Question

Read the following analogy: A sporting goods store might accept a $100 bill for the purchase of a bicycle, but the corner store will not take a $100 bill when you buy a pack of gum. That is why people often carry smaller denominations in their wallets - it makes everyday transactions easier. The same concept is true for the energy transactions in cells. Cells need energy (their "currency") to take care of everyday functions, and they need it in many denominations. As humans we eat food for energy, but food molecules provide too much energy for our cells to use all at once. For quick cellular transactions, your cells store energy in the small molecule ATP. This is analogous to a $1 bill for your cells' daily activities.

What part(s) of the ATP cycle are analogous to spending money?

Answer 1

In the ATP cycle, spending money is analogous to the breaking down of ATP molecules into ADP and phosphate to release energy for cellular work.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the ATP cycle, the part analogous to spending money is when ATP molecules are broken down into ADP and phosphate to release energy for cellular work. Just like spending money, this step in the ATP cycle involves the release of accumulated energy in the form of ATP molecules. Once ATP is spent, it becomes ADP, and new ATP molecules need to be synthesized through cellular respiration to replenish the energy currency.