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ATP

Structure of an ATP molecule

Adenosine triphosphate is composed of adenine and three


phosphates, which are both attached to a central ribose.

Equation
Most energy in cells is passed from endergonic to exergonic reactions
via an intermediate ATP, which is a source of potential chemical
energy, which is universal (ever organism known contains ATP).
Formation of ATP requires energy input, but hydrolysis releases
energy.
ATP + H2O ADP + Pi
The LHS reaction is hydrolysis, but RHS is condensation releasing an
inorganic phosphate.

Immediate energy source


The two phosphate bonds (between the three phosphates of ATP) are
unstable, with low activation energy. Hence, can be easily broken.
When the bonds break, energy is released via an exergonic reaction.
The instability of these phosphate bonds is what makes ATP a bad
long-term energy store; instead serving as an immediate energy
source.
So cells dont store large supplies of ATP, just a few seconds supply
before e.g. glycogen (more long term energy store) intervenes.
The quick reversibility of ATP hydrolysis means ATP can quickly be
reformed from ADP and inorganic phosphate, so great amounts
arent needed at a time

Continual production

It is continuously made within the mitochondria of cells, as it cannot


be stored (its so unstable). Different cells have different sizes and
amounts of mitochondria depending on energy requirements:

More mitochondria = more ATP = more energy released!

ATP vs Glucose
ATP can be considered a better source of energy than glucose:
An individual ATP molecule releases less energy than an individual
glucose molecule. Hence, energy is released in smaller quantities so is
more manageable and controlled than when glucose releases huge
amounts in a gush.
Also, for ATP to release energy only one reaction needs to occur
(hydrolysis of ATP to ADP). The breakdown of glucose is a long series
of reactions, so it takes longer for energy to be released; hence,
glucose is not as immediate a source as ATP.

3 types of phosphorylation by which ATP is produced


Photophosphorylation
Takes place in chlorophyll containing plant cells during
photosynthesis
Oxidative phosphorylation
Occurs in mitochondria of P+A cells during electron transport

Substrate-level phosphorylation
Occurs in P+A cells when phosphate groups are transferred from
donor molecules to ADP, to make ATP

6 uses of ATP

1. Metabolic processes
ATP provides energy needed to build up macromolecules from
basic units; e.g. polysaccharides from monosaccharaides, or
polypeptide synthesis from amino acids
2. Movement
Provides energy for muscle contraction; muscle filaments slide
past each other and shorten overall length of a muscle fibre
3. Active transport
Changes shape of carrier proteins in plasma membranes
4. Secretion
Forms lysosomes necessary for secretion
5. Activation of molecules
When a phosphate molecule is transferred from ATP, the
molecule it is transferred to becomes more reactive and has a

reduced activation molecule. So ATP allows enzyme-catalysed


reactions to occur more readily.
6. Bioluminescence in courtship
Photocytes contain a group of substances known as luciferin.
Light is induced by oxidation of a luciferin pigment and emitted,
which makes the unique courtship flash possible, which is
emitted by flying males searching for females

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