Chapter 5, Problem 50IF

Cellular Energy. A typical eukaryotic cell, such as a cell in the human body, uses about 2 × 10⁻¹⁷ joule of energy each second. The breakdown of a single molecule of ATP (in which a phosphate separates from ATP to make ADP; see Figure 5.13) releases about 5 × 10⁻²⁰ joule of energy. (a) About how many molecules of ATP must be broken down and reassembled each second to keep a eukaryotic cell alive? (b) How many times does this ATP recycling occur each day in a typical cell? (c) The human body has roughly 10¹⁴ cells. Approximately how many cycles of the ATP reaction occur each day in your body?