What is the difference between ATP and NADHFADH2 Describe th

What is the difference between ATP and NADH/FADH2? Describe the way each of these molecules is able to store energy, and indicate what that stored energy is used for. Why is ATP a more universally useful form of energy for powering chemical reactions in the cell than NADH or FADH2?

Solution

NADH/FADH2 are reducing factors produced during cellular metabolism; they are used to produce ATP which is a currency of energy. NADH produces 3 ATP and FADH2 produces 2 ATP ;as they have high energy electrons that are given up to the electron transport chain complexes; hence they act as molecules having high reducing potential i.e. energy in the form of electrons, while the molecule of ATP has three high energy phosphate groups. ATP a more universally useful form of energy for powering chemical reactions in the cell than NADH or FADH2 as it has unstable, high-energy bonds that are hydrolyzed releasing large amounts of energy.