Multiple Choice
In the context of cellular energetics and Gibbs free energy, which set of components correctly describes an ATP molecule?
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1. Introduction to Biochemistry
Gibbs Free Energy
Multiple Choice
In biochemistry, ATP is often described as containing “high-energy” phosphoanhydride bonds. How many high-energy phosphoanhydride bonds does one ATP molecule contain?
A
4
B
2
C
3
D
1
Verified step by step guidance1
Recall the structure of ATP (adenosine triphosphate), which consists of an adenosine molecule attached to three phosphate groups linked in a chain.
Identify the types of bonds between the phosphate groups: the bonds connecting the phosphate groups are called phosphoanhydride bonds, while the bond attaching the first phosphate to adenosine is a phosphoester bond.
Understand that the term 'high-energy' phosphoanhydride bonds refers specifically to the bonds between the phosphate groups that release a significant amount of free energy upon hydrolysis.
Count the number of phosphoanhydride bonds in ATP: since there are three phosphate groups, there are two phosphoanhydride bonds connecting them (between the first and second phosphate, and between the second and third phosphate).
Conclude that one ATP molecule contains 2 high-energy phosphoanhydride bonds.
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