ATP Structure ATP (adenosine triphosphate) type of nucleotide nitrogenous base adenine sugar ribose three phosphate groups. Fig. 6.8a Copyright © 2002 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Benjamin Cummings

The bonds between phosphate groups can be broken by hydrolysis. ATP -> ADP + Pi Bonds broken = Released ENERGY Fig. 6.8b Copyright © 2002 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Benjamin Cummings

Why such a good source of energy? Phosphate bonds of ATP are High-energy Unstable (phosphates repel each other) Weak (easily broken) Copyright © 2002 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Benjamin Cummings

Renewable Resource! ATP can be regenerated by adding a phosphate group to ADP. ATP used is regenerated to create more energy for the cell Catabolism = energy from other spontaneous reactions in the cell. Fig. 6.10 Copyright © 2002 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Benjamin Cummings