What is the source of chemical energy used to power a muscle cell in your arm?
1 Answer
ATP is the universal energy currency of all living cells. When muscles of our arm undergo contraction, ATP is supplied quickly by a chemical named CREATINE PHOSPHATE.
Explanation:
ATP is produced in our body by catabolic breakdown of glucose or fatty acids. Glycolysis and beta-oxidation are the processes respectively which break down glucose and fatty acid into Acetyl coenzyme A. Latter enters KREBS cycle/Citric acid cycle: here oxygen is used up, water and carbondioxide are produced along with energy currency ATP.
As our body gets regular supply of oxygen and food, ATP can be generated whenever needed. Cells do not store ATPs. Thus for quick supply of ATP in working muscles, another chemical is present: Ceatine Phosphate. This chemical instantly changes ADP into ATP: the process is anaerobic.
Creatine is produced in liver, transported to muscles and brain, where phosphocreatine could be generated.
