Multiple Choice
Which of the following statements about endergonic reactions is true?
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1. Introduction to Biochemistry
Gibbs Free Energy
Multiple Choice
In the context of Gibbs free energy and cellular energetics, what does ATP lose when it is hydrolyzed to ADP and inorganic phosphate ()?
A
Its adenine base, converting ATP into ribose triphosphate
B
A phosphate group is added, converting ATP into ADP
C
All three phosphate groups, yielding adenosine and free phosphate only
D
Its terminal (γ) phosphate group, releasing inorganic phosphate ()
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand the structure of ATP (adenosine triphosphate), which consists of an adenine base, a ribose sugar, and three phosphate groups labeled alpha (α), beta (β), and gamma (γ) from the ribose outward.
Recognize that during ATP hydrolysis, the bond between the terminal (γ) phosphate group and the rest of the molecule is broken, releasing the γ-phosphate as inorganic phosphate (P\_i).
Note that this reaction converts ATP into ADP (adenosine diphosphate), which retains the adenine base, ribose sugar, and two phosphate groups (α and β).
Recall that the energy released from breaking the high-energy phosphoanhydride bond of the γ-phosphate is used by the cell to drive various biochemical processes.
Summarize that ATP loses only its terminal (γ) phosphate group during hydrolysis, not the adenine base or the ribose sugar, and this is why the product is ADP plus inorganic phosphate (P\_i).
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