Question

Why is ATP used as an active energy source over glucose? A. It is more abundant in food sources. B. It releases its energy quickly in a single reaction. C. It releases its energy slowly through multiple reactions, allowing it to last longer. D. It has more energy.

Answer 1

Answer:

B. It releases its energy quickly in a single reaction.

Explanation:

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is an energy carrying molecule in living systems while Glucose is an organic molecule (carbohydrate) that stores a high amount of energy. Glucose is a monosaccharide and the smallest unit of carbohydrate-containing foods we eat. Chemical energy is stored in the chemical bonds that hold the glucose molecule.

However, during the process of cellular respiration, energy stored in glucose molecule is broken down and transferred to ATP, which stores energy between the phosphate bonds of its molecule. The energy in ATP is released to perform cellular activities when the phosphate bond of the last phosphate molecule is broken.

Although the glucose molecule stores way more energy than ATP molecule, the ATP molecule releases its energy quickly in a single reaction. This makes energy readily available for cellular functions. This property of ATP makes it an active energy source over glucose.