What are some energy storing molecules?
1 Answer
Energy-storing molecules can be of two types: long-term and short-term. Usually, ATP is considered the most common molecule for energy storage, however.
Explanation:
To understand the basis of these molecules, remember that chemical bonds always store energy. That is the crucial concept.
Some bonds store more energy than others. When these chemical bonds are broken, energy is released.
For example, a single covalent bond can release so many kilojoules of energy. But, when forming a molecule (like water), energy is 'taken up' by that new molecule. It is added. Where is it stored? In that covalent bond.
(KEY: Energy and matter are interconvertible).
ATP, or adenosine triphosphate, is the most commonly used transport molecule that quickly carries usable energy around inside cells. It is used for cell growth, like mitosis. It is also going to be made (formed) from biological pathways like glycolysis and fermentation.
If ATP is a short-term energy molecule (you can explore it further--the energy is stored in the phosphodiester bonds), then there are long-term energy storage molecules. These are considered 'fuel' for living organisms. They include the lipids, proteins, carbohydrates, and nucleic acids. Note that all four of these are organic compounds. They are much larger than ATP.
Hope this helps.
