ATP

• What is ATP?

  Adenosine triphosphate
• Describe the structure of ATP

  ● Ribose bound to a molecule of adenine (base) and 3 phosphate groups

  ● Nucleotide derivative (modified nucleotide)
• Describe how ATP is broken down

  ● ATP (+ water)→ ADP + Pi

  ● Hydrolysis reaction, using a water molecule

  ● Catalysed by ATP hydrolase
• Give two ways in which the hydrolysis of ATP is used in cells

  ● Coupled to energy requiring reactions within cells

  ○ Eg. active transport, protein synthesis

  ● Inorganic phosphate released can be used to phosphorylate other compounds, making them more reactive
• Describe how ATP is resynthesised in cells

  ● ADP + Pi → ATP (+ water)

  ● Condensation reaction, removing a water molecule

  ● Catalysed by ATP synthase

  ● During respiration and photosynthesis
• Suggest how the properties of ATP make it a suitable immediate source of energy for cells

  ● Releases energy in small amounts so little energy lost as heat

  ● Single reaction hydrolysed to release energy so immediate release

  ● Cannot pass out of cell