02.04 Cellular Energy

What is a difference between ATP and ADP molecules?

ATP has three phosphate groups, while ADP has two phosphate groups.

Describe the relationship between ATP and ADP and the importance of this relationship within a cell.

ATP is like a fully charged battery, and ADP is partially charged. When ATP gives off energy and the ATP becomes ADP. The ADP regains it's last phosphate then becomes ATP again and the cycle repeats.

Why do cells use fat and starch for long-term energy storage instead of ATP molecules?

It is hard to break down fat in a short amount of time, but it is very easy to breakdown ATP in a short amount of time. ATP is short-term, while fat is long-term.

Do your cells use food to directly power their various functions? Explain your answer.

No they can't. Our food needs to digest into glucose, then the glucose will be transferred into ATP. The ATP will be used to power the cells various functions.

Which of the following releases energy?

Removing a phosphate group from an ATP molecule

What molecules can be used for long-term energy storage?

Starch and fat

Electricity is added to recharge a battery. What is added to ADP to form ATP?

a third phosphate group