1)What is it about the structure of ATP that contributes to its ability to act as an energy currency? 2)When a phosphate is transferred from ATP, it can phosphorylate another molecule. How could this assist in allowing a protein to transport molecules against their concentration gradient?

1) The ability of the ATP compound structure to act as an energy currency has been explained in the answers.

2) The method used by ATP to allow protein transport molecules against their concentration gradient has been explained below.

1) ATP is an acronym that stands for Adenosine triphosphate. This compound called ATP is divided into three phosphate groups with phosphate bonds that possess very high energy. Now, when water is added to ATP, the phosphate bonds that possess high energy will be broken down thereby releasing energy and producing adenosine diphosphate (ADP).

2) We saw above that when ATP undergoes hydrolysis, the phosphate bonds are broken down to form ADP and releases energy. However, it can undergo further phosphorylation to form another molecule which becomes energized when it goes to a higher energy state.

Now, In this higher energy state it gets to, it will be observed that the protein will possess enough energy to transfer molecules against a concentration gradient that requires energy.

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Answer/Exlanation:

1) ATP (adenosine triphosphate) can be hydrolyzed such that it loses a phosphate group to form ADP (adenosine diphodphate). This is called ATP hydrolysis. This property allows ATP to act as energy currency because ATP hydrolysis releases the energy stored in the high energy phosphate bond.

2) Transporting molecules against their concentration gradient requires energy. When ATP loses its phosphate group, it can phosphorylate another molecule. This converts the molecule into its active state, giving that molecule the energy to pass through against the concentration gradient.