Biological molecules (AQA AS Biology) PART 6 of 8 TOPICS

ATP:

ATP (Adenosine triphosphate) is a single molecule made up of adenine, ribose and three inorganic phosphate groups.

ATP is made in a condensation reaction between ADP (Adenosine diphosphate) and and inorganic phosphate group (Pi) and is catalysed by the enzyme ATP synthase. The reverse reaction is hydrolysis is catalysed by the enzyme ATP hydrolase. NB: A tip on remembering what each enzyme does to avoid confusion; Synthase sounds like synthesis which means to make something therefore ATP Synthase helps to make ATP. As one enzyme makes ATP the other breaks it.

Hydrolysis can be coupled to energy required reactions such as respiration within cells which is covered in a powerpoint made for A2 AQA Biology.

The inorganic phosphates can be used to phosphorylate other compounds often to make them more reactive.

] As you can see, ATP is quite a small topic at AQA. This is all based on the exam boards spec which is explained in a little more detail to help you understand the points which are only said briefly on the specification [