ATP-ADP Cycle
Prepared by: Jenelyn Galenzoga
ATP: The Cell’s Currency
Life processes require a constant supply of
energy.
Cells use energy that is stored in the bonds
of certain organic molecules.
Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is a
molecule that transfers energy from the
breakdown of food molecules to cell
processes.
ATP: Structure
Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is the most
important biological molecule that supplies
energy to the cell.
A molecule of ATP is composed of three parts
bonded together by “high energy” bonds:
1. A nitrogenous base (adenine)
2. • A sugar (ribose)
3. • Three phosphate groups (triphosphate)
ATP
Adenine Ribose 3 Phosphate groups
Where does ATP come from?
ATP comes indirectly from the food that we
eat.
Molecules of carbohydrates (glucose) and
lipids are broken down through the process
of cellular respiration to produce ATP.
ATP-ADP Cycle
The energy stored in ATP is released when a phosphate
group is removed from the molecule.
ATP has three phosphate groups, but the bond holding
the third phosphate groups is very easily broken.
When the phosphate is removed, ATP becomes ADP—
adenosine diphosphate
A phosphate is released into the cytoplasm and energy
is released.
ADP is a lower energy molecule than ATP, but can be
converted to ATP by the addition of a phosphate group.
ATP → ADP + phosphate + energy available for cell
processes
Steps in the ADP-ATP Cycle
To supply cells with energy, a “high energy”
bond in ATP is broken. ADP is formed and a
phosphate is released back into the
cytoplasm.
ATP ADP + phosphate +
energy
Steps in the ADP-ATP Cycle
As the cell requires more energy, ADP
becomes ATP when a free phosphate
attaches to the ADP molecule. Then
energy needed to create an ATP molecule
is much less than the amount of energy
produced when the bond is broken.
ADP + phosphate + energy
ATP
How do you “recharge” the battery?
ADP is continually converted to ATP by the
addition of a phosphate during the process of
cellular respiration.
ATP carries much more energy than ADP.
As the cell requires more energy, it uses energy
from the breakdown of food molecules to attach
a free phosphate group to an ADP molecule in
order to make ATP.
ADP + phosphate + energy from breakdown of
food molecules→ ATP
When is ATP used?
ATP is consumed in the cell by energy-
requiring processes and can be generated by
energy-releasing processes.
In this way ATP transfers energy between
separate biochemical reactions in the cell.
ATP is the main energy source for the majority
of cellular functions.
This includes the production of organic
molecules, including DNA and, and proteins.
ATP also plays a critical role in the transport of
organic molecules across cell membranes, for
example during exocytosis and endocytosis
Types of Reactions
Exergonic(energy-yielding)
Produces ATP
Ex. Cellular respiration
Endergonic (energy-requiring) reactions
Requires ATP
Ex. Photosynthesis
ATP VS ADP
ATP ADP
Main energy source for the cell Contains Less energy
Contains 3 phosphate groups Contains 2 phosphate groups
(triphosphate) (diphosphate)
ATP Production
Overview: Life Is Work
Living cells require energy from outside
sources
Some animals, such as the giant panda, obtain
energy by eating plants, and some animals feed
on other organisms that eat plants
Energy flows into an ecosystem as sunlight and
leaves as heat
Photosynthesis generates O2 and organic
molecules, which are used in cellular
respiration
Cells use chemical energy stored in organic
molecules to regenerate ATP, which powers
work
Adenosine Tri-Phosphate (ATP)
ATP is the energy unit of the cell.
ATP is composed of an Adeno. Group, a sugar
group and three phosphates.
ATP is easily recycled.
The cell converts Adenosine Di-Phosphate
(ADP) into ATP by the addition of a
phosphate.
An Overview of how ATP
is Produced
Fig. 9-2
Light
energy
ECOSYSTEM
Photosynthesis
in chloroplasts
Organic
CO2 + H2O
molecules+ O2
Cellular respiration
in mitochondria
ATP
ATP powers most cellular work
Heat
energy
