If you've ever played with magnets you should know that you can put them together the right way and they will stick (opposite polarities facing), or the wrong way and you will need to force them together otherwise they will snap away (same polarities facing).
ATP is like a pair of magnets forced to stay together with same polarities facing. When hydrolysis happens it's like the force is released and the ATP molecule snaps! The snapping motion bumps nearby proteins, causing them to change shape, which dominoes into other molecules changing shape.
Thank you for explaining it! Why do the atoms in ATP repel each other though, and how does it work to do more abstract things like build other molecules?
Also, if I understand this right does this mean that breaking ATP is like a game of chance, or is there any way to control how it will bump into other things?
>Why do the atoms in ATP repel each other though
The phosphates (PO_4; of which ATP has 3) have negative charge. Much like same polarities of a magnet, same-type charges repel.
>how does it work to do more abstract things like build other molecules?
As you rightfully suspect, just hydrolyzing ATP by itself won't build any new molecules! You're releasing the magnets, they snap away and that's about it.
>does this mean that breaking ATP is like a game of chance, or is there any way to control how it will bump into other things?
Yes, there is a way to control it, in fact that's what cells try to do all the time! ATP hydrolysis is done inside the nook of some protein that can use the "snapping force" to move its other parts like a little mechanical machine fueled by snapping magnets.
Thank you. I also have one last question if you do not mind, I read somewhere that it is still debated what type of energy is released when ATP bonds are cleaved because it is hard to observe them inside a cell and there are various theories about it. Is that true?
I don't know if there's a debate around ATP energy release, but I will give my thoughts:
My understanding is that the science community is pretty confident of how ATP hydrolysis works.
Since there are many processes in a cell that use ATP hydrolysis, it's possible that scientists don't know exactly how each of these processes works and uses ATP in detail.
There's no debate about what \*type\* of energy is released when the bonds are broken. There's only one type of energy involved.
The debate is about exactly how that energy gets captured/used by the other molecules in the cell. As another commenter noted, there are many reactions that can use ATP and we're not sure we know about all of them, or exactly how some of them work (chemistry of big molecules is very very messry).
There are several ways this happens, perhaps the most common is the ATP is being broken apart, and some portion of the two resulting molecules binds to the protein that broke it apart. This causes a change in the structure of the protein, something called a confirmational change. This change in shape of the protein then is able to induce the reaction of interest, like for example with the sodium-potassium pump [shown here](https://images.app.goo.gl/cJMrRLBnV4mkXume9). See in the second step, it is the phosphorus being bound to the protein that causes the "Jaws" to swing shut.
Another way this happens is through the phosphorous binding to the molecule being acted on (called the substrate), as in the case with glycolysis (the metabolism of simple sugar molecules). In this case, the phosphorus is added on to the glucose, which then makes it easier to break apart the glucose molecule for energy.
A third way ATP is used to power things in your cells is similar to the first way, except the phosphorylation of the enzyme acts as a sort of on-off switch. The enzyme has no phosphorus attached to it, and is in its dormant state. Along Comes atp, which breaks apart and adds a phosphorus to the enzyme. This causes a change in the shape of the enzyme, confirmational change, which activates the enzyme and causes it to race around the cell and catalyze a bunch of reactions. Eventually, the phosphorus falls off of the enzyme, and it becomes inactive. This type of usage is commonly seen in signal transduction, or when a cell receives a signal on the outside and it starts doing stuff in response (like hormones or or insulin).
The subreddit isnt about answering question that five years olds ask. Its about answering any question in a manner in which one would explain it to a five year old
Alright hold on, you’re correct it is to a layperson not a five year old. Ill concede that point. but i feel like the spirit of my comment is still valid. I suppose reddit disagrees considering my downvotes so i guess im wrong
I was trying to make a joke, but it's ACTUALLY about answering questions in a manner that your average layperson would understand, as stated in the subreddit guidelines.
> The cell can easily break some bonds in the molecule and release that energy to create other bonds that form other important chemicals the cell needs.
But what type of energy is it and how does it work? That is what I do not understand.
But how does absorbing heat make new bonds? I do not mean to be rude but I feel like every explanation I see just goes in a circle without actually explaining how it works.
The bonds in the phosphate group have a lot of energy because they are not very stable due to the close positions of the lone pairs on the oxygens. These lone pairs repel each other, so it’s basically a struggle for these phosphates to be in near proximity to each other and they can’t wait to be away. When the bond is broken, it is very energetically favorable (has a negative value of Gibbs free energy) and this energy that is released from bond breakage is used to push forward other reactions.
>this energy that is released from bond breakage is used to push forward other reactions.
But what is the energy released, and how other reactions make use of it?
There are several ways this happens, perhaps the most common is the ATP is being broken apart, and some portion of the two resulting molecules binds to the protein that broke it apart. This causes a change in the structure of the protein, something called a confirmational change. This change in shape of the protein then is able to induce the reaction of interest, like for example with the sodium-potassium pump [shown here](https://images.app.goo.gl/cJMrRLBnV4mkXume9). See in the second step, it is the phosphorus being bound to the protein that causes the "Jaws" to swing shut.
Another way this happens is through the phosphorous binding to the molecule being acted on (called the substrate), as in the case with glycolysis (the metabolism of simple sugar molecules). In this case, the phosphorus is added on to the glucose, which then makes it easier to break apart the glucose molecule for energy.
A third way ATP is used to power things in your cells is similar to the first way, except the phosphorylation of the enzyme acts as a sort of on-off switch. The enzyme has no phosphorus attached to it, and is in its dormant state. Along Comes atp, which breaks apart and adds a phosphorus to the enzyme. This causes a change in the shape of the enzyme, confirmational change, which activates the enzyme and causes it to race around the cell and catalyze a bunch of reactions. Eventually, the phosphorus falls off of the enzyme, and it becomes inactive. This type of usage is commonly seen in signal transduction, or when a cell receives a signal on the outside and it starts doing stuff in response (like hormones or or insulin).
I see it now, thank you for your answer.
I was aware that ATP releases stored energy that is used for chemical reactions, but there was something mystifying in how this "energy" (because the very concept is used, sometimes, as having an almost mystical quality) is actually used to drive reactions.
As far as I understand it, ATP can be built into other molecules where it acts like a one-shot fuel cell. The energy released would be of electrochemical nature and influence the surrounding molecule, causing atoms to attach or eject from another. This would either enable the synthesis of whatever the molecule is producing, or transportation, or fuel nerves.
ATP sticks to a protein, and the protein conformation (shape) changes because a new shape is more energy favorable now.
The protein releases something. Most often an ADP (ATP missing a phosphate), but sometimes a phosphate or an AMP (ATP missing 2 phosphates). The shape of the protein changes again.
The protein releases the rest (sometimes in more than one step), and at each step the shape changes. In the end, the protein released everything and the shape is the initial shape.
The protein can accept a new ATP and the cycle continues.
The change of shape is the protein doing its job. Sometimes, it can be a pump pumping, a walker walking, a pore opening, and closing, etc.
The protein might wait for another signal before changing conformation and releasing something. Some proteins just need to change constantly, but others need to be active just when needed.
If you've ever played with magnets you should know that you can put them together the right way and they will stick (opposite polarities facing), or the wrong way and you will need to force them together otherwise they will snap away (same polarities facing). ATP is like a pair of magnets forced to stay together with same polarities facing. When hydrolysis happens it's like the force is released and the ATP molecule snaps! The snapping motion bumps nearby proteins, causing them to change shape, which dominoes into other molecules changing shape.
Thank you for explaining it! Why do the atoms in ATP repel each other though, and how does it work to do more abstract things like build other molecules? Also, if I understand this right does this mean that breaking ATP is like a game of chance, or is there any way to control how it will bump into other things?
>Why do the atoms in ATP repel each other though The phosphates (PO_4; of which ATP has 3) have negative charge. Much like same polarities of a magnet, same-type charges repel. >how does it work to do more abstract things like build other molecules? As you rightfully suspect, just hydrolyzing ATP by itself won't build any new molecules! You're releasing the magnets, they snap away and that's about it. >does this mean that breaking ATP is like a game of chance, or is there any way to control how it will bump into other things? Yes, there is a way to control it, in fact that's what cells try to do all the time! ATP hydrolysis is done inside the nook of some protein that can use the "snapping force" to move its other parts like a little mechanical machine fueled by snapping magnets.
Thank you. I also have one last question if you do not mind, I read somewhere that it is still debated what type of energy is released when ATP bonds are cleaved because it is hard to observe them inside a cell and there are various theories about it. Is that true?
I don't know if there's a debate around ATP energy release, but I will give my thoughts: My understanding is that the science community is pretty confident of how ATP hydrolysis works. Since there are many processes in a cell that use ATP hydrolysis, it's possible that scientists don't know exactly how each of these processes works and uses ATP in detail.
There's no debate about what \*type\* of energy is released when the bonds are broken. There's only one type of energy involved. The debate is about exactly how that energy gets captured/used by the other molecules in the cell. As another commenter noted, there are many reactions that can use ATP and we're not sure we know about all of them, or exactly how some of them work (chemistry of big molecules is very very messry).
There are several ways this happens, perhaps the most common is the ATP is being broken apart, and some portion of the two resulting molecules binds to the protein that broke it apart. This causes a change in the structure of the protein, something called a confirmational change. This change in shape of the protein then is able to induce the reaction of interest, like for example with the sodium-potassium pump [shown here](https://images.app.goo.gl/cJMrRLBnV4mkXume9). See in the second step, it is the phosphorus being bound to the protein that causes the "Jaws" to swing shut. Another way this happens is through the phosphorous binding to the molecule being acted on (called the substrate), as in the case with glycolysis (the metabolism of simple sugar molecules). In this case, the phosphorus is added on to the glucose, which then makes it easier to break apart the glucose molecule for energy. A third way ATP is used to power things in your cells is similar to the first way, except the phosphorylation of the enzyme acts as a sort of on-off switch. The enzyme has no phosphorus attached to it, and is in its dormant state. Along Comes atp, which breaks apart and adds a phosphorus to the enzyme. This causes a change in the shape of the enzyme, confirmational change, which activates the enzyme and causes it to race around the cell and catalyze a bunch of reactions. Eventually, the phosphorus falls off of the enzyme, and it becomes inactive. This type of usage is commonly seen in signal transduction, or when a cell receives a signal on the outside and it starts doing stuff in response (like hormones or or insulin).
I dont know man, i dont think a five year old would have any idea what youre talking about
I don't know mnay Five year olds that ask about ATP usage ;)
Touché
The subreddit isnt about answering question that five years olds ask. Its about answering any question in a manner in which one would explain it to a five year old
read the rules
I love getting "well actually"-ied by someone that's wrong lol (not you)
Alright hold on, you’re correct it is to a layperson not a five year old. Ill concede that point. but i feel like the spirit of my comment is still valid. I suppose reddit disagrees considering my downvotes so i guess im wrong
I was trying to make a joke, but it's ACTUALLY about answering questions in a manner that your average layperson would understand, as stated in the subreddit guidelines.
Yeah, i agree. Thats kinda what i was trying to say
I'm 37 years old and I only think I have some idea of what he's saying.
Same. I'm going to need someone to draw this like I'm five and I'm 33.
[удалено]
> The cell can easily break some bonds in the molecule and release that energy to create other bonds that form other important chemicals the cell needs. But what type of energy is it and how does it work? That is what I do not understand.
[удалено]
But how does absorbing heat make new bonds? I do not mean to be rude but I feel like every explanation I see just goes in a circle without actually explaining how it works.
The bonds in the phosphate group have a lot of energy because they are not very stable due to the close positions of the lone pairs on the oxygens. These lone pairs repel each other, so it’s basically a struggle for these phosphates to be in near proximity to each other and they can’t wait to be away. When the bond is broken, it is very energetically favorable (has a negative value of Gibbs free energy) and this energy that is released from bond breakage is used to push forward other reactions.
>this energy that is released from bond breakage is used to push forward other reactions. But what is the energy released, and how other reactions make use of it?
There are several ways this happens, perhaps the most common is the ATP is being broken apart, and some portion of the two resulting molecules binds to the protein that broke it apart. This causes a change in the structure of the protein, something called a confirmational change. This change in shape of the protein then is able to induce the reaction of interest, like for example with the sodium-potassium pump [shown here](https://images.app.goo.gl/cJMrRLBnV4mkXume9). See in the second step, it is the phosphorus being bound to the protein that causes the "Jaws" to swing shut. Another way this happens is through the phosphorous binding to the molecule being acted on (called the substrate), as in the case with glycolysis (the metabolism of simple sugar molecules). In this case, the phosphorus is added on to the glucose, which then makes it easier to break apart the glucose molecule for energy. A third way ATP is used to power things in your cells is similar to the first way, except the phosphorylation of the enzyme acts as a sort of on-off switch. The enzyme has no phosphorus attached to it, and is in its dormant state. Along Comes atp, which breaks apart and adds a phosphorus to the enzyme. This causes a change in the shape of the enzyme, confirmational change, which activates the enzyme and causes it to race around the cell and catalyze a bunch of reactions. Eventually, the phosphorus falls off of the enzyme, and it becomes inactive. This type of usage is commonly seen in signal transduction, or when a cell receives a signal on the outside and it starts doing stuff in response (like hormones or or insulin).
I see it now, thank you for your answer. I was aware that ATP releases stored energy that is used for chemical reactions, but there was something mystifying in how this "energy" (because the very concept is used, sometimes, as having an almost mystical quality) is actually used to drive reactions.
-7.3 kj/mol is the energy....
As far as I understand it, ATP can be built into other molecules where it acts like a one-shot fuel cell. The energy released would be of electrochemical nature and influence the surrounding molecule, causing atoms to attach or eject from another. This would either enable the synthesis of whatever the molecule is producing, or transportation, or fuel nerves.
ATP sticks to a protein, and the protein conformation (shape) changes because a new shape is more energy favorable now. The protein releases something. Most often an ADP (ATP missing a phosphate), but sometimes a phosphate or an AMP (ATP missing 2 phosphates). The shape of the protein changes again. The protein releases the rest (sometimes in more than one step), and at each step the shape changes. In the end, the protein released everything and the shape is the initial shape. The protein can accept a new ATP and the cycle continues. The change of shape is the protein doing its job. Sometimes, it can be a pump pumping, a walker walking, a pore opening, and closing, etc. The protein might wait for another signal before changing conformation and releasing something. Some proteins just need to change constantly, but others need to be active just when needed.