Question

describe the defining characteristics of atp structure that makes it an ideal molecule to use for energy coupling

Answer 1

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) which is a energy carrying molecule found in the living things. It grab energy obtained from break down of food and release to fuel other cellular process.

Cell need energy for the metabolic reaction, transport substance across the membrane and to do mechanical work. Energy is stored in the form of glycogen and fats. And when cell need energy it converted in the form of ATP. ATP serve as an shuttle and deliver energy in the cell for cellular activity. Like Glycolysise in cellular respiration.

ATP consist of nitrogen base (adenine), sugar (ribose) and chain of three phosphate groups bound to ribose. The actual power to any molecule is provided by the break down of phosphate group like in the case of first step of glycolysis. Phosphate is actual power source. The energy is contained in the bond between the phosphates and released when they are broken with the help of enzyme like in glycolysis with help of Hexokinase. Generally with the addition of water molecule. (Hydrolysis)

Usually only outer phosphate is removed from ATP to yield energy and it converted to ADP the form of nucleotide having only two phosphate group.