Adenosine triphosphate
1. Differentiate between catabolic and anabolic chemical pathways. Using these definitions, how would you classify what is happening inside a dead bird? a green plant?
The term catabolism refers to all of the catabolic reactions that are occurring in a cell. Catabolic reactions refers to the breaking down of larger molecules into smaller molecules which requires the breaking of bonds. Since chemical bonds are broken in catabolic reactions, energy is released. These types of reactions therefore are a cell’s major source of energy.
To the contrary, anabolism refers to anabolic reactions that are occurring in a cell. Anabolic reactions involve the formation of smaller molecules into larger molecules. This requires the formation of bonds. Since bonds are formed, energy is required. Once formed, the bonds store energy (1).
The table below represents the key differences between catabolic and anabolic reactions.
Catabolic reactions Anabolic reaction
Release energy Require energy
Involves breaking of bonds which releases energy Involves creating bonds that requires energy
Large molecules are broken down into smaller molecules Smaller molecules are bonded together to create larger molecules.
In a dead bird microorganisms are breaking down the tissues via catabolic biochemical pathways. We know this because a catabolic reaction is decomposition which happens when something dies.
A green plant on the other hand is an example of an anabolic reaction because green plant-chloroplasts are forming glucose, cellulose, and starch through anabolic biochemical pathways.
2. What is ATP (in terms of molecular composition), why is it formed, and how does it do its work?
Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is the most important molecule in cells. ATP is a compound composed of three components. The center is a ribose sugar, which is the same sugar that forms the basic structure of RNA. Attached to this sugar is a nitrogenous purine base, adenine. A base is a
The term catabolism refers to all of the catabolic reactions that are occurring in a cell. Catabolic reactions refers to the breaking down of larger molecules into smaller molecules which requires the breaking of bonds. Since chemical bonds are broken in catabolic reactions, energy is released. These types of reactions therefore are a cell’s major source of energy.
To the contrary, anabolism refers to anabolic reactions that are occurring in a cell. Anabolic reactions involve the formation of smaller molecules into larger molecules. This requires the formation of bonds. Since bonds are formed, energy is required. Once formed, the bonds store energy (1).
The table below represents the key differences between catabolic and anabolic reactions.
Catabolic reactions Anabolic reaction
Release energy Require energy
Involves breaking of bonds which releases energy Involves creating bonds that requires energy
Large molecules are broken down into smaller molecules Smaller molecules are bonded together to create larger molecules.
In a dead bird microorganisms are breaking down the tissues via catabolic biochemical pathways. We know this because a catabolic reaction is decomposition which happens when something dies.
A green plant on the other hand is an example of an anabolic reaction because green plant-chloroplasts are forming glucose, cellulose, and starch through anabolic biochemical pathways.
2. What is ATP (in terms of molecular composition), why is it formed, and how does it do its work?
Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is the most important molecule in cells. ATP is a compound composed of three components. The center is a ribose sugar, which is the same sugar that forms the basic structure of RNA. Attached to this sugar is a nitrogenous purine base, adenine. A base is a