Why cant too much ATP be stored in a cell? A detailed answer would be appreciated :)

Question: Why cant too much ATP be stored in a cell? A detailed answer would be appreciated :)
- Keywords:
  atp,
  cell,
  chemical,
  respiration,
  storage,
  stored
Asked by sabeen123 to Audra, Fiona, Gavin, Justin, Steve on 16 Mar 2012.
- Audra Benjamin answered on 16 Mar 2012:
  
  ATP is made up of 3 negatively charged phosphate groups next to each other. (As well as a nucleotide and nitrogenous base too). These phosphate groups are bonded together but greatly repulse each other. The bonds can be broken by hydrolysis and this releases a lot of energy due to this high repulsion. In this reaction, ADP is formed. So a lot of energy is given out making ATP a “high energy” molecule and therefore very stable, it’s only synthesized when energy is needed to perform cellular work. Energy is stored as sugars. When ATP is needed, the cell performs aerobic respiration (glycolysis -> kerbs cycle -> oxidative phosphorylation) to synthesize ATP.

sabeen123 commented on 17 Mar 2012:

Thanks a tonne. I appreciate this. I hope you win the contest.

Log in to Reply

Question: Why cant too much ATP be stored in a cell? A detailed answer would be appreciated :)