Download ATP: The Main energy carrier

 Macromolecule:
Nucleic
Acid
 Organelle: Mitochondria
 Main Function: Energy:
Carries chemical energy
that calls can use.
 Comes from: Breakdown of
food molecules.
Structure: Made up of adenine,
ribose, and three phosphates
Adenine
Ribose
3 Phosphates
•Third bond is very weak.
When removed, energy is released
and becomes ADP. Adenosine
Diphosphate.
Differences
ATP
 3 phosphates
 High energy
ADP
 2 phosphates
 Low energy
Adenosine
Triphosphate
tri=3
adenosine
di=2
diphosphate
How do we get
back to
ATP?_________
phosphate removed

Fats store the most energy.
– 80 percent of the energy in your body
– about 146 ATP from a triglyceride
• Proteins are least likely to be broken down to
make ATP.
– amino acids not usually needed for energy
– about the same amount of energy as a carbohydrate

Carbohydrates are the molecules most
commonly broken down to make ATP.
– not stored in large amounts
– up to 36 ATP from one glucose
molecule
What if there isn’t any sunlight?
Of course it all starts with photosynthesis, and
then organisms take it in via cellular
respiration.
 Chemosynthesis: Process by which some
organisms use chemical energy, instead of
light energy, to make their own food.
 Where does this occur? In the deep sea of
course, near hydrothermal vents!
