Energy Transformation:

ATP – ADP Cycle

 Objective:
Explain coupled reaction processes and describe the
role of ATP in energy coupling and transfer
Energy and Its Forms
 Energy
 Energy is the capacity to cause change. It is also the ability to rearrange a
collection of matter. In the environment different forms of energy exist:
Kinetic, Light and Potential energy.
 Energy is defined as the ability to do work.
 Energy can be found in many things and can take different forms.
 Energy is never lost, but it can be converted from one form to another.
 Forms of Energy
Kinetic Energy

 The energy associated with an

object’s motion
 Example:
 A speeding bullet, a walking
person, and electromagnetic
radiation like light all have kinetic
energy
Thermal Energy
 type of kinetic energy associated with
random movement of atoms.
 When thermal energy is transferred in the
form of heat.
 The energy that comes from the temperature
of the heated substance
 It is produced when a rise in temperature
causes atoms and molecules to move faster
and collide with each other.
 Example:
 Thermal energy from a hot stove is
transferred to a metal pot and causes the
water molecules to move faster increasing the
temperature of the water.
 Forms of Energy
Light Energy
 Light Energy- main energy source is the sun and
powers photosynthesis (anabolic process).

 is the only form of energy that we can actually see

directly.
 It is formed through chemical, radiation, and
mechanical means.
 Light energy can also be converted into other forms of
energy.
 Examples:
 lightened candle, flash light, fire, Electric bulb,
kerosene lamp, stars and other luminous bodies
 Forms of Energy
Potential Energy
• the energy held by an object
because of its position relative to
other objects, stresses within itself,
its electric charge, or other factors.
• possessed energy of a matter at rest
(non- moving form)
Example:
the heavy ball of a demolition
machine is storing energy when it is
held at an elevated position
 Forms of Energy
Chemical Energy
 is energy stored in the bonds of chemical
compounds (atoms and molecules).
 Chemical energy is released in a chemical
reaction, often in the form of heat.
 Example:
 we use the chemical energy in fuels like
wood, coal by burning them.
Laws of Energy
Transformation
 Thermodynamics
• It is the study of energy transformations that occurs in a system.
Three Types of Systems
– An open system can exchange both energy and matter with its
surroundings.
– A closed system, on the other hand, can exchange only energy with
its surroundings, not matter.
– An isolated system is one that cannot exchange either matter or
energy with its surroundings.
 First Law of
Thermodynamics
• states that “energy cannot be created
or destroyed. “
• It can only change form or be
transferred from one object to
another.
 Second Law of
Thermodynamics
• states that “every energy transfer
that takes place will increase the
entropy of the universe and reduce
the amount of usable energy
available to do work”.
 First Law of Thermodynamics
conservation of energy among processes

Second Law of Thermodynamics

directionality of the processes
The Flow of Energy
• All life on earth depends on
the flow of energy through
ecosystems
• All energy on the earth
ultimately comes from the
sun
 Autotrophs

 Organisms capable of making their

own food.
 Plants are photoautotrophs
 They use light energy from the sun
to produce glucose (sugar)
 Heterotrophs
 Organisms not capable of making their own food
 They are consumers of the biosphere
 They must eat plants, or other animals who eat plants to
acquire indirectly the energy from the sun
Pyramid of Energy
ATP-ADP Cycle
What is the energy currency of
the cells of autotrophs and
heterotrophs?
 Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP)
 ATP is the organic compound composed of the
phosphate groups, adenine, and the sugar ribose.
These molecules provide energy for various
biochemical processes in the body. Therefore, it is
called “Energy Currency of the Cell”. These ATP
molecules are synthesized by Mitochondria, therefore
it is called powerhouse of the cell.

 The ATP molecule was discovered in the year 1929 by

German chemist Karl Lohmann. Later in the year 1948,
Scottish biochemist Alexander Todd was the first
person to synthesize the ATP molecule.

 ATP – the energy-carrying molecules are found in the

cells of all living things. These organic molecules
function by capturing the chemical energy obtained
from the digested food molecules and are later released
for different cellular processes.
 Hydrolysis of ATP
ATP is hydrolyzed into ADP in the following
reaction:
ATP+H2O→ADP+Pi+free energy

Like most chemical reactions, the hydrolysis of

ATP to ADP is reversible. The reverse reaction
combines ADP + Pi to regenerate ATP from ADP.
Since ATP hydrolysis releases energy, ATP
synthesis must require an input of free energy.

ADP is combined with a phosphate to form ATP

in the following reaction: ADP+Pi+free
energy→ATP+H2O
 The Regeneration of ATP
When a phosphate breaks off,
through chemical reactions in a cell,
energy is released which the plant uses
for cellular processes.
The lower energy Adenosine
Diphosphate (ADP) is then re-
energized during photosynthesis as
the phosphate group is re-attached,
thus completing the cycle of ATP to
ADP to ATP.
 How is Energy Produced by the ATP molecules?
 The three phosphate groups present in this ATP
molecule are called high energy bonds as they
are involved in the liberation of a huge amount
of energy when they are broken. This molecule
provides energy for various life processes
without which life cannot exist.

 It is used by various enzymes and structural

proteins in cellular processes like biosynthetic
reactions and cell division. This “energy
currency of the cell” is produced during 
cellular respiration where a digested simple
molecule of food is utilized.
 Key concepts of ATP/ADP Cycle
• ATP contains MORE energy than ADP because it has more
bonds.
• When a phosphate is REMOVED energy is
RELEASED.
• When a phosphate is ADDED energy is NEEDED.
 Importance of ATP Molecule in Metabolism
 These ATP molecules can be recycled after every reaction.
 ATP molecule provides energy for both the exergonic and endergonic processes.
 ATP serves as an extracellular signalling molecule and acts as a neurotransmitter in both
central and peripheral nervous systems.
 It is the only energy, which can be directly used for different metabolic process. Other
forms of chemical energy need to be converted into ATP before they can be used.
 It plays an important role in the Metabolism – A life-sustaining chemical reactions
including cellular division, fermentation, photosynthesis, photophosphorylation, aerobic
respiration, protein synthesis, exocytosis, endocytosis and motility.
Energy Content of Biomolecules
MOLECULES ENERGY

Carbohydrates 4 calories per mg

Lipids 9 calories per mg

Proteins 4 calories per mg