EXAMPLES of GOOD and POOR REPONSES to

SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS.

Q.): Describe the structure of ATP. What happens in ATP hydrolysis and why is this important to the human body?

Poor answer: ATP is an energy molecule. In ATP hydrolysis, ATP releases energy. The body needs energy for its cells.

This answer is poor because it avoids directly answering the question and is very vague. It gives basic “pat answers” without explaining any of the “hows” or the “whys” in its response. It says nothing about the structure of ATP and nothing about the process of ATP hydrolysis. In short, it doesn’t really explain anything.

Better answer: ATP is a specialized nucleotide consisting of 3 parts: (1) adenine base, (2) ribose sugar, and (3) three phosphate groups bonded together. All these parts are covalently bonded to each other. In ATP hydrolysis, water reacts with an ATP molecule to break the covalent bond between the second and third phosphate groups. This requires an input of energy. As a result, the following products are formed: an ADP molecule, one free phosphate group, and free energy. This free energy is released after new bonds form in the products. This free energy can then be used by any cell as the extra energy needed to perform work such as in muscle cell contraction or active transport across a cell membrane.

This answer is much more specific and explains things much more completely and clearly. It answers the “hows” and the “whys” much better. After reading this response, the reader is much better informed.