1. Maintaining A Balence Flashcards
Describe the role of enzymes in metabolism
Enzymes are necessary for all metabolic reactions. They increase the speed of a reaction by lowering the ‘activation energy’, thus requiring less energy for the reaction to occur.
Identify why enzymes have specifity on substrates
The shape of the active site is specific to a certain substrate, referred to as ‘molecular recognition’.
Describe how enzymes are formed.
Enzymes are a type of protein. They are formed by a long polypeptide chain (anime acids in a specific sequence, bound by peptide bonds) which forms a 3D object
Describe the two different types of metabolic reactions involving enzymes
- Catabolic pathway: breaking down of complex molecule into simpler molecules
- Anabolic pathway: building up of simple molecules into complex molecules
Identify and describe the two different models which show specificity on substances
Lock and key model: the active site is exactly the same shape as the substrate
Induced fit model: active site is slightly different shape to substrate, so changes its shape
Define: co-factors
Small, inorganic molecules that help enzymes to act (not necessary)
Define: co-enzymes
organic molecules that usually bind to the active site (necessary)
Describe what amylase 1 catalyses and where in the body
Amylase 1 catalyses the conversion of starch to maltose in the mouth (pH 7)
Describe what protease catalyses and where in the body
Protease catalyses the conversion of proteins into peptides in the stomach (pH 1-2)
Describe what lipase catalyses and where in the body
Lipases catalyses the conversion of lipids into fatty acids and glycerol in the pancreas and small intestine
Describe what amylase 2 catalyses and where in the body
Amylase 2 catalyses the conversion of starch into disaccharides and trisaccharides in the pancreas
What affects the acidity of a substance?
The presence of hydrogen ions
Why can organisms only tolerate a narrow range of hydrogen ions concentrations?
pH denatures outside of optimal level
Explain why cells contribute most of their energy to maintaining _____?
Cells contribute most of their energy to maintain constant internal conditions.
This is because metabolic reactions can only occur waiting a narrow range of conditions. Outside of these conditions, the optimal efficiency of enzymes is decreased, either due to the slowing down or denaturing of enzymes.
Define: homeostasis
The maintenance of a relatively stable internal environment
Describe homeostasis and outline how it works
Homeostasis is a dynamic state as it attempts to maintain a stable internal environment despite a constantly changing external environment. It achieves this by activating internal control mechanisms to responded to internal changes as a result of external influences.
Identify the two major stages of homeostasis
- Detaching changes from the stable state
2. Counteracting changes from the stable state
Identify the three functional components of a homeostatic control mechanism
- A receptor: detects changes
- A control centre: process information received (ie. hypothalamic in brain)
- An effector: has an effect on stimulus
Outline the 7 steps involved in a homeostatic response
- Stimulus in environment
- Receptors detect stimuli
- Sensory nerves conduct impulses to Connecter nerves
- Connector nerves transmit impulses the brain
- Hypothalamus coordinates a response
- Motor neurones transmit impulse to effector cells
- Effectors counteract stimulus
Outline the role of the nervous system in detecting and responding to environmental changes (homeostasis)
The role of the nervous system is to carry impulses throughout the body. Different cells in homeostasis transmit information throughout the body, which is facilitated by the nervous system.
Explain why life can only exist in a narrow range of conditions.
Life can only exist in a narrow range as enzymes (metabolic catalysts) are temperature sensitive. They thus denature when outside the optimal temperature range.
When temperatures are too low, the phospholipid layer can free and when temperatures are too high, the DNA double helix splits.
Describe how aquatic and terrestrial ectotherms respond to temperature change to assist in temperature regulation.
Ectotherms warm their body by absorbing heat.
Aquatic: no need as environment has little temperature variation.
Terrestrial: Netted Dragon lies in sun to absorb heat, lies flat to increase SA exposed to sun. Alpine Grasshopper colour changes from blue to black.
Describe how aquatic and terrestrial endotherms respond to temperature change to assist in temperature regulation.
Endotherms derive body heat from metabolism, thus requiring large amounts of energy.
Aquatic: Australian Fur Seal uses ‘counter-current heat exchange’ as heat is transferred from the arteries to the veins to maintain heat in the extremities.
Terrestrial: Red Kangaroo decreases physical activity (lowering metabolic rate), seeks shelter, has pale fur and thick to create insulation.
Identify some responses of plants to temperature change
Temperature controls germination, growing season, flowering and seed dispersal.
Plants will close stomates above 30 degrees Celsius (when closed, heat-shock portends are used as a protective coating for enzymes)
Native plants will respond by flowering or germinating after fire.
In cold temps, plants will becomes dormant.
Plant seeds germinate over a wide renege of temps, but are specific to each variety (enzyme specificity).
Describe the effect of substrate concentration on enzyme activity
The more concentrated the substrate, the faster the enzyme works, to a certain point. This is because there is a shorter distance for enzymes to move between substrates. However, it does not make a difference when the solution reaches saturation point as all the active sites are occupied so no further reactions can take place.
Describe the effect of pH on enzyme activity
pH is the measure of hydrogen ions. Living organisms can only tolerate a specific range of pH as outside the optimal range, the enzymes begin to denature by changing the shape of the active site.
Describe the effect of temperature on enzyme activity
to an extent, a reaction does increase with temperature as there is more kinetic energy for substrate molecules to collide with enzymes at an increased rate. However, bond a certain point, the rate decreases rapidly as the active site of the enzyme is altered.
Describe the role of the lymphatic drainage system
Maintains osmotic and fluid balance. Returns fluid from body’s tissue back to the blood to drain interstitial fluid.
Identify the functions of the circulatory system (The Vampire Diaries is Best!)
Transport
Vasodilation/Vasoconstriction
Defence
Blood Clotting
Describe the composition of blood
55% Plasma (91% Water, 7% Protein, 2% Other solutes)
45: Formed Elements (99% Erythrocytes, 1% Leukocytes, 1% Platelets)
Identify the form, mode of transport and direction that carbon dioxide is carried
Form: Carbaminohaemoglobin, hydrogen carbonate ions, or as carbon dioxide
Mode: RBCs and plasma
From somatic cells to lungs
Identify the form, mode of transport and direction that oxygen is carried
Form: oxyhemoglobin
Mode: RBCs (haemoglobin)
From lungs to somatic cells
Identify the form, mode of transport and direction that water is carried
Form: water molecules
Mode: plasma
From digestive system and somatic cells to somatic cells
Identify the form, mode of transport and direction that salts is carried
Form: ion
Mode: plasma
From digestive system and somatic cells to somatic cells
Identify the form, mode of transport and direction that lipids is carried
Form: chylomicrons (triglycerides coated in protein)
Mode: lymph and plasma
From digestive system and somatic cells to somatic cells
Identify the form, mode of transport and direction that nitrogenous wastes is carried
Form: urea
Mode: plasma
From liver and somatic cells to kidneys
Identify the form, mode of transport and direction that products of digestion is carried
Form: seperate molecules
Mode: plasma
From digestive system and liver to somatic cells
Explain the adaptive advantage of haemoglobin
The adaptive advantage of haemoglobin gives mammals the ability to transport large quantities of oxygen to tissues. Haemoglobin molecules have four active sties, where oxygen binds to an iron ion, increasing the oxygen-carrying capacity of RBCs by 100x
Using chemical reactions, explain how oxygen is carried around the body as oxyhaemoglobin
In lungs, oxygen diffuses out of the alveoli and into the bloodstream where it binds to haemoglobin:
Hb + 4 Oxygen -> Hb(oxygen)4
Using chemical reactions, explain how oxygen is released in the body
Oxygenated blood is transported to somatic cells where it is released:
Hb(oxygen)4 –> Hb + 4 Oxygen
Identify and describe the three types tissue that make blood vessels
- Connective tissue: outmost layer with thick muscles to allow the vessel to retract and stretch
- Middle tissue: smooth muscle and elastic fibres
- Endothelium: innermost layer of flattened cells to provide a smooth layer with resistance to blood flow
Describe the artery in regards to structure and function
Structure: thick connective tissue and middle layer of muscle to pump blood under high pressure and control blood flow and an endothelium
Function: distributing oxygenated blood from the heart to somatic cells
Describe the capillary in regards to structure and function
Structure: only a thin, porous endothelium to enable exchange of materials. RBCs move in single-file.
Function: exchange vessels
Describe the vein in regards to structure and function
Structure: thinner walls than arteries and relies on skeletal muscles to move blood through. Flaps of tissue as valves to ensure that blood moves in one direction
Function: collecting vessels to return blood back to the heart.
Describe the changes in the chemical composition of blood as it interacts with four different organs
Lungs: blood enters low in carbon dioxide and high in oxygen, due to gaseous exchange leaves high in oxygen and low in carbon dioxide
Wall of small intestine: blood enters low in nutrients and absorbs nutrients for digested food in the villi
Liver: blood enters high in toxins in the hepatic portal vein, leave low in toxins
Kidneys: blood enters high in urea, salts and water, composition of blood leaving is dependant on the needs of the body
Describe the need for oxygen in living cells
Oxygen is required to undergo cellular respiration, which converts chemical energy (glucose) to usable energy (ATP -> ADP).