In fact, the Sun is the ultimate source of energy for almost all cells, because photosynthetic prokaryotes, algae, and plant cells harness solar energy and use it to make the complex organic food molecules that other cells rely on for the energy required to sustain growth, metabolism, and reproduction (Figure 1).
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Cells do not use the energy from oxidation reactions as soon as it is released. Instead, they convert it into small, energy-rich molecules such as ATP and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH), which can be used throughout the cell to power metabolism and construct new cellular components.
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When that phosphate group from the ATP attaches to this protein, it provides energy and allows it to do work, pumping ions across the membrane against their concentration gradient (Figure 4.4).
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Adenosine 5'-triphosphate, or ATP, is the most abundant energy carrier molecule in cells. This molecule is made of a nitrogen base (adenine), a ribose sugar, and three phosphate groups. The word adenosine refers to the adenine plus the ribose sugar.
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Cells, like humans, cannot generate energy without locating a source in their environment. However, whereas humans search for substances like fossil fuels to power their homes and businesses, cells seek their energy in the form of food molecules or sunlight.
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How ATP Powers Cellular Work. When a phosphate group is transferred from ATP to a substrate molecule, the energy transferred can then power cellular work. One type of work is transport work. Remember the sodium-potassium pump protein that is found in the phospholipid bilayer of the plasma membrane?
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Chapter 8 1. Explain the role of catabolic and anabolic pathways in cellular metabolism. Catabolic pathways release energy by breaking down complex molecules to simpler compounds. Anabolic pathways consume energy to build complicated molecules from simpler ones. 2. Distinguish between kinetic and potential energy.
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List the three main kinds of cellular work. Explain in general terms how cells obtain the energy to do cellular work. - Transport work: the pumping of substances across membranes against the direction of spontaneous movement. - Mechanical work: the contraction of muscle cells and the movement of chromosomes during cellular reproduction.
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Through a series if small steps, free energy is released from sugar and stored in carrier molecules in the cell (ATP and NADH, not shown). On the right, the direct burning of sugar requires a larger activation energy.
http://www.nature.com/scitable/topicpage/cell-energy-and-cell-functions-14024533
In chemical reactions, the phosphate group will attach to one reactant, giving it energy and allowing it to react with a second atom or molecule. A product is made through that chemical work. All these types of cellular work require ATP. The phosphate group is released after the work is done.
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explain how atp provides energy for cellular work.
When a phosphate group is transferred from ATP to a substrate molecule, the energy transferred can then power cellular work.