Why is ATP an important molecule in metabolism?
A) Its hydrolysis provides an input of free energy for exergonic reactions.
B) It provides energy coupling between exergonic and endergonic reactions.
C) Its terminal phosphate group contains a strong covalent bond that, when hydrolyzed, releases free energy.
D) Its terminal phosphate bond has higher energy than the other two phosphate bonds.
E) It is one of the four building blocks for DNA synthesis.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

ATP is an important molecule in metabolism because it provides energy coupling between exergonic (energy-releasing) and endergonic (energy-requiring) reactions. In other words, ATP acts as an intermediary, transferring energy from one reaction to another. This is important for sustaining life, as it allows cells to perform the necessary chemical reactions required to maintain homeostasis and carry out cellular processes. While options A, C, and D are true, they only explain one aspect of ATP's importance in metabolism. Option E is not correct, as ATP is not a building block for DNA synthesis - rather, ATP is involved in the synthesis of nucleotides, which are the building blocks of DNA.

Why Is ATP an Important Molecule in Metabolism