ATP (adenosine triphosphate) has been called the energy currency of the cell. Br

Question

ATP (adenosine triphosphate) has been called the energy currency of the cell. Briefly outline the cycle by which energy is stored in and released from ATP. Discuss how ATP is critically important to cellular chemical processes.

Enzymes are protein materials that control chemical processes. Describe the specific mechanisms of enzyme function. Pick a specific enzyme and describe its function and the importance of that function to life. Discuss how the loss of that enzyme would disrupt living processes. Make sure your explanation of enzymes is informed by the textbook.

Explanation / Answer

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) consists of an adenosine with three phophate groups in a row bonded to each other. In cellular respiration process, chemical energy in food is converted into chemical energy which can be used by and stores in molecules of ATP. A molecule of Adenosine diphosphate (ADP) uses the energy released during cellular respiration to bond with a third phosphate group, becoming a molecule of ATP. By this way energy from cellular respiration is stored in the bond between the 2nd and 3rd phosphate groups of ATP. Whenever the cell require energy to do work, ATP loses its 3rd phosphate group, releasing energy stored in the bond that the cell can use to do work. At this moment its back to being ADP and is ready to store the energy from respiration by bonding with a 3rd phosphate group. ADP and ATP constantly convert back and forth by this way so ATP is called energy currency of cell.

ATP is the chief source of energy for maximum cellular processes. ATP is important to cellular processes because it provides energy for cellular work when the terminal, high energy bond is broken between 2nd and 3rd phosphate groups of ATP.

The specific mechanisms for enzyme action by which enzymes catalyze chemical reactions begins with the binding of the substrate to the active site on the enzyme. It can be explained by mechanisms like Lock and Key Theory, Induced fit Theory

Lock and Key Theory:

In this resemblance, the lock is the enzyme and the key is the substrate. Merely the correctly sized key (substrate) fits into the key hole (active site) of the lock (enzyme).

Smaller or larger keys, or incorrectly positioned teeth on keys do not fit into the lock (enzyme). Only the correctly shaped key opens a particular lock.

Amylase is an example of enzyme which is very important enzyme in digestion process. It has two forms salivary amylase and pancreatic amylase. It is first produced in mouth present in saliva. Saliva mixes with food amylase start to degrade starch to sugars. When food moves into small intestine, pancreatic juices containing amylase, bicarbonate and other digestive enzymes are released which broke starches and sugars into maltose and absorbed into bloodstream which is used for energy.

Deficiency of Amylase leads to indigestion, cystic fibrosis etc.

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