Chapter 12.5, Problem 1CS

Core Skill: Connections Look back at Figure 6.3, which describes the hydrolysis of ATP. Why is ATP needed to charge a tRNA?

Figure 6.3 The hydrolysis of ATP to ADP and P_i. As shown in this figure, ATP has a net charge of −4, while ADP and P_i are shown with net charges of −2 each. When these compounds are shown in chemical reactions with other molecules, the net charges are also indicated. Otherwise, these compounds are simply designated ATP, ADP, and P_i. At neutral pH, ADP²⁻ dissociates to ADP³⁻ and H⁺.