What is the Difference Between ATP and NADPH?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚ATP and NADPH are both essential molecules in photosynthesis, but they have distinct functions and structures:
- ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate):
- Primary function: Provides energy to various biochemical reactions.
- Structure: Consists of a ribose sugar, an adenine base, and a triphosphate group.
- Production: ATP is produced during aerobic respiration, photosynthesis, and fermentation.
- Role in photosynthesis: ATP is involved in the light-independent reactions (Calvin Cycle) and provides energy to convert carbon dioxide into glucose.
- NADPH (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Phosphate):
- Primary function: Donates electrons to the dark reaction of photosynthesis.
- Structure: Similar to ATP, NADPH also contains a ribose sugar, an adenine base, and a triphosphate group.
- Production: NADPH is produced by cyclic photophosphorylation.
- Role in photosynthesis: NADPH is involved in the reduction of carbon dioxide into glucose in the Calvin Cycle.
In summary, ATP serves as an energy carrier, while NADPH acts as an electron carrier in the photosynthetic process. Both molecules play crucial roles in energy transfer and storage, but their primary functions differ.
Comparative Table: ATP vs NADPH
Here is a table comparing the differences between ATP and NADPH:
Feature | ATP | NADPH |
---|---|---|
Chemical Formula | C10H16N5O13P3 | C21H29N7O17P3 |
Number of Phosphate Groups | 3 | 2 |
Function | Provides energy to various biochemical reactions | Donates electrons to the dark reaction of photosynthesis |
Role in Photosynthesis | Produced in the first electron transport chain | Produced in the second electron transport chain |
Synthesis Pathways | Cellular respiration, photophosphorylation, and fermentation | Pentose phosphate pathway in animals and Calvin cycle in plants |
Usage | Provides energy for various types of biochemical reactions, including anabolic reactions and cell division | Serves as a reducing agent in anabolic reactions and the Calvin cycle in photosynthesis |
ATP is the energy currency of the cell, while NADPH serves as a coenzyme that donates electrons and hydrogens to reactions catalyzed by various enzymes. The hydrolysis of ATP releases energy, whereas the oxidation of NADPH provides electrons.
Read more:
- NAD+ NADH vs NADPH
- NAD vs NADP
- ATP vs ADP
- Glucose vs ATP
- ATP vs GTP
- NADH vs FADH2
- ATPase vs ATP Synthase
- Oxidative phosphorylation vs Photophosphorylation
- Photosystem 1 vs Photosystem 2
- Light Reaction vs Calvin Cycle
- Chemiosmosis in Mitochondria vs Chloroplast
- Photocatalysis vs Electrocatalysis
- Photosynthesis vs Cellular Respiration
- Phototrophs vs Chemotrophs
- Photosynthesis vs Chemosynthesis
- Cyclic vs Noncyclic Photophosphorylation
- Photochemical vs Electrochemical Reaction
- Phosphorylase vs Phosphatase
- Electron Transport Chain in Mitochondria vs Chloroplasts