Chemistry
The Role of ATP Hydrolysis in Driving Endergonic Metabolic Pathways
Quick fact
A single ATP molecule can drive the synthesis of more than a dozen different biomolecules, including glutamine, glycogen, and fatty acids, by transferring a phosphate group to them, making the reaction energetically favorable.
Why this is interesting
Your body is always doing something that seems to break the laws of nature: it builds giant protein molecules, pumps ions against gradients, and moves muscles—all without ever becoming a spontaneous reaction. How does a cell pay for these energy-hungry tasks?