Unit 3 - Organisms exchange substances with their environment
Essay
The uses and importance of ATP in organisms (A* Grade) - A Level Biology Essay
826 views 1 purchase
Course
Unit 3 - Organisms exchange substances with their environment
Institution
AQA
Marked 25/25 mark essay for A level Biology about the uses and importance of ATP in organisms. 5 detailed paragraphs and 909 words including an essay plan.
Topics included: ATP, protein synthesis, synaptic transmission, translocation, nitrogen fixation
Unit 3 - Organisms exchange substances with their environment
All documents for this subject (165)
Seller
Follow
sn2003
Content preview
The uses and importance of ATP in organisms
Essay Plan:
Topic: AO1: (uses) AO2: (importance)
ATP ▪ Hydrolysis of ATP e.g., in ▪ Provides energy when
protein synthesis hydrolysed
▪ Resynthesis of ATP ▪ Phosphorylation with
phosphate group e.g., makes
molecules more reactive
Protein synthesis ▪ Energy from ATP used to ▪ Without ATP, protein synthesis
unwind helix, activate amino would fail or be considerably
acids, form peptide bonds slower due to insufficient
supply of energy
Synaptic transmission ▪ Regulated neurotransmitter ▪ Slows release of
release neurotransmitter so too much
▪ Allows reabsorption of excess isn’t released
neurotransmitter ▪ Prevents build up of
neurotransmitter in synaptic
cleft
Translocation (mass ▪ Active transport of H+ into ▪ Essential for survival that
transport in plants) surrounding tissue minerals and nutrients are
▪ Creates hydrostatic pressure = transported within plant
transports food in plant
Nitrogen fixation ▪ Provides energy to break bonds ▪ Without ATP, nitrogen atoms
in nitrogen would not be available
▪ Creates nitrogenase complex ▪ Nitrogenase enzyme wouldn’t
▪ Phosphate release allows function properly without ATP
complex to dissociate = nitrogen fixation can’t occur
ATP (adenosine triphosphate) is made by mitochondria during aerobic respiration and is used by
eukaryotic cells and is vital in organisms as it transports and provides the energy needed for all cellular
metabolic processes and without it, organisms would not be able to survive. ATP is formed from a
molecule of ribose sugar and three phosphate groups. Protein synthesis requires energy from the
hydrolysis of ATP. This is achieved by ATP hydrolase or ATPase which breaks the bond between the
second and third phosphate groups leading to the formation of ADP (adenosine diphosphate) and an
inorganic phosphate group. These bonds have energy stores between them so when they are broken,
energy is released. The inorganic phosphate group often binds to other molecules to make then more
reactive, so they can take part in another reaction. It is also important that ATP is resynthesized by
joining ADP molecules with inorganic phosphate groups via condensation reactions facilitated by the
enzyme ATP synthase. These reactions also require energy which is provided by carbohydrate or lipid
molecules being hydrolysed during respiration.
Protein synthesis is another process which requires energy from ATP. The transfer RNA carries amino
acids to ribosomes where they are assembled into proteins. Aminoacylation describes the process by
which amino acids are first activated by ATP binding to it, forming a reactive aminoacyl adenylate and
then transferred to the 3’ end of tRNA to form the aminoacyl-tRNA product. ATP is also required in the
first stage of protein synthesis where the DNA double helix is unwound. It also helps move the newly
synthesised proteins to where there are needed within the cell. Furthermore, the energy released by
the hydrolysis of ATP is used to drive the reaction forward by using the energy to form a peptide bond
between the carboxyl group of one amino acid and the amino group of another. Without ATP, there
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card or Stuvia-credit for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller sn2003. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for $13.06. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
