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Hydrolysis of ATP

Hydrolysis of ATP happens when a cell needs energy.

ATP hydrolysis reaction

ATP hydrolysis reaction

  • The equation for the hydrolysis of ATP is:
    • ATP + H2O → ADP + Pi (+ energy)
  • Hydrolysis of ATP to adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and an inorganic phosphate group (Pi) is catalysed by the enzyme ATP hydrolase.
    • This reaction uses a water molecule so is called a hydrolysis reaction.
Energy release

Energy release

  • Energy is released during the hydrolysis of ATP as one of the phosphate bonds is broken.
  • This energy is used to perform work inside the cell.
Energy coupling

Energy coupling

  • The hydrolysis of ATP can be coupled to other reactions within cells that need energy.
  • An example of energy coupling using ATP is the transmembrane sodium-potassium pump (Na+/K+ pump):
    • Energy is released from the hydrolysis of ATP.
    • Energy is needed to power the pump that drives Na+ out of the cell and K+ into the cell.
Phosphorylation

Phosphorylation

  • The inorganic phosphate released in ATP hydrolysis can be used to phosphorylate other compounds.
  • This often makes the compounds more reactive.
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