ATP & Energy Transfer

• Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP)

  • molecule consists of adenosine & 3 phosphates
  • provides energy for digestion, nerve transmission & muscular transmission
  • food we eat can be stored in the body as amino acids, triglycerides & glycogen ready to be used as fuel for energy production
  • when metabolised the fuel are converted to ATP
• ATP Breakdown

  • ATP is stored in the muscle cells & is the only immediate available energy source
  • ATPase is the enzyme that breaks down ATP
  • the breakdown of ATP is what gives us energy to perform tasks
  • it is broken down into ADP & a single phosphate
  • ATP -> ADP + P + energy
  • this is an exothermic reaction as the reaction is producing energy
• ATP Resynthesis

  • to continue exercising, the body needs to rebuild the high energy bond between ADP & a single phosphate
  • ATP in the muscle cells exhausts quickly & only lasts 2-3s
  • ADP + P + energy -> ATP
  • endothermic reaction as the reaction is using up energy