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ADP Full Form

ADP Full Form

Edited By Team Careers360 | Updated on Apr 26, 2023 02:01 PM IST

What is the full form of ADP?

The full form of ADP is Adenosine diphosphate. ADP is the acronym for Adenosine diphosphate. It is used to construct ATP. The complete form of ADP is determined as adenosine diphosphate, depending upon its chemical structure. Adenosine diphosphate is an organic compound produced during the body's metabolism. The primary role of ADP is the flow of energy throughout the cell to balance the biological system.

The fundamental structure of ADP contains three components - a sugar backbone, a phosphate compound, and adenine. These elements are interconnected in a definite pattern to constitute the fundamental structure of the molecule. The IUPAC identification name of the ADP molecule is Adenosine 5'- (trihydrogen diphosphates).

ADP is influential in biological functions such as glycolysis, catabolism, oxidative phosphorylation, etc. TGP can be additionally produced into Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and Adenosine monophosphate (AMP).

Adenosine Diphosphate is a chemical compound produced due to the metabolism action in the body. It is an important compound necessary for energy flow throughout a living organism. It is responsible for various biological functions taking place within a cell.

Metabolism is the compilation of chemical reactions in the cells to sustain life. Some of these reactions use stored energy to construct things up, referred to as anabolism. In contrast, other reactions break things down, releasing energy that can be preserved for future needs, called catabolism.

For two reasons, living things break down the three major groups of foods (proteins, fats, and carbohydrates) into their constituent parts.

  • Once the food atoms and groups of atoms and molecules are broken down, they can be constructed into the specific things the organism needs, like bone, muscle, skin, hair, bark, leaves, etc.

  • Breaking down the food molecules releases the energy that holds them all together, and that released energy is temporarily preserved by the cell for the re-building process. All these food types need a different breakdown strategy, but the result is the same: to take the energy that connects the food molecules and free it.

  • That results in energy storage in a form the cell can utilise later to construct what it needs. The cell has a significant kind of molecule for preserving energy which is known as ATP.

ATP (Adenosine triphosphate) is an essential molecule in all living things. When a cell needs the energy to complete a task, the ATP molecule breaks down one of its three phosphates, becoming ADP (Adenosine di-phosphate) + phosphate. The power which holds the phosphate molecule is then free and available to the task of the cell.

When the cell possesses extra energy (attained from breaking down food consumed or, in the case of plants, by the photosynthesis process), it preserves the energy by reconnecting a free phosphate molecule to ADP and becomes an ATP molecule. Therefore, ADP can be converted into a molecular compound with an alternative number of phosphate groups, such as adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and adenosine monophosphate (AMP).

ADP-PI-ATP

ATP-ADP

Terminology:

The ADP is termed Adenosine Diphosphate because of the recombination of the phosphate group. The fundamental property of ADP is the transmission of energy from one cell to another. However, during this energy transfer process, phosphate group recombination occurs. The power is released from the ATP molecule under hydrolysis.

In hydrolysis, the phosphate group also referred to as the phosphoanhydride bond of adenosine triphosphate, is broken to withdraw one phosphate group, resulting in the formation of adenosine diphosphate. Therefore, the ATP is converted into ADP, releasing a certain amount of energy transferred from one molecule to another to complete various biological functions.

Composition and Structure of ADP

ADP consists of adenosine and two phosphate groups occurring in DNA. Adenine (a purine base containing nitrogen in DNA) combines with a sugar molecule to become the adenosine component.

When adenosine connects to one phosphate group, it is termed adenosine monophosphate (AMP). When connecting with two phosphate groups, it is called adenosine diphosphate (ADP); connecting with three phosphate groups is called Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP).

Relation between ATP and ADP:

ADP is a molecular compound shaped due to the reacting action of ATP molecules. ATP goes under hydrolysis in the presence of a catalyst, resulting in the breakdown of a phosphate group. Therefore, removing one phosphate group from adenosine triphosphate leads to adenosine diphosphate (ADP) production.

This reaction produces a certain amount of energy, which transfers energy between one cell and another to complete different biological functions. Moreover, ATP can be further synthesised into adenosine monophosphate due to the detachment of more than one phosphate group. The chemical reaction of breaking down the phosphate group is called dephosphorylation.

ATP/ADP Energy Cycle

ADP is derived from ATP, but ADP can be transformed into ATP. With the removal of one phosphate group (dephosphorylation), ATP produces ADP, and with phosphorylation, ADP converts into ATP. This conversion reaction between ATP and ADP is called ATP/ADP cycle.

ADP is converted to ATP through the process of photosynthesis in plants. In animals, ATP is preserved through the breakdown of glucose and other molecules. The conversion occurs through cellular respiration or aerobic respiration in humans.

The conversion of ATP to ADP is termed the release of energy, and the transformation from ADP to ATP refers to energy storage. This cycle of storage and release takes place simultaneously.

Energy Transfer

Adenosine diphosphate is known for its primary role in transferring energy from one cell to another. ADP has a basic structure consisting of two phosphate groups. Therefore, energy production occurs due to the dephosphorylation of ATP.

This reaction of dephosphorylation of ATP is caused due to the response of several enzymes called ATPases. During the energy release, metabolic reactions occur, which cause ADP reformation.

Functions of ADP:

ADP is already known for transferring energy from one cell to another to synthesize several biological processes. However, it leads to several other reactions, which include,

  • Oxidative phosphorylation: Oxidative Phosphorylation occurs inside the organelle mitochondria in the presence of oxygen. This process is grouped with the respiratory chain, in which a phosphate group is associated with ADP to produce ATP. This association, influenced by ATPase enzymes, has a certain amount of energy.

  • Muscle contraction: Muscle contraction occurs due to the hydrolysis of ATP to ADP. The hydrolysis delivers a phosphate group, which results in the breakdown of the head of the myosin, which causes muscular contraction.

  • Formation of creatine phosphate: The creatine phosphate is developed by the synthesis action of ADP under the influence of the Creatine Kinase catalyst. Creatine phosphate, also known as phosphocreatine, is a chemical compound infused with tremendous energy.

  • Glycolysis: Glycolysis is a chemical process that changes glucose into pyruvic acid. This breakdown process of glucose releases a considerable amount of energy. However, the energy released from the hydrolysis of ATP to ADP is needed to start the glycolysis reaction.

Conclusion:

ADP stands for adenosine diphosphate, a molecule that transfers energy from one cell to another. This energy transmission leads to the development of several biological functions in our living organisms. However, this energy is formed by the hydrolysis reaction between ATP and ADP in the presence of a catalyst called ATPase. The reaction to form energy is called dephosphorylation.

In the dephosphorylation reaction, one or more phosphate groups are broken down and detached from the compound. ADP is responsible for several other biological features, including oxidative phosphorylation, muscle contraction, formation of creatine phosphate, glycolysis, catabolism, etc.

Frequently Asked Question (FAQs)

1. We know ADP and a phosphate group gives ATP, but how is ADP formed in light reaction during the electron transport process?

ADP is formed from adenosine monophosphate (AMP), a nucleotide. There is continuous synthesis, and use is going on within the cell. Chemical reactions continuously occur inside the cell. These processes generate all the chemicals needed for the cell to function.

Production of nucleotides requires a pentose sugar (ribose), N2 base, and Phosphate group. For the formation of AMP, the N-base is adenine. So adenine, ribose sugar, and phosphate group are needed to form AMP, which includes ADP by taking up another phosphate group.

2. Define photosynthesis?

Photosynthesis is the process by which green plants and certain other organisms transfer light energy into chemical energy. During the photosynthesis process in green plants, light energy is occupied and used to transform water, carbon dioxide, and minerals into oxygen and energy-rich organic compounds.

3. During what stage of photosynthesis is ATP converted to ADP?

During the conversion of carbon dioxide to the glucose stage of photosynthesis, ATP is converted to ADP.

Conversion of ATP to ADP takes place when the carbohydrate is produced. Reducing carbon to form intermediate carbohydrate compounds and glucose requires energy. This energy is found to be acquired from ATP molecules by breaking the energy-rich phosphate bonds, resulting in the production of ADP.

4. State the uses of ADP?

ADP is used to perform various functions in the body. Cellular energy is used for fulfilling many tasks, such as:

  • To carry signals between neurons.

  • Clotting of blood

  • Repairing damaged cells

  • Maintenance functions

5. How is ADP energy produced?

ADP is recognized for the transfer of energy from one cell to another. However, this energy is produced due to the hydrolysis reaction between Adenosine diphosphate and Adenosine triphosphate in the presence of an enzyme called ATPase, which releases massive energy.

6. Why is ATP known as "energy currency"?

ATP is termed the "energy currency" of the cell because the ATP molecule breaks off one of its three phosphates, becoming ADP (Adenosine di-phosphate) and phosphate to release energy per cellular requirements. The energy holding that phosphate molecule is released and available for the cell to use.

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