Biology help needed, I'm stuck on this one problem. thanks a lot.
2007-11-26 15:11:26 · 3 answers · asked by Dimples 5 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
It takes energy to make ATP. It's more efficient to have the capacity to make a lot of it on demand rather than to have a ton of it sitting around unused.
2007-11-26 15:20:24 · answer #1 · answered by Joe 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Two reasons:
ATP is very energy intensive to make de novo, but it is fairly easy to convert ADP to ATP. Therefore, it is more efficient to keep a store that cycles between ATP and ADP.
ATP is also a signaling molecule. Certain levels or ratios of ATP to ADP signal the cell to perform certain actions. It can also be converted to cyclic AMP (cAMP), which is a very common signaling molecule. Either way, if there were large stores of ATP or ADP in the cell, the ATP:ADP ratio would be much less sensitive, and of less use as a signal.
2007-11-27 14:50:04 · answer #2 · answered by andymanec 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
ATP can be readily regenerated from ADP. There is no need to have a huge reserve.
2007-11-26 23:18:13 · answer #3 · answered by OKIM IM 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋