In terms of energy, what is the difference between glucose and ATP?
http://www.phschool.com/science/biology_place/biocoach/cellresp/glucose.html
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Glucose and ATP (adenosine triphosphate) are both key molecules involved in energy transfer and storage within living organisms. Here's the difference:
1. Structure: Glucose is a simple sugar or monosaccharide with the chemical formula C6H12O6. It consists of six carbon atoms, twelve hydrogen atoms, and six oxygen atoms. ATP, on the other hand, is a nucleotide molecule composed of an adenine base, a ribose sugar, and three phosphate groups.
2. Role: Glucose is a primary source of energy in organisms. It undergoes a series of reactions called cellular respiration in the presence of oxygen, releasing ATP and carbon dioxide. ATP, in contrast, is considered the "energy currency" of cells. It stores and transports energy within cells for various metabolic processes.
3. Energy content: Glucose molecules are rich in potential energy due to the arrangement of carbon-hydrogen bonds. When glucose is chemically broken down during cellular respiration, energy is released and captured in the form of ATP. Each glucose molecule can produce a net gain of approximately 36-38 ATP molecules through cellular respiration.
4. Usage: ATP provides readily available energy for various cellular functions. When a cell requires energy, ATP is hydrolyzed into ADP (adenosine diphosphate) and an inorganic phosphate group, thereby releasing energy that can be utilized by the cell. Once ATP is used, it can be regenerated through processes like aerobic respiration or photosynthesis.
To summarize, glucose is the initial source of energy in cellular respiration, while ATP is the molecule that stores and transfers energy for various cellular activities. Glucose is metabolized to produce ATP, which is then used by cells as an immediate source of energy.