ATP

ATP

ATP or adenosine triphosphateThe energy currency of cells used for muscle contraction. is a very important molecule. We will refer to it often because it is like a currency of sorts.  ATP is a molecule that harvests energyThe capacity to do work or cause change. from our foods. It then uses this energy in our cellsThe basic structural and functional units of life.. Adenosine triphosphate can be considered a nucleic acidA substance that releases hydrogen ions (H⁺) in solution., like DNA.  I don’t know that I fully agree, but OK.  What encourages this classification is that ATP has an adenosine molecule, a sugar molecule, and some phosphate groups.  Those are definitely the 3 components of the subunits that make DNA and RNA.  But, ATP is used quite differently than DNA or RNA. Like all moleculesGroups of atoms bonded together., ATP carries energy in its bonds, especially the one that bonds the last phosphate group.  All day, every day, every second, you are harvesting energy from ATP. You are releasing energy from it. Then, you recycle it so you can use it again.  Think of it like rechargeable batteries.  You use them and then you have to recharge them.  When ATP is broken down, it becomes ADP or adenosine diphosphateA molecule produced when ATP releases energy. and releases energy from that last bond.  When you eat food, that last phosphate group is reattached to the ADP. This process traps energy in the bond.

ATP Cycle

The process that takes energy from your food and traps it in ATP is called cellular respirationThe process of gas exchange, including ventilation, external and internal respiration..  Don’t be fooled, respiration here doesn’t mean breathing, it means exchange of gases.  We are exchanging oxygen for carbon dioxide.  In addition, we are also exchanging glucoseA simple sugar that is the main source of energy for cells. for waterThe universal solvent essential for life..  Your cells need a constant supply of glucose and oxygen. This supply continually makes the ATP required for your heart to pump blood through your blood vessels. Additionally, it allows your diaphragm to contract for breathing and supports many other functions.  What I have here in this picture is a mitochondria.  These are like little ATP-making factories.  They take in glucose and oxygen and poop out carbon dioxide, water and ATP.  As indicated here, one glucose and one oxygen molecule can yield about 30 ATP molecules. 

Do your cells have ways other than cellular respiration to make ATP?  Yes.  But not without a price.  There are forms of anaerobicprocess that does not use oxygen respiration that can be employed. However, most produce some sort of acidicA solution with a pH below 7, having a higher concentration of H⁺ ions. substance as a by-product.  Muscle cramping after working out can be due to many things. One example is a potassium(K⁺): Major ICF cation; essential for muscle and nerve function. imbalance. There are also theories about lactic acid. These theories indicate that the lactic acid generated from anaerobic respiration causes the cramping associated with muscle soreness.

Cellular Respiration

The process that takes energy from your food and traps it in ATP is called cellular respiration.  Don’t be fooled, respiration here doesn’t mean breathing, it means exchange of gases.  We are exchanging oxygen for carbon dioxide.  In addition, we are also exchanging glucose for water.  Your cells need a constant supply of glucose and oxygen. This is essential to continually make the ATP required for your heart to pump blood through your blood vessels. It is also necessary for your diaphragm to contract for breathing, among many other functions.  What I have here in this picture is a mitochondria.  These are like little ATP-making factories.  They take in glucose and oxygen and poop out carbon dioxide, water and ATP.  As indicated here, one glucose and one oxygen molecule can yield about 30 ATP molecules. 

Do your cells have ways other than cellular respiration to make ATP?  Yes.  But not without a price.  There are forms of anaerobic respiration that can be used. However, most create an acidic substance as a by-product.  We are finding that muscle cramping after working out can be due to many things. One example is a potassium imbalance. However, there are theories that indicate the lactic acid generated from anaerobic respiration causes the cramping associated with muscle soreness.