Role of ATP and NADH
Energy Carriers
• ATP
• NADP+
• NAD+
▫ play a vital role in trapping and transferring
energy in cellular activities
ADP and ATP
• ADP is short for Adenosine Diphosphate
▫ this is a molecule found in the cells of all
organisms
• ADP is a low energy molecule
ADP and ATP
• ATP -Adenosine Triphosphate
- formed when another phosphate is added to ADP
• = Extra energy as now an extra bond between the last
two phosphate groups
• Addition of a phosphate like this is called
Phosphorylation
• ***ATP is rich in energy and stores this energy
carrying it around in the cell
ADP and ATP
• ATP cannot store energy for very long it breaks
down releasing energy and converting back to
ADP
• Most cells release energy from ATP 10 million
times every second!
• This energy is used for cellular reactions
Learning Check
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What do ADP and ATP stand for?
What base is found in ATP and ADP?
What sugar is found in ATP and ADP?
Which is a higher energy molecule?
How does ADP become ATP?
This process is called p..................................
How is the energy in ATP released?
NADP+ and NADPH (photosynthesis)
• NADP+ is a low energy molecule
• NADP+ can combine with 2 high energy electrons
and a proton to form NADPH
• NADPH is a very high energy
molecule
 It’s energy is used to form glucose in
photosynthesis
NAD+ and NADH (Respiration)
• NAD+ is a low
energy molecule
• It can combine with 2 high energy electrons and
a proton to form NADH
• NADH which is very high energy
• Remember P for Photosynthesis, NADP+ is
used in photosynthesis NAD+ in respiration
• Both NADH and NADPH release energy and
protons when they break down into NAD+ and
NADP+
• These electrons, protons and energy are used by
cells
Learning Check
• Is NADP+ used in photosynthesis or
respiration?
• What combines with NAD+ and NADP+ to form
NADH and NADPH?
• What do NADH and NADPH provide for
reactions in cells?
• How do they provide these things?
Syllabus Can You?........
• Explain the role of ATP and describe how it is
formed from ADP + P
• Explain the role of NADP+ in trapping and
transferring electrons and hydrogen ions in cell
activities