Table of contents

1. Matter and Measurements4h 31m
2. Atoms and the Periodic Table5h 23m
3. Ionic Compounds2h 18m
4. Molecular Compounds2h 18m
5. Classification & Balancing of Chemical Reactions3h 17m
6. Chemical Reactions & Quantities2h 27m
7. Energy, Rate and Equilibrium3h 46m
8. Gases, Liquids and Solids3h 25m
9. Solutions4h 10m
10. Acids and Bases3h 29m
11. Nuclear Chemistry56m
BONUS: Lab Techniques and Procedures1h 38m
BONUS: Mathematical Operations and Functions47m
12. Introduction to Organic Chemistry1h 34m
13. Alkenes, Alkynes, and Aromatic Compounds2h 12m
14. Compounds with Oxygen or Sulfur1h 6m
15. Aldehydes and Ketones1h 1m
16. Carboxylic Acids and Their Derivatives1h 11m
17. Amines39m
18. Amino Acids and Proteins1h 51m
19. Enzymes1h 37m
20. Carbohydrates1h 41m
21. The Generation of Biochemical Energy2h 8m
22. Carbohydrate Metabolism2h 22m
23. Lipids2h 26m
24. Lipid Metabolism1h 45m
25. Protein and Amino Acid Metabolism1h 37m
26. Nucleic Acids and Protein Synthesis2h 54m

21. The Generation of Biochemical Energy

ATP and Energy

GOB Chemistry

21. The Generation of Biochemical Energy

ATP and Energy

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5:00 minutes

Problem 22

Textbook Question

For the first step in fatty acid catabolism, we say that ATP is used to “drive” the reaction that links the fatty acid with coenzyme-A. Without ATP hydrolysis, would you predict that the linking of fatty acid to coenzyme-A would be exergonic or endergonic? In fatty acid CoA synthesis, the hydrolysis of the ATP portion is based on what major strategy of metabolism?

Verified step by step guidance

Understand the context: Fatty acid catabolism begins with the activation of the fatty acid by linking it to coenzyme-A (CoA). This reaction requires energy input, which is provided by ATP hydrolysis. The question asks whether this reaction would be exergonic (releases energy) or endergonic (requires energy) without ATP hydrolysis.

Step 1: Recall the definition of endergonic and exergonic reactions. Endergonic reactions require an input of energy to proceed, while exergonic reactions release energy and occur spontaneously. Linking a fatty acid to CoA involves forming a high-energy thioester bond, which is not energetically favorable on its own.

Step 2: Analyze the role of ATP hydrolysis. ATP hydrolysis provides the necessary energy to drive the reaction forward. The hydrolysis of ATP to ADP and inorganic phosphate (Pi) is highly exergonic, and this energy is coupled to the otherwise endergonic reaction of fatty acid-CoA formation.

Step 3: Predict the reaction's nature without ATP hydrolysis. Without the energy provided by ATP hydrolysis, the reaction linking fatty acid to CoA would be endergonic because forming the high-energy thioester bond requires an input of energy.

Step 4: Relate this to a major strategy of metabolism. The hydrolysis of ATP in this process is an example of energy coupling, a fundamental strategy in metabolism. Energy coupling uses the energy released from an exergonic reaction (like ATP hydrolysis) to drive an endergonic reaction (like fatty acid-CoA synthesis).

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Exergonic vs. Endergonic Reactions

Exergonic reactions release energy and occur spontaneously, while endergonic reactions require an input of energy to proceed. In the context of fatty acid catabolism, the linking of fatty acids to coenzyme-A is typically endergonic, meaning it needs energy, which is provided by ATP hydrolysis.

ATP Hydrolysis

ATP hydrolysis is the process of breaking down adenosine triphosphate (ATP) into adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and inorganic phosphate, releasing energy. This energy is crucial for driving endergonic reactions, such as the activation of fatty acids, making it a key player in metabolic pathways.

Metabolic Strategies

In metabolism, one major strategy is the coupling of exergonic and endergonic reactions. By using the energy released from ATP hydrolysis, cells can drive unfavorable reactions forward, such as the synthesis of fatty acyl-CoA, thereby facilitating essential biochemical processes.

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Related Practice

Textbook Question

Acetyl phosphate, whose structure is given here, is another compound with a relatively high free energy of hydrolysis.

Using structural formulas, write the equation for the hydrolysis of this phosphate.

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Textbook Question

A common metabolic strategy is the lack of reactivity—that is, the slowness to react—of compounds whose breakdown is exergonic. For example, hydrolysis of ATP to ADP or adenosine monophosphate (AMP) is exergonic but does not take place without an appropriate enzyme present. Why would the cell use this metabolic strategy?

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Textbook Question

One of the steps in lipid metabolism is the reaction of glycerol (1,2,3-propanetriol, HOCH₂CH(OH)CH₂OH, with ATP to yield glycerol 1-phosphate. Write the equation for this reaction using the curved arrow symbolism.

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Textbook Question

The hydrolysis of acetyl phosphate to give acetate and hydrogen phosphate ion has ∆G = -10.3 kcal/mol (-43.1 kJ/mol). Combine the equations and ∆G values to determine whether coupling of this reaction with phosphorylation of ADP to produce ATP is favorable. (You need give only compound names or abbreviations in the equations.)

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Textbook Question

Why is ATP sometimes called a high-energy molecule?

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Textbook Question

What general kind of chemical reaction does ATP participate in?

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Textbook Question

What does it mean when we say that two reactions are coupled?