Question

why would a cell die if it could not make ATP? 100 - 200 word response

Answer 1

A cell is an open thermodynamic system which keeps on interacting with its environment by exchanging energy and matter for it's survival . A cell is said to be living if all the cellular processes like respiration , movements and metabolism is going on at regulated pace.Mostly ATP molecules are synthesised by mitochondria in eukaryotic cells and enzymatic machinery in cytosol of prokaryotes . ATP molecules are the energy provider for most of the reactions in the cell . Enzymatic reactions like glycolysis which generate ATP itself require ATP molecules for some of its reaction . Transport of molecules and ions requires ATP driven transporters . Movement of kinesin along cytoskeletal elements like actin fibres require ATP molecules and same is required for contraction of muscle cell. Synthesis of food in plant cell also demands energy molecules .ATP molecules are thus required to maintain homeostasis in cell without which cell will not be able to maintain its integrity and both internal or external negative factor will cause its destruction . A cell has to be in steady state otherwise it will come at equilibrium with its surrounding (death). Every cell has a constant internal environment which is to be maintained by regulating entry and exit of different molecules . ATP also help in such regulation.