Question

What is the role of ATP when large molecules need to be transported across the cell membrane against the concentration gradient?

Answer 1

Answer:

b. the bond between the phosphate groups is broken to release energy

Explanation:

• Phosphate groups are negatively charged => there is a pull between the two groups

=> it's easy to break this bond & ATP is unstable

=> ATP has a lot of free energy

• breaking the bond between phosphate groups makes the molecules more stable (aka contains less free energy)

=> delta G <0

=> breaking this bond releases energy

• the energy released by ATP is then used to transport large molecules against the concentration gradient