Senior High School

GENERAL BIOLOGY 1
Module 8
The Role of ATP in Energy Coupling
and Transfer and The Importance of
Chlorophyll and Other Plant
Pigments

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 Target

Every task performed by organisms requires energy. In fact, the cells of

every organism constantly use energy. Nutrients and other molecules are
imported, metabolized and synthesized into new molecules, modified and
transported around the cell and to the entire body of an organism. These cellular
processes require a steady supply of energy. Where and in what form this energy
come from? How do cells obtain energy and how they use it? At the end of this
module, the answers to these questions will be provided.
You learned from the previous chapter that our body needs the four major
biological macromolecules as an important cell component that performs a wide
array of functions. In this chapter, you will discover how the cells utilized these
macromolecules and how cells convert these molecules into usable form of
energy. The first part of this module will provide you a clearer understanding on
energy transformation or the energy flow through the living systems which
includes the coupled reaction processes and the role of ATP in energy coupling
and transfer. The second part of this module will be present the importance of
chlorophyll and other pigments in cellular metabolic processes particularly
known as photosynthesis.

After going through this lesson, you are expected to:

1. Explain coupled reaction processes and describe the role of ATP in energy
coupling and transfer (STEM_BIO11/12-IIa-j-1)
Specific learning objectives:

a. recognize the structure and function of ATP

b. provide examples of coupled reaction processes
c. describe how energy is stored and created during ATP production and
breakdown
2. Explain the importance of chlorophyll and other pigments.
(STEM_BIO11/12-IIa-j-3)

Specific learning objectives:

a. identify the various photosynthetic pigments present in plants and

algae
b. demonstrate the chromatography process
c. create art piece employing plant pigments.

PRETEST
Direction: Read carefully each question. Choose the letter of your BEST answer
and write on a separate sheet of paper.

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1. What chemical reaction requires a net input of energy?
A. Endergonic reaction B. Exergonic reaction
C. Metabolic reaction D. None of these
2. What chemical reaction releases energy?
A. Endergonic reaction B. Exergonic reaction
C. Metabolic reaction D. None of these
3. Which of the following is an example of endergonic reaction?
A. Anabolic reaction B. Cellular respiration
C. Photosynthesis D. All of these
4. Which reaction/s are often coupled in an organism?
A. Anabolic and catabolic B. Endergonic and exergonic
C. Hydrolysis and dehydration D. All of these
5. Hydrolysis is the addition of water to ATP breaking the bonds of its phosphate
group. What specific type of chemical reaction is hydrolysis?
A. Endergonic reaction B. Exergonic reaction
C. Metabolic reaction D. None of these
6. What kind of photosynthetic pigment is found in plants and algae that absorbs
blue-violet and red spectrum of the visible light?
A. Carotene B. Chlorophyll
C. Lycopene D. Zeaxanthin
7. What type of chlorophyll can be found in higher plants’ chloroplasts?
A. Chlorophyll a and b B. Chlorophyll a and c
C. Chlorophyll b and c D. Chlorophyll c and d
8. On what cellular structure does chlorophyll and other photosynthetic
pigments reside?
A. Cell Wall B. Chloroplast C. Nucleus D. Ribosome

9. What color of the visible light is reflected when the plant leaves appear as
green in color?
A. Blue B. Green C. Red D. Yellow

[Link] instrument is being used to differentiate which wavelengths of light a

substance can absorb?
A. Photo paper B. Prism
C. Spectrogram D. Spectrophotometer

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 The Role of ATP in Energy
Lesson Coupling and Transfer and the
Importance of Chlorophyll and
1 Other Plant Pigments in the
Absorption of Energy

Jumpstart

A living cell cannot store significant amounts of free energy. Excess free
energy would result in an increase of heat in the cell, which would result in
excessive thermal motion that could damage and then destroy the cell. Rather, a
cell must be able to handle that energy in a way that enables the cell to store
energy safely and release it for use only as needed. Living cells accomplish this
by using the compound adenosine triphosphate (ATP) which known as the
“energy currency” of the cell due to its versatility to fill any energy need of the
cell. How? It functions similarly to a rechargeable battery. To try to answer the
activity below to see how much you know already about the role of ATP.

Activity 1: Knowledge check

The diagram shows the basic outline of the structure of ATP. Please answer the
questions below to test your previous knowledge on the structure of ATP.

Q1. Which letter

indicates the
ribose sugar?

Q2. Which letter

indicates the
nitrogenous
base?
[
Q3. Which letter indicates the
phosphate group?

Source: [Link]

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 Source[Link] m

Q4. ATP acts as source of energy during cellular processes. Which bond
(represented by numbers 1,2 and 3 from the image above)breaks to release the
energy stored in it?

Discover

COUPLED REACTION PROCESSES

Energy production within a cell involves many coordinated chemical pathways.

Most of these pathways are combinations of oxidation and reduction in a
compound. An oxidation strips an electron from an atom in a compound, and the
addition of this electron to another compound is a reduction reaction or the so-
called redox reactions because they usually occur together. Examples of coupled
reactions are shown below.
A. Endergonic and Exergonic reactions
Endergonic reactions require an input of energy. An example of endergonic
reaction in the living system is photosynthesis. On the other hand, an exergonic
reactions release energy. An example of exergonic reaction is cellular respiration.
An illustration of these coupled reactions are shown below.
Endergonic Reaction Exergonic reaction

Copyright Cmassengale Copyright Cmassengale

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B. Exergonic hydrolysis of ATP and Endergonic dehydration process
Hydrolysis of ATP
It is the process of
breaking complex
macromolecules.
The hydrolysis of
ATP produces

ADP, together with

an inorganic
phosphate ion , and
the release of free
energy.

Dehydration of ATP
This reaction
reverse the
hydrolysis of ATP by
regenerating ATP.
This ATP
regeneration
requires an input of
free energy.
The formation of
ATP is illustrated
below.

ATP STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION

Adenosine triphosphate is comprised of adenosine bound to three

phosphate groups. At the heart of ATP is a molecule of adenosine
monophosphate (AMP), which is composed of adenine molecule bonded to a
ribose molecule and to a single phosphate group. Ribose is a five-carbon sugar

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found in RNA, and adenine is one of the nucleotides in RNA. The addition of a
second phosphate group to this core molecule results in the formation of
adenosine diphosphate (ADP); the addition of the third phosphate group forms
adenosine triphosphate. The Three phosphate groups are labeled as alpha, beta
and gamma. These chemical groups constitute an energy powerhouse.

However, not all bonds

within this molecule
exist in a particularly
highenergy state. The
bonds that link the
phosphate are equally
high energy bonds that
when broken, release
sufficient energy to
power a variety of
cellular reactions and
processes. These
highenergy bonds are
the bonds between the
second and third (beta
and gamma) phosphate
groups.

Chlorophyll and other Pigments

Different kinds of pigments exist and absorbs only certain wavelengths
(colors) of visible light. Pigments reflect or transmit the wavelengths they cannot
absorb, thus affecting how they appear to the human eye. Chlorophyll and
carotenoids are the two major classes of photosynthetic pigments found in plants
and algae; each class has a multiple types of pigment molecules. There are five
major chlorophylls: a, b, c, d and a related molecule found in prokaryotes called
bacteriochlorophyll. Chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b are found in higher plant
chloroplasts.
Carotenoids are much larger group of pigments. The carotenoids found in
fruit-such as the red tomato (lycopene), the yellow of corn seeds (zeaxanthin),
the orange of an orange peel (B-carotene) – are used as advertisements to
attract seed dispersers. In photosynthesis, carotenoids function as
photosynthetic pigments that are very efficient molecules for the disposal of
excess energy. These carotenoids reside in the thylakoid membrane, absorb
excess energy, and safely dissipate that energy as heat.

Each type of pigment can be identified by the specific pattern of

wavelength it absorbs from the visible light, which is the absorption spectrum.
The graph shows the absorption of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and other types
of carotenoid pigments. Notice how each pigment has a distinct set of peaks and
troughs, revealing a highly specific pattern of absorption. Chlorophyll a absorbs
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wavelengths from either end of the visible spectrum (blue and red), but not
green. Because green is reflected or transmitted, chlorophyll appears green.
Carotenoids absorb in the shortwavelength blue region, and reflect the long
yellow, red, and orange wavelengths.

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 Source: [Link]

Many photosynthetic organisms have a mixture of pigments; using them, the

organism can absorb energy from a wider range of wavelengths. An instrument
called spectrophotometer can differentiate which wavelengths of light a
substance can absorb. Spectrophotometers measure transmitted light and
compute from it the absorption. By extracting pigments from leaves and placing
theses samples to spectrophotometer, scientists can identify which wavelengths
of light an organism

Explore

Here are some activities to enrich your knowledge regarding the role of
ATP as to its structure, ATP decomposition and synthesis and the
ATPADP energy cycle. Good luck and have fun!

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Activity 2: Color Me Right!

Part 1. The Structure of ATP

ATP consist of three parts: 1 adenine molecule, 1 ribose sugar molecule and 3
phosphate molecules. Energy is stored in the bond that is found between the 2 nd
and 3rd phosphate groups.

• COLOR and LABEL the following in the ATP molecules below: adenine-red,
ribose-orange, 3 phosphate groups-yellow
• Circle the area that represents the HIGH ENERGY bond.

1 2 3

Part 2. ATP Decomposition

When a cell requires energy, it breaks off the last (3 rd) phosphate group from the
ATP molecule, which release energy. The molecule that is left over is called
adenosine diphosphate which consists of adenine, ribose sugar and TWO
phosphate groups. ADP contains less energy than ATP.

• COLOR and LABEL the following in the energy molecule below: adenine-
red, ribose- orange, first two phosphate groups- yellow, lone phosphate
group- purple. COLOR the energy release- green
• Circle the part of the image that makes up one molecule of ADP.

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Part 3: ATP synthesis

ATP molecules are constantly being rebuilt from ADP and lone phosphate groups.
This ensures that cells always have a source of energy. However, it takes energy
to make ATP. The energy to make ATP comes from a carbohydrate called
GLUCOSE. Glucose is a monosaccharide or simple sugar. Plants produce glucose
during photosynthesis.

• COLOR and LABEL the following in the energy molecule below: adenine-
red, ribose- orange, first two phosphate groups-yellow, lone phosphate
grouppurple. COLOR the energy absorbed- blue
• Is the ENTIRE energy molecule called ATP or ADP? Be sure to LABEL the
name below!
ENERGY Absorbed

Activity 3: Leaf Pigment Chromatography

Additional methods for the identification of plant pigments include various types
of chromatography that separates the pigments. Let us explore more on plant
pigments by doing the chromatography activity.

Materials

Isopropyl alcohol Beaker/clear glass/plastic cups

Ruler Pencil
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 Green Leaf Coin Scissors Tape
Coffee filter/chromatography paper Colored pencils/crayons

Procedure

1. Obtain a strip of chromatography paper or cut a 2 ½ cm strip from a coffee

filter.

2. Use a ruler to measure and draw a light pencil line 2 cm above the bottom of
the paper strip.

3. Wrap a leaf around a coin with the waxy side of the leaf facing outward. Now
rub the leaf along the light pencil line on the paper strip until you make a dark
green line. DO NOT RUB THE LEAF ABOVE OR BELOW THE LINE. RUB THE LEAF
ON THE LINE ONLY.

4. Tape the top of the paper strip so that the end of the strip with the green line
hangs down. The pencil should be able to sit across the top of the beaker/glass
with the bottom of the paper strip just touching the bottom of the beaker. Cut
off any excess paper from the top of the strip if it is too long. DO NOT CUT THE
BOTTOM OF THE STRIP WITH THE GREEN LINE.

5. Remove the pencil/paper strip from the beaker for now.

6. Carefully add isopropyl alcohol to the beaker until it reaches a depth of 1 cm in

the beaker.

7. Lay the pencil across the top of the beaker with the paper strip extending into
the alcohol. MAKE SURE THAT THE LEVEL OF THE ALCOHOL IS BELOW THE
GREEN LINE ON YOUR PAPER STRIP. IF THE ALCOHOL IS GOING TO COVER THE
GREEN LINE, POUR OUT SOME ALCOHOL BEFORE YOU GET THE GREEN LINE
WET.

8. Observe as the alcohol gets absorbed and travels up the paper. This may take
up to 20 minutes. Do not touch your experiment during this time.

9. Using colored pencils or crayons, DRAW your results.

Results
Filter paper Use colored pencils or crayons to draw your observations

Before
paper
chromatography

After paper
chromatography

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Conclusions

1. How does paper chromatography work in determining if different pigments

are present in a leaf?

__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________

2. Did the leaf you tested contain different pigments? Use your results to
support your answer?

__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________

3. Based on what you have learned, explain why leaves tend to change color
in the fall.
-
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________

Deepen

To further enrich your understanding of the ATP-ADP energy cycle or known as

ATP coupling and energy transfer, you are tasked to do the next activity. Your
output will be graded using the attached rubric.

Activity 4: ATP-ADP CYCLE

What you need

attached cut outs on the next page, crayons, color pens, scissors, glue, long
bond paper
What you have to do

1. See attached page for cut outs: Label all the ATP and ADP molecules.
LABEL Adenine, Ribose, Phosphate groups (1,2,3) both ATP and ADP
molecule with the following colors;

• COLOR entire ATP- green

• COLOR energy released- orange
• COLOR lightning bolt-purple
• COLOR lone phosphate in ADP-yellow
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 • COLOR entire ADP- blue
• COLOR energy absorbed-red
• Cut all four images and rearrange them on another sheet of long
bond paper showing the ATP-ADP cycle. Start with ATP on the top of
the worksheet. Glue the images and then ADD ARROWS to show
that this process is a continuous cycle. Give the cycle a title: ATP-
ADP Cycle
2. Work on your output following the rubrics below.
Your work will be graded using this rubric:

Criteria Excellent Good (7-6) Fair (5-4) Poor (3-1)

(10-8)

Content Content is Content is Content is Content is not

properly properly colored properly colored properly colored
colored and and but has one and but has more and has more
labeled incorrect label than one incorrect than one
label incorrect label

Presentation Clean, neat Neat but it has Lack neatness Lack neatness
and well one information and has one and has more
organized with incorrect information with than one
placement incorrect incorrect
placement placement

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For the next activity, you are going to incorporate art into science. Science is
driven by data, while art is an expression of creativity. Bringing these two
together can lead to a deeper understanding of science topics and help you to
develop creative problem solving skills.

Activity 3. Painting with Chlorophyll

What you need

8-10 leaves (spinach leaves or any leaves with lots of extracts), long bond paper,
metal spoon

What you have to do

1. Fold the paper into half.

2. Press firmly on the leaves between the pages and rub with a metal spoon.
Avoid plastic spoons as they break when pressed as firmly as necessary.
(balling up the leaves and using them as paintbrushes would be better as you
were able to control where the pigment was on the page.

3. You can have a template to paint on or you can draw/sketch choosing your
desired theme.

4. You work will be graded using the rubrics of performance below.

Criteria Excellent (10- Good (7-6) Fair (5-4) Poor (3-1)
8)

Painting Paint is applied Paint is applied Control is Control is

skills in a careful in a careful somewhat somewhat
manner, colors manner, colors lacking, color lacking, color
remain sharp are partially sharpness and sharpness and
and texture is sharp and texture are texture are not
evident texture is partially evident that evident
evident

Design/ Applies design Applies design Applies design Did not apply
composition principles (unity, principles principles most of the
balance, (unity, balance, (unity, balance, design
contrast, contrast, contrast, principles in his
emphasis etc.) emphasis etc.) emphasis etc.) work
with excellent with good skill with fair skill
skill

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 Gauge

Directions: Read and understand each question. Choose the letter of your BEST
answer. Use a separate sheet of paper for your answers.
1. Cells need energy to perform their works. What type of energy is used by the
cell?
A. Adenosine diphosphate B. Adenosine monophosphate
C. Adenosine triphosphate D. All of these
2. Which of the following works is/are performed by the cells?

A. Making polymers B. Muscle contractions

C. Pumping across membranes D. All of these

3. Which of the following is/are component/s of ATP?

A. Nitrogenous base B. Phosphate group
C. Ribose sugar D. All of these
4. What happened when ATP is broken down?
A. Energy is absorbed B. energy is lost
C. Energy is released D. None of these
5. Which of the three phosphate groups bond in ATP contains most of energy?
A. First-second B. Second-third
C. Both D. None of these
6. When ATP release energy, the molecule that is left after the bond break off is
called _________.

A. ADP B. AMP C. ATP D. All of these

7. Hydrolysis is the addition of water to ATP breaking the bonds of its phosphate
group. What type of chemical reaction is hydrolysis?
A. Endergonic reaction B. Exergonic reaction
C. Metabolic reaction D. None of these

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8. What happen during the ATP-ADP cycle?
A. ATP is synthesized from the chemical energy in glucose
B. ATP release energy, turning the molecule into ADP with lesser
amount of energy
C. ATP are being constantly rebuilt from ADP and lone phosphate group
to ensure continuous supply of energy
D. All of the above
9. When a cell requires energy, it breaks off the last (3 rd) phosphate group from
the ATP molecule, which release energy. This process is called ___________.
A. ATP cycle B. ATP decomposition

C. ATP synthesis D. All of these

10. What kind of photosynthetic pigment is found in plants and algae that
absorbs blue-violet and red spectrum of the visible light?
A. Carotene B. Chlorophyll
C. Lycopene D. Zeaxanthin
11. What method or technique is use in separating the components of plant
pigments?
A. Leaf chromatography B. Leaf extraction
C. Leaf painting D. None of these
12. The type of pigment can be identified by the specific pattern of wavelengths
it absorbs from the visible light. What do we call this portion of the
visible light?

A. Visible light spectra B. Reflection spectra

C. Absorption spectra D. Absorption of light
13. Which of the following statement is TRUE about photosynthetic pigments?
A. Many photosynthetic organisms have a mixture of pigments
B. Chlorophyll and carotenoids are the two major classes of
photosynthetic pigments in plants.
C. Each type of pigment can be identified by the specific pattern of
wavelength it absorbs from the visible light.
D. All of the above

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For nos. 14-15. Refer on the diagram below.
14. Each type of pigment can be identified by the specific pattern of wavelength
it absorbs from the visible light. Why plant leaves appear to be green in
color?
A. Green wavelength is absorbed by plant leaves
B. Green wavelength is reflected by plant leaves
C. All the wavelength is absorbed by plant leaves
D. All the wavelength is reflected by plant leaves
15. Based from the diagram below, which of the following statement is NOT true
about the absorption of plant pigments?
A. Chlorophyll a absorbs only the red and blue wavelengths
B. Chlorophyll b absorbs blue wavelengths better than chlorophyll a
C. Chlorophyll a absorbs all the wavelength from the visible light spectrum
D. Each type of pigment has an specific pattern of wavelength it absorbs from
the visible light

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