why does ATP have high potential energy?

Question

a. Four negative charges clustered together in the three phosphate groups raise the potential energy of the bonds.

b. The repulsion between ribose and the phosphate groups raises the potential energy of ATP.

c. The bond between adenine and ribose has high potential energy.

d. None of the above.

Answer 1

For this question, the answer is a. The repulsion between the negative charges in the phosphate groups raises the potential energy of the bonds.

There are at least two additional factors though. Cleaving an ATP into two chunks increases entropy. This is always favorable to a process. In addition, ATP is usually functioning in an aqueous environment. When a phosphate or pyrophosphate is cleaved from ATP, more surface area is exposed and allows for more extensive interaction with the solvent. This is also favorable to cleavage.