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Remember the burst of energy you get after a run or a workout or even the steady stamina you carry throughout the day, well you can thank ATP for that. ATP is the energy of the body and fuels every single cell in your body. Throughout this article, we will explore how crucial this biological molecule is to our bodies and what is happening, every time we require energy.
What Is ATP and Why is It Important?
Adenosine triphosphate is commonly known as ATP. Looking at the molecule, we can see that it is composed of adenosine, a molecule, and a ribose sugar, with three phosphate groups, hence the name adenosine triphosphate. ATP is not an energy molecule, but the process of hydrolysis produces a burst of chemical energy. Hydrolysis is the process of separating a molecule into two parts using a water molecule. In the case of ATP, hydrolysis occurs on one of the phosphate groups and is removed. This converts the ATP molecule into Adenosine Diphosphate (ADP), which has only two phosphate groups (Britannica, 2018).
ATP powers all our cells with energy, transports molecules and synthesizes other molecules and without ATP we wouldn't be able to undergo any chemical processes. ATP is also a sustainable molecule that once it has undergone hydrolysis it has the ability to become ATP again.
The Mighty Mitochondria: ATP’s Power Plant
Given that many organelles in our cells require ATP to carry out their chemical processes, ATP can be found in a variety of locations, but its primary location is the Mitochondria. The main function of mitochondria in the cell is to take glucose and use the energy stored in its chemical bonds to produce ATP through a process known as cellular respiration (Kiddle.co (2019)). The mitochondria is made up of many parts, but it's five primary structures are:
the outer mitochondrial membrane,
the intermembrane space
the cristae space (formed by infoldings of the inner membrane)
the inner membrane
the matrix (space within the inner membrane containing the mitochondrial DNA)
The Role of Cellular Respiration in Making ATP
Cellular respiration is the process that converts food into usable energy for your cells, and it occurs primarily in the mitochondria. It occurs in three stages: glycolysis, Krebs cycle, and electron transport chain. Glycolysis breaks down glucose into smaller molecules, producing energy. The Krebs cycle then processes these molecules more, producing high-energy carriers. Finally, the electron transport chain uses these carriers to generate ATP, which is the primary energy source for cells. Oxygen is essential in this final step, as it helps generate the majority of ATP (Science Facts (2021)).
ATP’s Role in Cellular Communication
ATP is best known as the cell's energy currency but also plays important roles in cellular communication and regulation. It functions as a signalling molecule, allowing cells to communicate with one another, particularly in the nervous system, where it affects neurotransmitter release. ATP also plays an important role in cell signalling pathways, activating proteins and enzymes that regulate a variety of processes such as cell growth and repair. It contributes to ion balance across cell membranes, allowing nerve impulses and muscle contractions. In addition, ATP is involved in DNA and RNA synthesis, which is critical for genetic information transfer. Therefore it shows how vital ATP is to our bodies and our cells (The Science Hive (2021)).
Reference list
Britannica (2018). adenosine triphosphate. In: Encyclopædia Britannica. [online] Available at: https://www.britannica.com/science/adenosine-triphosphate.
BYJUS. (n.d.). ATP - Energy Currency of the Cell - Structure and its Functions. [online] Available at: https://byjus.com/biology/energy-currency-of-the-cell/.
Kiddle.co. (2019). Mitochondria Facts for Kids. [online] Available at: https://kids.kiddle.co/Mitochondria.
Quizlet (n.d.). Diagram of ATP and ADP. [online] Quizlet. Available at: https://quizlet.com/353000644/atp-and-adp-diagram/.
Science Facts. (2021). Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) – Definition, Structure, & Diagram. [online] Available at: https://www.sciencefacts.net/adenosine-triphosphate-atp.html.
The Science Hive (2021). Respiration. [online] the science hive. Available at: https://www.thesciencehive.co.uk/respiration-a-level.
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