Energy is stored long-term in the bonds of blank and used short-term to perform work for an blank molecule
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Energy is stored long-term in the bonds of organic molecules and used short-term to perform work for an ATP molecule.
Explanation:
Organic molecules, like carbohydrates, fats, and proteins, store energy in the form of chemical bonds. These bonds contain potential energy that can be released when broken through metabolic processes like cellular respiration. The energy stored in these bonds is used to fuel various functions within living organisms. For example, when a cell needs energy for a process like muscle contraction or active transport, it taps into the chemical energy in the bonds of organic molecules.
However, breaking down organic molecules directly to provide energy would be inefficient for immediate tasks that require energy on a much shorter time scale. This is where ATP (adenosine triphosphate) comes in. ATP is often referred to as the “energy currency” of the cell because it stores energy in its phosphate bonds, which can be broken down quickly to release energy when needed.
When a cell needs to perform work, such as moving ions across a membrane or contracting muscle fibers, it breaks the high-energy bond in ATP, converting it to ADP (adenosine diphosphate) and an inorganic phosphate. This release of energy allows the cell to carry out various processes.
The reason ATP is used for short-term energy is that its breakdown releases a manageable amount of energy that is immediately usable. Unlike the long-term energy storage in organic molecules, ATP can be quickly regenerated from ADP through processes like cellular respiration, ensuring that the cell has a constant supply of energy available to perform work.
In summary, while organic molecules store energy over the long term, ATP is the molecule that provides immediate energy for cellular functions, making it essential for life processes.
