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AAT Bioquest

Is the conversion of ATP to ADP spontaneous?

Posted August 3, 2021


Answer

Yes, the conversion of ATP to ADP is spontaneous. It doesn’t require energy to take place.  

ATP is a highly unstable molecule with three phosphate groups. The last two phosphate groups are attached by a high-energy bond known as the pyrophosphate bond. If ATP is not used immediately to perform work, it spontaneously detaches its third phosphate group, dissociating into ADP + Pi. The breaking of the high-energy pyrophosphate bond releases a large amount of free energy, which is lost as heat. Cells use a strategy called energy coupling to harness the energy within the ATP bonds.

Additional resources

ATP release, generation and hydrolysis in exocrine pancreatic duct cells

PhosphoWorks™ Luminometric ATP Assay Kit *Bright Glow*

PhosphoWorks™ Fluorimetric ADP Assay Kit *Red Fluorescence*