what is ATP ?

Question

What is ATP ? 

Answer 1

ATP, otherwise known as adenosine triphosphate, is the main source of energy for cells. ATP has a backbone that consists of an adenine molecule (a nitrogenous base) and a ribose sugar, which is attached to three phosphate groups. When the bond is broken on the phosphate group at the end of the molecule, it releases energy. This energy is used to do various cellular processes. Once this occurs, it is known as adenosine diphosphate (or ADP) as it has lost one of its phosphate groups. ATP is created primarily through converting glucose through a series of chemical reactions. Glucose undergoes glycolysis (glyco meaning sugar and lysis meaning breakdown), the tricarboxylic acid cycle (or TCA/Krebs cycle), and finally oxidative phosphorylation to create a total of 32 molecules of ATP. If you want to go over any of these processes in more detail, feel free to sign up for a session with me.

Answer 2

ATP stands for adenosine triphosphate.  It has three phosphate bonds that carry energy. when these bonds are broken, energy is released into the system. 

 

ATP is generated by oxidative phosphorylation in the mitochondria. majority of it is produced by anaerobic respiration , a little bu anaerobic respiration by breakdown of glucose.  

Answer 3

Another point of clarification:

 

From above:

"Prokaryotic cells do not have mitochondria, so are generally limited to anaerobic respiration."

 

---------

 

I just wanted to point out that many prokaryotic cells do produce energy through aerobic respiration and the molecular machinery used is very similar to that in mitochondria. In fact, the mitochondria in eukaryotic cells are thought to be descendants of from free-living aerobic bacteria. In prokaryotes the proteins of the electron transport chain are located in the plasma membrane. In eukaryotes they are in the inner mitochondrial membrane.

Answer 4

When energy is produced from glucose in the cells, it is used to make bond between 3 phosphates and 1 Adenosine to form Adenosine TriPhosphate(ATP). In this way that energy of glucose is stored in ATP. Whenever energy in the cells is needed, this reactions takes place:

 

A-P-P-P (ATP) ----------> A-P-P (ADP) + P + ENERGY

 

Above reaction is reversed when energy from glucose break down is needed to be stored.

 

ATP is just like a cheque and energy produced from it is currency.

Answer 5

A few points of clarification:

 

ATP is an energy carrying molecule, not energy itself. The energy is carried in the bond of the third phosphate group. It is produced by the breakdown of glucose in respiration. In aerobic respiration, most ATP is generated in the mitochondria, however glycolysis (the first step in both respiration pathways) occurs in the cytoplasm. Prokaryotic cells do not have mitochondria, so are generally limited to anaerobic respiration. The energy is utilized within the cell it is generated; ATP is not usually transferred to other parts of the organism.

 

Hope this helps

 

Mike

Answer 6

ATP is short for adenosine triphosphate.  This is the energy that is transferred by the cell during aerobic and anaerobic respiration, when the mitochondria breaks down the nutrients that is taken into the body.  The cells transfer the energy throughout the body for organisms to utilize.