My AP Biology Thoughts  Unit 3 Cellular Energetics

Welcome to My AP Biology Thoughts podcast, my name is Arthur Kim and I am your host for episode # called Unit 3 Cellular Energetics: ATP Structure, Synthesis, and Hydrolysis. Today we will be discussing the structure of ATP as well as the processes under which it is formed and broken down.

Segment 1: Introduction to ATP Structure, Synthesis, and Hydrolysis

•  ATP is basically the energy currency that our cells use in order to carry out their essential functions.
• It is comprised of the nitrogenous base adenine bonded to a ribose sugar, attached to which are three linked inorganic phosphate groups.  
• The reason why ATP is the energy currency is that a lot of energy is released when the bond between the last two phosphate groups is broken, specifically -57kJ/mol.  

Segment 2: More About ATP Structure, Synthesis, and Hydrolysis

•  ATP is synthesized through the phosphorylation, the adding of an inorganic phosphate group, of ADP. 
• Happens in two instances.
• The phosphorylation of ADP into ATP is a part of glycolysis, and overall, a net 2 ATP is produced.
• Synthesized by the enzyme, ATP synthase, which phosphorylates ADP into ATP when protons pass through it via chemiosmosis.  
• This means of synthesizing ATP is an essential aspect of both cellular respiration and photosynthesis.
• The proton gradient that allows ATP synthase to work is generated by the ETC.  
• Conversely, ATP is hydrolyzed by means of dephosphorylation, where the inorganic phosphate group at the end of the chain is broken off after the ATP molecule reacts with a water molecule.  
• As stated previously, this process is exothermic, providing the activation energy needed to carry out countless essential biochemical reactions.  

Segment 3: Connection to the Course

•  Being the main energy currency, ATP is a cornerstone for the function of almost all life on Earth.  
• As all biochemical reactions have an activation energy requirement to proceed, the hydrolysis of ATP is absolutely essential. 

 

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Music Credits:

• "Ice Flow"...