ATP (adenosine triphosphate) breaks down through a stepwise process of phosphate group removal.
Here's a breakdown:
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ATP to ADP: ATP loses one phosphate molecule, becoming ADP (adenosine diphosphate). According to the provided reference, "ATP breaks down into ADP (adenosine diphosphate) by losing one of the phosphate molecules...". This reaction releases energy that the cell can use to perform work.
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ADP to AMP: ADP can further breakdown by losing another phosphate molecule to become AMP (adenosine monophosphate). The reference also states that "...ADP breaks down into AMP (adenosine monophosphate) by losing another phosphate molecule". This releases more energy, although typically less than the ATP to ADP conversion.
In summary, ATP breakdown is a sequential process of phosphate group removal, yielding energy at each step. The end products are ADP and AMP, along with inorganic phosphate.
| Step | Reaction | Products | Energy Release |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Breakdown | ATP → ADP + Phosphate | ADP (Adenosine Diphosphate) | Yes |
| 2nd Breakdown | ADP → AMP + Phosphate | AMP (Adenosine Monophosphate) | Yes |
