Adenosine Triphosphate.

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Sean Fang

Adenosine Triphosphate

All living organisms require a continuous supply of energy to survive. At any one time there are millions of chemical reactions occurring simultaneously, with some reactions requiring energy and others releasing energy. The combination of simultaneous interrelated chemical reactions taking place at any given time in a cell at any given time is referred to as metabolism.

Energy is needed in biological organisms for:   -     synthesis of chemicals

  • active transport
  • mechanical movement

The three processes that are listed above are classified as work, which is done by a living organism. There are two main types of reactions which occur in all cells; energy requiring reactions – endergonic, and energy yielding reactions – exergonic. In cells, most energy requiring reactions are involved in synthesizing needed biological molecules – amino acids, nucleic acids, fats, proteins and carbohydrates. Together, these biosynthetic reactions are called anabolism. Conversely, most energy yielding reactions in cells breakdown molecules to obtain building blocks, release energy or digest waste products. Together, these degradative reactions are called catabolism.  

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 In order for a living organism to do work endergonic reactions must be linked with exergonic reactions. The energy that the body requires is provided by respiration where the aerobic oxidation of a glucose molecule provides 2870 kJ of energy. Respiration is not just one big reaction but is in-fact a series of small steps with each reactions being regulated by enzymes. The enzymes help to lower the activation energy of glucose so that aerobic respiration can take place relatively easily. Theoretically, the energy released from respiration could be harnessed in the cell so that it can be used to do ...

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