From the Guidelines
A high energy phosphate compound is a molecule that stores and transfers energy within cells through phosphate bonds, with adenosine triphosphate (ATP) being the most important example, as it is the primary energy currency of the cell. The energy from these compounds is derived from the breakdown of phosphate bonds, which release significant energy when hydrolyzed. Some key points about high energy phosphate compounds include:
- They contain phosphate groups connected by phosphoanhydride bonds that release energy when broken, as seen in the production of ATP from adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and inorganic phosphate 1.
- The breakdown of these bonds powers numerous biological processes, including muscle contraction, active transport, and biosynthesis.
- Other examples of high energy phosphate compounds include creatine phosphate (phosphocreatine) and guanosine triphosphate (GTP), which play important roles in muscle and brain tissue, as well as protein synthesis and signal transduction. The high energy nature of these bonds results from electron repulsion between adjacent negatively charged oxygen atoms and resonance stabilization of the products after hydrolysis, allowing cells to efficiently store energy from food and release it when needed 1. Key characteristics of high energy phosphate compounds include:
- The ability to store and transfer energy within cells
- The presence of phosphate groups connected by phosphoanhydride bonds
- The release of significant energy when these bonds are broken
- The importance of these compounds in powering essential biological processes.
From the Research
Definition of High Energy Phosphate Compounds
- High energy phosphate compounds are molecules that contain phosphate groups with high energy bonds, which can be broken down to release energy and drive various cellular processes.
- Examples of high energy phosphate compounds include adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and creatine phosphate (CrP) 2, 3.
Characteristics of High Energy Phosphate Compounds
- High energy phosphate compounds have phosphoanhydride P-O bonds that are considered to be "high energy" linkages, which release free energy when broken 4.
- The hydrolysis of high energy phosphate compounds, such as ATP, is often described as "strongly exergonic", although this description has been disputed 4.
- High energy phosphate compounds play a crucial role in cellular energy metabolism, signaling, and transport processes 5, 6.
Examples of High Energy Phosphate Compounds
- Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is a key high energy phosphate compound that serves as the primary energy currency of the cell 2, 5, 4, 6.
- Creatine phosphate (CrP) is another important high energy phosphate compound that plays a critical role in muscle energetics and work 3.
- Both ATP and CrP are involved in various cellular processes, including energy production, signaling, and transport, and their dysregulation has been implicated in various diseases 2, 3, 6.