Role of ATP and NAD

H2.2.8 Syllabus Objectives

• Explain the role of ATP and describe how it is
formed from ADP + P
• Explain the role of NADP+ in trapping and
transferring electrons and hydrogen ions in cell
activities
Energy Carriers
• ATP , NADP+ and NAD+ play a vital role in
trapping and transferring energy in cellular
activities
ADP and ATP
• ADP is an abbreviation for Adenosine
Diphosphate this is a molecule found in the cells
of all organisms

• It is made of the base adenine , a 5 carbon sugar

called ribose and 2 phosphate groups

• ADP is a low energy molecule

ADP and ATP
• If another phosphate is added to ADP it forms
ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate)
• Extra energy is also added as there is an extra
bond between the last two phosphate groups
• Addition of a phosphate like this is called
Phosphorylation
• ATP is rich in energy and stores this energy
carrying it around in the cell
ADP and ATP
• ATP cannot store energy for very long it breaks
down releasing energy and converting back to
ADP
• Most cells release energy from ATP 10 million
times every second! This energy is used for
cellular reactions
Learning Check
• What do ADP and ATP stand for?
• What base is found in ATP and ADP?
• What sugar is found in ATP and ADP?
• Which is a higher energy molecule?
• How does ADP become ATP?
• This process is called p..................................
• How is the energy in ATP released?
NADP+ and NADPH
• NADP+ is a low energy molecule involved in
photosynthesis
• NADP+ can combine with 2 high energy
electrons and a proton to form NADPH
• NADPH is a very high energy molecule
• It’s energy is used to form glucose in
photosynthesis
NADP+ and NAD
• NAD+ is used in respiration

• It can combine with 2 high energy electrons and

a proton to form NADH which is very high in
energy

• Remember P for photosynthesis, NADP+ is used

in photosynthesis NAD+ in respiration
• Both NADH and NADPH release energy and
protons when they break down into NAD+ and
NADP+

• These electrons, protons and energy are used by

cells
Learning Check
• Is NADP+ used in photosynthesis or
respiration?
• What combines with NAD+ and NADP+ to form
NADH and NADPH?
• What do NADH and NADPH provide for
reactions in cells?
• How do they provide these things?
END