Question

Describe the ATP-ADP cycle. Include what is and is not recycled, and the role of ATP synthase.

Answer 1

ADP is continually converted to ATP by the addition of a phosphate during the process of cellular respiration. ATP carries much more energy than ADP. As the cell requires more energy, it uses energy from the breakdown of food molecules to attach a free phosphate group to an ADP molecule in order to make ATP.

Step-by-step explanation:

Answer 2

The ATP-ADP cycle couples energy release from organic breakdown to ATP synthesis via ATP synthase.

Step-by-step explanation:

The ATP-ADP cycle is a continuous process that couples the energy released from the breakdown of organic molecules to the synthesis of ATP.

• ATP is hydrolyzed to ADP and Pi, releasing energy.
• ADP is phosphorylated to ATP using energy from the oxidation of organic molecules.

ATP synthase uses the energy released from the proton gradient across the inner mitochondrial membrane to drive the phosphorylation of ADP.

The ADP and Pi molecules are recycled, but the energy released from ATP hydrolysis is not.