ATP

ATP is needed for most biological processes.... which makes it pretty damn awesome in my eyes so you gotta know how it;s made and it's properties so you can understand other things, like respiration (which is bloody important).

Here's something I drew earlier (blue peter style).

So ADP combines with an inorganic phosphate molecule using energy for the production of glucose in respiration (that will be my next post - respiration is a humdinger) using an enzyme called ATP synthase.

ATP is made.

Energy is stored as chemical energy in the phosphate bond.

The ATP molecule diffuses to the part of the cell that needs energy where it is then broken down by an enzyme called ATPase.

The ADP and inorganic phosphate molecule are recycled and it all starts again.

Specific properties of ATP:

1. ATP releases a small amount of energy at a time so no energy is wasted.
2. It's a small, soluble molecule so is easily transported around the cell.
3. It's easily broken down.
4. ATP can't pass out of the cell so the cell always has an immediate supply of energy.

It's all pretty easy and basic. Next up is respiration which I think you'll find is a little more complicated than that....