Re: We are studying ATP and ADP in my class. Can you explain it for me?

Hi Melissa,

I  found a nice website that has a tutorial that explains ATP and ADP:  http://www.biology-online.org/1/2_atp.htm. Here is what they have to say:

ATP stands for Adenosine Tri-Phosphate, and is the energy used by an 
organism in its daily operations. It consists of an adenosine molecule 
and three inorganic phosphates. After a simple reaction breaking down ATP 
to ADP, the energy released from the breaking of a molecular bond is the 
energy we use to keep ourselves alive.

ATP to ADP - Energy Release
This is done by a simple process, in which one of the phosphate molecules 
is broken off, therefore reducing the ATP from 3 phosphates to 2, forming 
ADP (Adenosine Diphosphate after removing one of the phosphates {Pi}). 
This is commonly wrote as ADP + Pi.

When the bond connecting the phosphate is broken, energy is released.

While ATP is constantly being used up by the body in its biological 
processes, the energy supply can be bolstered by new sources of glucose 
being made available via eating food which is then broken down by the 
digestive system to smaller particles that can be utilised by the body.

On top of this, ADP is built back up into ATP so that it can be used 
again in its more energetic state. Although this conversion requires 
energy, the process produces a net gain in energy, meaning that more 
energy is available by re-using ADP+Pi back into ATP.

There are also a number of nice responses in the MAd scientist archives 
regarding ATP and it's role in the cell.

Please try the following files: http://www.madsci.org/posts/archives/dec97/875044535.Bc.r.html http://www.madsci.org/posts/archives/feb2000/951174317.Bc.r.html http://www.madsci.org/posts/archives/jul99/930753406.Bc.r.html http://www.gwu.edu/~mpb/

Have fun with science!
Elsa