Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) molecules are used for the synthesis of a large number of biomolecules. Which two actions happen when bonds in ATP molecules are broken?
Answers
Explanation:
ATP is an excellent energy storage molecule to use as "currency" due to the phosphate groups that link through phosphodiester bonds. These bonds are high energy because of the associated electronegative charges exerting a repelling force between the phosphate groups. A significant quantity of energy remains stored within the phosphate-phosphate bonds. Through metabolic processes, ATP becomes hydrolyzed into ADP, or further to AMP, and free inorganic phosphate groups. The process of ATP hydrolysis to ADP is energetically favorable, yielding a Gibbs free energy of -7.3 cal/mol.[1] ATP must continuously undergo replenishment to fuel the ever-working cell. The routine intracellular concentration of ATP is 1 to 10 uM.[2] Many feedback mechanisms are in place to ensure the maintenance of a consistent level of ATP in the cell. The enhancement or inhibition of ATP synthase is a common regulatory mechanism. For example, ATP inhibits phosphofructokinase-1 (PFK1) and pyruvate kinase, two key enzymes in glycolysis, effectively acting as a negative feedback loop to inhibit the breakdown of glucose when there is sufficient cellular ATP.