rdfs:comment
| - Cells use two basic forms of energy: Nucleoside Triphosphate Electrochemical gradient, as created by the concentration gradient of an ion. The basic molecule that is used to power most cell functions is ATP, Adenosine Triphosphate. By hydrolysis of the last phosphate bond, energy is produced, which is then used for cellular functions. All the nucleoside triphosphates are used to some extent as an energy source, with ATP leading, followed by GTP (Guanosine Triphosphate), CTP (Cytidine Triphosphate) and UTP (Uridine-5'-Triphosphate).
|
abstract
| - Cells use two basic forms of energy: Nucleoside Triphosphate Electrochemical gradient, as created by the concentration gradient of an ion. The basic molecule that is used to power most cell functions is ATP, Adenosine Triphosphate. By hydrolysis of the last phosphate bond, energy is produced, which is then used for cellular functions. All the nucleoside triphosphates are used to some extent as an energy source, with ATP leading, followed by GTP (Guanosine Triphosphate), CTP (Cytidine Triphosphate) and UTP (Uridine-5'-Triphosphate). The other main source of energy is often in the form of protons moving down an electrochemical gradient, as used by ATP synthase to synthesize ATP. The gradient is created when H+ ions (essentially protons) are pumped to one side of a membrane, creating a difference in concentration and electrical potential. As H+ ions pass through the membrane, energy is generated which powers cell functions. For more info, see the related Wikipedia articles: [1], [2], [3], [4], [5], [6]. All of the previous are, however, just the intermediate holders of the energy that is released from the food before-hand. The energy from the food is put there by autotrophs, usually plants or cyanobacteria, which ultimately comes from the sun. A little bit of energy comes from other sources, such as inorganic chemicals from deep-sea vents.
|