ATPase

(noun)

a class of enzymes that catalyze the decomposition of ATP into ADP and a free phosphate ion, releasing energy that is often harnessed to drive other chemical reactions

Related Terms

Examples of ATPase in the following topics:

  • Electrochemical Gradient

    • Some examples of pumps for active transport are Na+-K+ ATPase, which carries sodium and potassium ions, and H+-K+ ATPase, which carries hydrogen and potassium ions.
    • Two other carrier protein pumps are Ca2+ ATPase and H+ ATPase, which carry only calcium and only hydrogen ions, respectively.

  • Primary Active Transport

    • One of the most important pumps in animals cells is the sodium-potassium pump (Na+-K+ ATPase), which maintains the electrochemical gradient (and the correct concentrations of Na+ and K+) in living cells.
    • The Na+-K+ ATPase exists in two forms, depending on its orientation to the interior or exterior of the cell and its affinity for either sodium or potassium ions.

  • ATP and Muscle Contraction

    • The ATP is hydrolyzed into ADP and inorganic phosphate (Pi) by the enzyme ATPase.