4.

1 Chemical Energy and ATP

4.1 Chemical Energy and ATP

Chemical Energy

• The cells of living organisms need chemical energy for all of

their processes.
• This energy stored in the bonds of carbon-based molecules but
it is usable only when this molecules broken down to form ATP
(Adenosine triphosphate).
4.1 Chemical Energy and ATP

• ATP: molecule that transfer chemical energy from the

breakdown of food molecules to cell processes. has (3)
phosphate groups.

• ADP: lower energy molecule that have (2) phosphate group

and can be converted into ATP by addition of phosphate group.
4.1 Chemical Energy and ATP

• The removal of third phosphate group usually involves a

reaction that release energy and produce ADP.

• The conversion from ATP to ADP and vice versa is a complex

process but it can be represented simply by this cycle.

phosphate removed
4.1 Chemical Energy and ATP

Energy supply in different living organisms

A.Photosynthetic organisms:
 Rely directly on photosynthesis to make their food (sugars)
which broken down to form ATP.
4.1 Chemical Energy and ATP

B.Organisms getting food from photosynthetic organisms:

• Rely indirectly on photosynthesis; through getting food from
these organisms.
• These different foods provide different amounts of ATP.

Carbohydrates Lipids Proteins

Most commonly Less likely to be
Energy storehouse in
broken down to broken down to
body (80 % of energy)
make ATP make ATP
4 calories/mg 9 calories/mg 4 calories/mg
Typical triglyceride =
Glucose = 36 ATP
146 ATP
4.1 Chemical Energy and ATP

C.Chemosynthetic organisms:
 Organisms live in very hot water
near cracks in the ocean floor
called hydrothermal vents; that
release chemical compounds like
sulfides that can serve as an
energy source.
 Do not rely on photosynthesis at
all to make their own food but
make it through chemosynthesis.
 Chemosynthesis: process by
which some organisms use
chemical energy instead of light
energy to make energy-storing
carbon-based molecules.