ATPThe Energy Currency of Living Organisms

Objectives•Understand the molecule ATP

Expected outcome•Describe the structure of ATP

•Explain how ATP is broken down and synthesised

•Explain why ATP is known as the universal energy currency

Why do organisms need energy?

Why do organisms need energy?Metabolism- chemical reactions

Active transport- moving ions and molecules against a concentration gradient

Movement- within an organism and locomotion

Cell division- division, maintenance and repair of organelles

Synthesis of molecules- e.g. enzymes and hormones

Maintaining body temperature- in birds and mammals (endotherms), replacing heat lost to the environment.

The energy comes from ATP•Adenosine Triphosphate•3 components;

•Adenine•Ribose•3 Phosphate groups

ATP Molecule

How ATP produces energy• The breakdown of ATP releases the energy that

living organisms require.

ATP Breakdown

Adenosine Pi Pi Pi

H2O

30Kj

Adenosine diphosphate

ADP

Recycling ATP

ATP ADP Pi

Energy Release to Cells

Energy from respirationhttp://www.biologyinmotion.com/atp/index.html

Roles•Metabolism•Synthesis e.g.•Polysaccharides•Amino acids•DNA/RNA

•Movement•Muscle contraction•Energy to allow muscle filaments to slide

Roles•Active Transport•Changes the shape of carrier proteins

•Secretion•Forms the lysosomes necessary for

exocytosis

•Chemical Reactions•A phosphate molecule from ATP can be

transferred to another molecule•Makes it more reactive•Lowers activation energy

The Universal Energy Currency•ATP is a universal energy currency

•What does this mean?

•What is the significance?

The Universal Energy Currency• What does this mean?• Common intermediate in many reactions• Links energy requiring and energy producing

reactions

• What is the significance?• It is universal with all living things• Easily participates in many reactions• Drives most biological processes• One molecule can be synthesised and perform a

large number of jobs• Only one system is used to deliver to many reactions

Homework•1. Create a poster on A4 paper to advertise

ATP- your new “energy” currency•Include:•A description of the molecule•An explanation of how it works•The advantageous features of the molecule

•You will also gain marks for creativity and organisation

•2. Background reading for next lesson: glycolysis

•http://www.emc.maricopa.edu/faculty/farabee/BIOBK/BioBookGlyc.html#Glycolysis