alleryStart learning →What happens to ATP that is not quickly used to perform work?
AIt is stored intact until the cell needs it
BIt is converted directly into glucose
CIt dissociates and its energy is lost as heat
DIt is exported from the cell by exocytosis
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: C. It dissociates and its energy is lost as heat
1. ATP is a highly unstable molecule.
2. Unless quickly used to perform work, ATP spontaneously dissociates into ADP and inorganic phosphate.
3. The free energy released during this dissociation is lost as heat rather than harnessed.
4. This instability is why a cell that already has abundant ATP shuts down further production instead of stockpiling it.
_Source: OpenStax Biology (1st ed., CC BY 4.0), Ch 6 "Metabolism", section 6.4 ATP: Adenosine Triphosphate_
Keep practising Metabolism
Browse all Metabolism questions for Ontario Secondary (Grade 9-12), or explore more Biology topics.
Related questions
Pick the metabolism fact, fastMatch the metabolism termsComplete the ATP storyMetabolism: true or false?What is feedback inhibition?Pyruvate dehydrogenase is a multi-enzyme complex. How many cofactors and coenzymes does itVitamin C serves as a coenzyme for enzymes that build which body component?What are the most common sources of coenzymes?