Question

When the terminal phosphate linkage in ATP is broken using water, the energy released is equivalent to _______.
1. 30.5 kJ/mol
2. 111 kJ/mol
3. 1.8 kJ/mol
4. 89 kJ/mol

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 1 : 30.5 kJ/mol

The correct answer is 30.5 kJ/mol.

Explanation:

• ATP (Adenosine triphosphate) is the energy currency for most cellular processes. 
• The three phosphate groups in this ATP molecule are known as high energy bonds because when they are broken, they release a large amount of energy.
• The energy released during the process of cellular respiration is immediately used to synthesize a molecule called ATP from ADP and inorganic phosphate.

\(ADP+P\overset{Energy}{\rightarrow}ADP-P= ATP\)​

Where P is phosphate.

• The synthesized molecule ATP is used to fuel all other activities in the cell.
• In these processes, ATP is broken down which produces a fixed amount of energy that can drive the endothermic reactions taking place in the cell.

Thus, when the terminal phosphate linkage in ATP is broken using water, the energy equivalent to 30.5 kJ/mol is released.