ATP AND THE

COUPLED
REACTION PROCESS
The Flow of Energy
Organisms are classified according to
their energy source:

•Autotrophs

•Heterotrophs
•What is the energy
currency of the
cells of autotrophs
and heterotrophs?
ADENOSINE • The common energy
TRIPHOSPHATE currency of cells.
• With one big molecule
that is made up of 5
smaller molecules bonded
together.
• Situation: Suppose you have two rechargeable batteries.
One is fully charged and the other one is almost empty. You
inserted each battery in each of the two flashlights. Predict
what will happen to the light emitted in the two flashlights.
Draw your prediction in the box provided.
The Structure of ATP
•In 1929, Karl Lohmann ( 1898-
1978), a German biochemist, was
given credit for discovering ATP
from extracts of muscles and liver.
The Structure of ATP
• Inosinic Acid was first discovered by
Justus von Liebig when he isolated the
compound by boiling certain amino acids
together , such as creatine and creatinine.
The Structure of ATP
• Lohman’s analysis on the ATP structure was in close
competition with other scientists but he succeeded
through acid hydrolysis. The colorless substance
yielded two moles of phosphoric acid, one mole of
adenine, and one mole of ribose-5-phosphate. This
structure was not confirmed until 20 years later.
ATP Structure and Hydrolysis
• ATP is an organic molecule used for short-term
energy storage and transport in the cell. It is
composed of three parts:
(1) a nitrogenous base (adenine),
(2) a sugar (ribose), and
(3)three phosphate groups (triphosphate)
 ATP
STRUCTUR
E
HYDROLYSIS OF ATP TO ADP
 ATP-ADP Cycle
• The hydrolysis of ATP to ADP is reversible. ATP and ADP are like
charged and uncharged forms of a rechargeable battery. ATP
(charged battery) has energy that can be used to power cellular
processes or reactions. Once the energy is used up, ADP
(uncharged battery/dead battery) needs to be recharged in order to
be used as a power source.
• ATP regeneration reaction is the reverse of hydrolysis reaction:
• Remember
• When ATP is broken down, energy is released
and ADP is formed.
• When ADP binds with another phosphate group,
energy is stored and ATP is formed.
 DIFFERENCE BETWEEN EXERGONIC
AND ENDERGONIC REACTIONS:
• Endergonic Reactions (Anabolic Reactions) are nonspontaneous
and usually occur in organisms, because they need to synthesize
complex molecules such as fats, amino acids, and sugars.

• Exergonic Reaction (Catabolic Reactions) are spontaneous or

favourable chemical reactions wherein the products are at a lower
energy level tan the reactants. In this case, the reactions release
more energy than what was required initially.
 WHAT IS COUPLED REACTION?

•Coupled reactions are described

as reactions that are joined together and
are used to push the second reaction with
the release of free energy in one reaction.
 The Circadian Rhythm

•Balance in anabolism and

catabolism is maintained by
the circadian rhythm, which
maintains regular or
patterned processes in the
body within a 24 – hour cycle.
QUIZ
MODIFIED TRUE OR FALSE

1. The main chemical compound

used by cells for energy is
adenosine diphosphate (ADP).
MODIFIED TRUE OR FALSE

2. The ribose of ATP is the

key to its ability to store and
supply energy.
MODIFIED TRUE OR FALSE

3. ATP releases energy when it

breaks bonds between its
phosphate groups.
MODIFIED TRUE OR FALSE

4. Endergonic reaction releases

energy while exergonic reaction
absorbs energy from the
surroundings.
MODIFIED TRUE OR FALSE

5. Energy coupling is the transfer

of energy from one chemical
reaction to another.