AQA · A-Level · Physical Education
Course version: 7582 · Version from Sept 2016
Energy systems: ATP-PC system.
The ATP-PC system resynthesises ATP using phosphocreatine (PC) stored in muscle.
Checked against the AQA 7582 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 10 of 26
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
The ATP-PC system resynthesises ATP using phosphocreatine (PC) stored in muscle. When ATP splits to ADP and inorganic phosphate, the energy released drives contraction, but ATP stores are tiny. Creatine kinase breaks down PC into creatine and phosphate, and the energy released rebuilds ADP back to ATP. This is the fastest way to make ATP, needs no oxygen and produces no lactate, but PC stores last only a few seconds of maximal effort, such as a 100 m sprint start, a smash in badminton or a heavy lift. Recovery in the minutes afterwards rebuilds PC using oxygen, which is why repeated maximal efforts fade.
What earns the marks
- The ATP-PC system resynthesises ATP using phosphocreatine stored in muscle.
- ATP splits to ADP and inorganic phosphate, releasing energy for muscle contraction.
- Creatine kinase breaks down phosphocreatine into creatine and phosphate, and the energy released rebuilds ADP to ATP.
- Phosphocreatine stores are limited, so the system supports only a few seconds of maximal work.
- Recovery rebuilds phosphocreatine using oxygen, so repeated maximal efforts decline until stores are restored.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Saying the ATP-PC system uses glucose.
Put it right: It uses phosphocreatine, not glucose.
Believing it can fuel a whole match.
Put it right: Phosphocreatine stores last only a few seconds of maximal effort.
Thinking lactate is produced by this system.
Put it right: The ATP-PC system produces no lactate; lactate comes from the lactic acid system.
Ignoring recovery: correction — phosphocreatine is rebuilt using oxygen after exercise, which is why repeated sprints slow down.
Exam tips
- Link the ATP-PC system to very short, very intense actions such as a sprint start or a jump.
- Use the correct enzyme name, creatine kinase, and the correct breakdown products, creatine and phosphate.
- If a question asks why performance drops in repeated sprints, explain that phosphocreatine stores are depleted and need oxygen to recover.
Try the lesson
The start of the Energy systems: ATP-PC system. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Which high-energy compound is broken down to resynthesise ATP during the ATP-PC system?
Listen
The ATP-PC system resynthesises ATP using phosphocreatine (PC) stored in muscle. When ATP splits to ADP and inorganic phosphate, the energy released drives contraction, but ATP stores are tiny. Creatine kinase breaks down PC into creatine and phosphate, and the energy released rebuilds ADP back to ATP. This is the fastest way to make ATP, needs no oxygen and produces no lactate, but PC stores last only a few seconds of maximal effort, such as a 100 m sprint start, a smash in badminton or a heavy lift. Recovery in the minutes afterwards rebuilds PC using oxygen, which is why repeated maximal efforts fade. A strong answer earns marks for these points. The ATP-PC system resynthesises ATP using phosphocreatine stored in muscle. ATP splits to ADP and inorganic phosphate, releasing energy for muscle contraction. Creatine kinase breaks down phosphocreatine into creatine and phosphate, and the energy released rebuilds ADP to ATP. Phosphocreatine stores are limited, so the system supports only a few seconds of maximal work. A common slip: Saying the ATP-PC system uses glucose. Instead, it uses phosphocreatine, not glucose. Exam tip: Link the ATP-PC system to very short, very intense actions such as a sprint start or a jump.
See it
Put it in order
Put these steps in the order they happen.
- 1. Creatine kinase breaks down phosphocreatine into creatine and phosphate
- 2. Energy released drives muscle contraction
- 3. Energy released rebuilds ADP to ATP
- 4. Phosphocreatine stores are limited
- 5. Supports only a few seconds of maximal work
- 6. ATP splits to ADP and inorganic phosphate
- 7. Repeated maximal efforts decline
- 8. Recovery rebuilds phosphocreatine using oxygen
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Phosphocreatine as fuel
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Fast ATP resynthesis
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
No lactate production
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Limited store and oxygen-dependent recovery
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
See every definition
- Phosphocreatine as fuel
- The ATP-PC system resynthesises ATP using phosphocreatine stored in muscle, not glucose.
- Fast ATP resynthesis
- Creatine kinase breaks down phosphocreatine into creatine and phosphate, and the energy released rebuilds ADP back to ATP, making this the fastest way to make ATP.
- No lactate production
- The system needs no oxygen and produces no lactate.
- Limited store and oxygen-dependent recovery
- Phosphocreatine stores last only a few seconds of maximal effort, and recovery in the minutes afterwards rebuilds phosphocreatine using oxygen.
Label the diagram
Some boxes have lost their names. Pick the right name for each number.
1Box 1
2Box 2
3Box 3
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