ATP is the immediate source of energy for muscle contraction. The resting concentration of ATP in skeletal muscle is approximately 5.4×10−3 mmol g−15.4 \times 10^{-3}\text{ mmol g}^{-1}5.4×10−3 mmol g−1. During maximum intensity exercise, ATP in skeletal muscle is hydrolysed at a rate of approximately 3.6 mmol kg−1 s−13.6\text{ mmol kg}^{-1}\text{ s}^{-1}3.6 mmol kg−1 s−1. If ATP was not continuously resynthesised by metabolic pathways, maximum exercise could only be sustained for a very short duration.
Calculate how long maximum exercise would last if ATP was not resynthesised. Show your working.
ATP is the immediate source of energy for muscle contraction. In the pectoralis (flight) muscle of the ruby-throated hummingbird (Archilochus colubris), the resting concentration of ATP is approximately 9.1 × 10-3 mmol g-1. During rapid hovering flight, ATP in this muscle is hydrolysed at a rate of approximately 6.5 mmol kg-1 s-1.
Calculate how long this hummingbird could sustain hovering flight if ATP was not continuously resynthesised. Show your working.
ATP is the immediate source of energy for muscle contraction in insects. In the flight muscle of the honeybee (Apis mellifera), the resting concentration of ATP is approximately 6.3×10−3 mmol g−16.3 \times 10^{-3}\text{ mmol g}^{-1}6.3×10−3 mmol g−1. During active flight, ATP in the flight muscle is hydrolysed at a rate of approximately 14.0 mmol kg−1 s−114.0\text{ mmol kg}^{-1}\text{ s}^{-1}14.0 mmol kg−1 s−1.
If ATP was not continuously resynthesised, calculate how long active flight could be sustained using only the resting ATP store. Show your working.
Practise AQA A Level Biology ATP with exam-style questions for A Level Biology. 3 questions covering ATP, matched to the AQA A Level Biology (7402) specification and written in Paper 1, Paper 2 and Paper 3 style. Every question includes a full worked solution and mark scheme, so you can see where marks are awarded rather than just whether you got the answer right.