Production of Energy

All the living organisms in this world need energy for survival. The plants get energy from the sun and animals get their energy from plants. We, human beings, need the energy to do our daily activities. We get energy from food and that energy is stored in our human body through certain mechanisms. The energy is nothing but ATP, called Adenosine Triphosphate. This production of energy can be done by many cellular metabolism mechanisms and cycles inside our bodies. The production of ATP energy for cell functions can be done by various processes in both plant and animal cells.

Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP)

Adenosine Triphosphate(ATP)  is an energy compound that is made up of adenine, the sugar ribose, and three phosphate groups. It is produced by the cell organelle, mitochondria so it is called the powerhouse of the cell. These energy molecules are also called the energy currency of cells and provide energy for the body’s biochemical reactions.

Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP)  is an energy compound that would be stored in significant amounts in each cell. Each cell should possess the ability to store and transfer the right amount of energy to the body when needed. If a cell has an excess energy compound, it will increase the heat and thermal motion inside the cell.  For this purpose, the ATP compound is widely used in cells and plays a vital role in the production of energy.

Production of Energy

The ATP  is produced by the process called hydrolysis. 

H2O  ->  H+  +  OH–

As per the above hydrolysis reaction, the water molecule is broken into one hydrogen atom and a hydroxyl atom. The  Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) is hydrolyzed into Adenosine Diphosphate (ADP). It is a reversible interconvertible reaction. Since it is a major energy-producing reaction, it continuously occurs throughout the process of life. In this reaction, one phosphate group is also added and again it is reformed into  Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP).

Glucose is metabolised or broken down to form energy needed for the body to perform all the activities.  Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) helps in both the exergonic and endergonic pathways in the cells.

The high-energy bonds of the  Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP)  molecules are broken and undergo metabolism to produce energy for cells. This energy can be used in various cell divisions and biochemical reactions. 

The Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP)  molecules are produced by hydrolysis and stored in the form of bonds. Then, when needed the bonds are broken to release the energy.

The production of energy for cell functions can be done from two methods or processes like phosphorylation and cellular respiration. The phosphate molecule is transferred to another molecule by the phosphorylation process. Some enzymes help this release of Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP)  molecules to cellular reactions. It takes the process of photosynthesis with the help of sunlight. Another method of producing Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP)  molecules is by cellular respiration in mitochondria, a cell organelle. It can be done in both aerobic and anaerobic ways. 

In aerobic respiration, Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP)  molecules are produced from oxygen and glucose. But in anaerobic respiration, Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP)  molecules are produced from the bacteria and archaea. 

In cellular respiration, the Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP)  molecules are continuously made with the help of Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP)  molecules and phosphate. The Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP)  molecules are produced by the enzyme called ATP synthase. Synthase is present in the powerhouse of the cell, mitochondria, and chloroplasts in plants. It converts Adenosine Diphosphate (ADP)  molecules and phosphate to Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP)  molecules. We have discussed the production of ATP energy for cell functions from phosphorylation and cellular respiration.

Functions of Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP)

• The Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) molecules are used in signal transduction like cell communication. Kinases are the enzyme used for signal-transducing communication.

• The Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) molecules are helpful in DNA synthesis.

• The Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) molecules play a wide role in our body processes like blood circulation, muscle contraction, and body movements (locomotion activities).

• The Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) molecules help in molecule transportation in the reaction.

• It undergoes photosynthesis, cell division, cellular respiration (both aerobic and anaerobic), phosphorylation of macromolecules, and synthesis of protein.

Conclusion

The Adenosine Triphosphate(ATP) molecules are an energy compound, called the energy currency of cells, and provide energy for the body’s biochemical reactions like photosynthesis, cell division, cellular respiration (both aerobic and anaerobic), phosphorylation of macromolecules, and synthesis of protein. The production of ATP energy for cell functions can be done from two methods or processes like phosphorylation and cellular respiration. The Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP)  molecules are produced by hydrolysis and stored in the form of bonds. So, Adenosine Triphosphate(ATP) molecules play a vital role in the production of energy.