Q. 18.6 - An Introduction to General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry

Question

How much energy is obtained from the hydrolysis of ATP?

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

One ATP molecule releases 7.3 kcal/mol of energy when it is hydrolyzed (G = 7.3 kcal/mol of energy).

Cells allow endergonic reactions to happen by coupling the exergonic reaction of ATP hydrolysis with them. A transmembrane ion pump, which is critical for cellular function, is one example of energy coupling using ATP.

Step 1: Given information

We have to tell about hydrolysis of ATP.

Step 2: Explanation

The molecule ATP is extremely unstable. ATP spontaneously dissociates into ADP + Pi unless it is employed to perform work quickly, and the free energy released during this process is wasted as heat. The answer to the second question, how the energy generated by ATP hydrolysis is employed to accomplish work inside the cell, is determined by an energy coupling strategy. Cells allow endergonic reactions to happen by coupling the exergonic reaction of ATP hydrolysis with them. A transmembrane ion pump, which is critical for cellular function, is one example of energy coupling using ATP. The sodium-potassium pump (Na+/K+ pump) transports sodium out of the cell while bringing potassium.

One ATP molecule releases 7.3 kcal/mol of energy when it is hydrolyzed (G = 7.3 kcal/mol of energy).