Answer to Question #123652 in Biochemistry for Sreelakshmi

Question

. A molecule of ATP is usually consumed within a minute after synthesis, and the average human adult requires about 65 kg of ATP per day. However, at any given instance, human body contains at max about 50 grams of ATP and ADP combined, how it is possible that so much ATP can be utilized? (4 marks)
(b) Does ATP have a role in energy storage? (3 marks)

Answer 1

a) Almost all cells in the body of an organism use ATP for energy. This ATP is a molecule responsible for the transfer of energy produced when ADP molecules are broken down through hydrolysis to release energy to be used in the cell processes. ATP is synthesized and broken down by the cells in order to obtain energy from them. Cells synthesize ATP from the ADP and phosphate in a process known as cellular respiration. All cellular processes entirely utilize most of the energy produced from ATP through hydrolysis. Besides, ATP serves as a cofactor for signal transduction reactions through the use of different kinds of kinases and as well as adenylyl cyclase.

ATP + H₂0 ⇋ ADP + Pi + energy

b) The ATP molecules are responsible for storing energy in the form of a high energy phosphate bond, which joins the terminal phosphate group to the rest of the molecules. Thus, energy is stored in one specific location of the cell, which is finally dispersed to other parts of the cell, where it can be used to facilitate the cell's biochemical reactions. The energy stored in one specific cell location in the form of ATP is finally released from ATP after the terminal phosphate bond is broken down. This results in the detachment of the phosphate group yielding inorganic phosphate and as well as ADP that results in the release of energy.