Question

Father of the ATP cycle is
A. Galton
B. Berg
C. Lipman
D. Alec Jeffreys

Answer 1

ATP is the primary energy currency of the cell which is used to carry out a number of cellular processes like transport of molecules across the membrane, respiration, muscle contraction, biosynthesis of different molecules (amino acids, lipids, etc.). It consists of a nitrogenous base (adenine), the sugar (ribose), and a chain of three high energy phosphate groups bound to ribose.

Complete answer:
- The phosphate groups of ATP are the main source of power and the contained energy is released when these bonds are broken by hydrolysis.
- Usually, outer phosphate is removed during hydrolysis, and that yields the energy. This gives rise to adenosine diphosphate (ADP) which has two phosphate groups attached to it.
- In a cell, ATP is being continuously utilized and synthesized in several processes. It occurs by dephosphorylation and phosphorylation of ADP by distinct enzymes.
- The prime role of ATP was discovered in 1941 by Fritz Albert Lipmann and Herman Kalckar. Fritz Albert Lipmann was also the first one to propose the ATP cycle.
- ATP cycle involves the dephosphorylation of the ATP, which is an exothermic process, resulting in Adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and inorganic phosphate (Pi). Synthesis of ATP is an endothermic process that involves phosphorylation of ADP to form ATP.

Therefore, the correct answer is (C) Lipmann.

Note: - In a cell, an ATP molecule is usually utilized within a minute of its synthesis.
- ATP turnover is very high.
- ATP is also used as a coenzyme and also acts as a precursor to DNA and RNA.