What is the meaning of phosphoryl transfer potential and what does it mean to have a high or low phosphoryl transfer potential?

Phosphoryl-transfer potential is the ability of an organic molecule to transfer its terminal phosphoryl group to water which is an acceptor molecule. It is the “standard free energy of hydrolysis”.

Explanation:

This potential plays a key role during cellular energy transformation by energy coupling during ATP hydrolysis.  

A compound with a high phosphoryl-transfer potential has the increased ability to couple the carbon oxidation with ATP synthesis and can accelerate cellular energy transformation.  

A compound with a high phosphoryl-transfer potential can readily donate its terminal phosphate group; whereas, a compound with a low has a lesser ability to donate its phosphate group.

ATP molecules have a high phosphoryl transfer potential due to its structure, resonance stabilization, high entropy, electrostatic repulsion and stabilization by hydration. Compounds like creatine phosphate, phosphoenolpyruvate also have high phosphoryl-transfer potential.

1. efficient use of space

2. elimination of groundwater contamination

3. energy generation

4. lower carbon footprint

geologic time scale (for gradpoint) =)