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POWER OF THE EPHEMERAL. "There are about 10(23) ATP molecules in the human body, with each cell containing about 1 billion ATP molecules, or just enough energy for a few minutes without incredibly fast recycling. In each individual ATP molecule “the terminal phosphate is added and removed 3 times each minute” (Arthur Kornberg, 1989). https://lnkd.in/eTAZ6fA View in LinkedIn

WHOPPING AMOUNTS. "Eighty percent of the oxygen consumed by the human body is used for energy production...It is estimated that in humans, the rate of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) synthesis varies daily from 80 moles (about 40 kg) at rest to 1800 moles (∼ 910 kg) during strenuous exercise." https://lnkd.in/e_kt3hH View in LinkedIn

THE GREEN FUSE. "ATP converts to ADP when it releases its phosphate energy, and the ADP molecule is recycled to the mitochondria to be recycled again as fully charged ATP. It is this cycle of phosphate exchange that drives the green fuse of all forms of life. A singular fact. https://lnkd.in/eU9uxsa View in LinkedIn

"PHOTOSYNTHESIS takes energy from photons and uses it to build complex molecules. However both systems use an electron transport chain and associated proton pump and ATP synthase as a key part of the process." https://lnkd.in/eJz4Gk5 View in LinkedIn

"PHOTOSYNTHESIS is often described as the reverse of cellular respiration. Respiration breaks down complex molecules to release energy that is used to make ATP." https://lnkd.in/eJz4Gk5 View in LinkedIn

ANCIENT SYMBIONTS. Both chloroplasts and mitochondria are of symbiotic bacterial origin, generating all cellular energy in plants and animals, and dictating cell suicide. These semi-independent organelles thus play a pivotal role in most of earth's life forms. Think again whose hand is on the steering wheel. View in LinkedIn

OBLIGATE CONSUMERS. "About 95% of the energy used by our body comes from ATP." https://lnkd.in/erbsHTb View in LinkedIn

PLANTS convert sunlight into chemical energy by photosynthesis in chloroplasts. Animals burn molecules made by plants and animal foods by respiration to make chemical energy in mitochondria. In both diverse systems, energy is stored in ATP and is released when it converts to ADP. View in LinkedIn

"ALL ENERGY ON EARTH originates from the sun." https://lnkd.in/e2Q2XzK View in LinkedIn

DESPITE ITS IMPORTANCE, most of the literature on ATP is very narrow and descriptive. There are few, if any, eulogies to this brilliantly constructed molecule: none celebrating its remarkable efficiency (never stored, used as needed); its ubiquity for absolutely all life forms; and its clever energy dose, suitable for thousands of types of biochemical reactions. View in LinkedIn