Exploring the Ways in Which Organisms Use ATP

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Exploring the Ways in Which Organisms Use ATP The major energy currency molecule of the cell, ATP, is evaluated in the context of creationism. This complex molecule is critical for all life from the simplest to the most complex. It is only one of millions of enormously intricate nanomachines that needs to have been designed in order for life to exist on earth. This molecule is an excellent example of irreducible complexity because it is necessary in its entirety in order for even the simplest form of life to survive. The ATP is used for many cell functions including transport work moving substances across cell membranes. It is also used for mechanical work, supplying the energy needed for muscle contraction. It supplies energy not only to heart muscle (for blood circulation) and skeletal muscle (such as for gross body movement), but also to the chromosomes and flagella to enable them to carry out their many functions. A major role of ATP is in chemical work, supplying the needed energy to synthesize the multi-thousands of types of macromolecules that the cell needs to exist. ATP is also used as an on-off switch both to control chemical reactions and to send messages. The shape of the protein chains that produce the building blocks and other structures used in life is mostly determined by weak chemical bonds that are easily broken and remade. These chains can shorten, lengthen, and change shape in response to the input or withdrawal of energy. The changes in the chains alter the shape of the protein and can also alter its function or cause it to become either active or inactive. The ATP molecule can bond to one part of a... ... middle of paper ... ...gars. These are then split into two three-carbon sugar phosphates and then these are split into two pyruvate molecules. This results in four molecules of ATP being released. Therefore this process of respiration in cells makes more energy available for the cell to use by providing an initial two molecules of ATP. In the light independent stage of photosynthesis ATP is again used to break down a molecule. In the Calvin cycle after glycerate 3-phosphate is reduced, then ATP breaks down and loses a phosphate group (becoming ADP). The phosphate group is then gained by the glycerate 3-phosphate molecule and it becomes triose phosphate. ATP is then used furthermore in product synthesis (anabolism) this is where energy is required to convert the triose phosphate into more complex molecules such as amino acids or lipids.

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