Transcript No Slide Title

Food molecules are the $1,000 dollar bills of energy
storage. They function as fuel molecules, storing
large quantities of energy in a stable form over long
periods of time. They are the long-term energy
currency of the cell.
•For short term energy storage
adenosine triphosphate
(ATP) is require “currency”.
•This molecule acts as shortterm energy for the cell and
provides an easy and available
source of energy.
Adenosine Triphosphate
Blue = ribose (a 5-carbon sugar)
Green = adenine (a nitrogenous base)
Yellow = phosphate groups
*Energy is stored in the bonds joining the
phosphate groups (yellow).
•ATP collects small packets of energy from
the food-burning power plants of the cell
(mitochondria) and transports this energy
to where it is needed.
•Some energy in ATP is released to do
work, such as move muscles or force a
seedling out of the ground. At other
times, ATP gives up its energy to a
nonspontaneous synthetic reaction, such
as the formation of sucrose.
Within the mitochondria of a cell,
there is energy that is used to
add one molecule of inorganic
phosphate (P) to a molecule of
adenosine diphosphate (ADP).
ADP + P + Energy (stored) --->
ATP
At the energy-requiring site,
the last phosphate group in
the tail is broken off and the
energy in the bond liberated.
ATP --> ADP + P + Energy (released)
The ATP-ADP
Cycle. Energy is
needed for the
formation of
ATP and is
released as the
ATP is
converted back
to ADP and
phosphate.
Life's energy currency, ATP
•All living organisms, from bacteria, fungi, spinach
and worms to crocodiles and humans, use ATP for
energy conversion.
•Originally, the energy comes from the sun.
•Plants capture the light energy during
photosynthesis and convert it to chemical energy
as ATP. Using this energy, plants produce
carbohydrates, fats and proteins which are eaten
by animals and human beings.
•In metabolism, the food is broken down and the
energy released is used to make ATP.
Every day an adult converts a quantity
of ATP corresponding to at least half his
or her body weight, and nearly a ton
during a day of hard work.