1. The Energy Currency of Living Organisms
ATP
The Energy Currency of Living Organisms

2. Objectives
Understand the molecule ATP

3. Expected outcome Describe the structure of ATP
Explain how ATP is broken down and synthesised
Explain why ATP is known as the universal energy currency

4. Why do organisms need energy?

5. Why do organisms need energy?
Metabolism- chemical reactions
Active transport- moving ions and molecules against a concentration gradient
Movement- within an organism and locomotion
Cell division- division, maintenance and repair of organelles
Synthesis of molecules- e.g. enzymes and hormones
Maintaining body temperature- in birds and mammals (endotherms), replacing heat lost to the environment.

6. The energy comes from ATP
Adenosine Triphosphate
3 components;
Adenine
Ribose
3 Phosphate groups

7. ATP Molecule

8. How ATP produces energy
The breakdown of ATP releases the energy that living organisms require.

9. ATP Breakdown Hydrolysis H2O 30Kj Pi Pi Pi Adenosine
Adenosine diphosphate
ADP
H2O

10. Recycling ATP Hydrolysis Condensation ATP ADP Pi
Energy Release to Cells
Hydrolysis
ATP
ADP Pi
Condensation
Energy from respiration

11. Roles Metabolism Synthesis e.g. Polysaccharides Amino acids DNA/RNA
Movement
Muscle contraction
Energy to allow muscle filaments to slide

12. Roles Active Transport Changes the shape of carrier proteins Secretion
Forms the lysosomes necessary for exocytosis
Chemical Reactions
A phosphate molecule from ATP can be transferred to another molecule
Makes it more reactive
Lowers activation energy

13. The Universal Energy Currency
ATP is a universal energy currency
What does this mean?
What is the significance?

14. The Universal Energy Currency
What does this mean?
Common intermediate in many reactions
Links energy requiring and energy producing reactions
What is the significance?
It is universal with all living things
Easily participates in many reactions
Drives most biological processes
One molecule can be synthesised and perform a large number of jobs
Only one system is used to deliver to many reactions

15. 1. Create a poster on A4 paper to advertise ATP- your new “energy” currency
Include:
A description of the molecule
An explanation of how it works
The advantageous features of the molecule
You will also gain marks for creativity and organization