Question

homework - atp and adp
a student is planning a model of the atp - adp cycle. what should the student include in the model to show how the cell uses energy from the breakdown of food molecules to generate more energy?
a phosphate group breaking off of an atp molecule
a phosphate group breaking off of an adp molecule
the addition of a phosphate group to an adp molecule
the addition of a phosphate group to an atp molecule

Explanation:

ATP (adenosine - triphosphate) has high - energy phosphate bonds. When a phosphate group breaks off an ATP molecule (hydrolysis of ATP), energy is released for the cell to use. Adding a phosphate group to ADP (forming ATP) stores energy, while breaking a phosphate from ADP doesn't release as much energy as from ATP, and adding a phosphate to ATP is not a common energy - releasing process.

Answer:

A. a phosphate group breaking off of an ATP molecule