Asked by tatiana lopez on Jul 17, 2024
Verified
How does the ability of ATP to transfer a phosphate group make it pivotal in the overall energy metabolism of a cell?
Phosphate Group
A functional group consisting of a phosphorus atom bonded to four oxygen atoms, important in energy transfer.
ATP
Adenosine Triphosphate, an organic compound that provides energy to drive many processes in living cells, including muscle contraction, nerve impulse propagation, and chemical synthesis.
Energy Metabolism
The process by which living organisms produce energy, through the conversion of food into usable chemical energy.
- Describe the function of ATP within energy metabolism.
- Comprehend the fundamentals of reaction coupling and its significance within metabolic pathways.
Verified Answer
TT
Tommy Troya PinJul 22, 2024
Final Answer :
When ATP is hydrolyzed to ADP + Pi, energy is released which can be used to drive endergonic reactions in the cell. One way in which this occurs is via phosphorylation reactions in which the Pi is transferred to another molecule, thus energizing that molecule. In other cases, the Pi is simply released into the cell in a way that couples the exergonic hydrolysis of ATP with an endergonic reaction. The central role of ATP in metabolism is shown in Fig. 7-6. That is, some of the energy released in exergonic reactions can be used to phosphorylate ADP forming ATP. The energy thus stored in ATP can be released at a later time when ATP is hydrolyzed.
Learning Objectives
- Describe the function of ATP within energy metabolism.
- Comprehend the fundamentals of reaction coupling and its significance within metabolic pathways.