2017 Flashcards
What is catabolism?
Breaking down large molecules into smaller, simpler ones.
They release energy and are spontaneous
What is anabolism?
Synthesising large, complex molecules from small, simpler ones.
They require energy input
What is Gibbs free energy?
Change in enthalpy (heat) - temperature x change in entropy (structure)
This equation must have a negative answer for a reaction to occur
Why is equilibrium considered to be a dynamic state?
Both the forward and reverse reactions are constantly taking place, but the rates are equal, so no net change occurs in the concentration of the products or the reactants
What does the size of an equilibrium constant indicate about a system at equilibrium?
The size of the equilibrium constant indicates whether reactants or products are favoured.
(0.15-0.50 = intermediate)
Higher = product favoured
Lower = reactant favoured
What is a coupled reaction?
A reaction that releases energy, fuelling other processes.
What is an exergonic reaction?
A favourable reaction accompanied by release of energy
What is an endergonic reaction
An unfavourable reaction requiring absorption of energy
What is ATP?
Adenosine Triphosphate
What is ADP phosphorylation?
A non-spontaneous reaction as it requires an input of energy to proceed, which is sourced from acetyl CoA (combustion of food molecules).
ADP + Pi = ATP
What is liberated when a bond is formed?
Energy, the same amount is needed to break the bond
What is a covalent bond?
Strong, a negative electron is attracted to the positive nucleus on both atoms
What is a non-covalent bond?
4 types:
- ionic: attraction between a negative and positive ion, therefore one atom is an electron donor (throne gaining is a negative ion)
- hydrogen bond: hydrogen is bound to a highly electronegative atom (N,O,F)
- Van der Waals: weak, neutral molecules attracted to one another
- hydrophobic: non polar molecule aggregated in water
What does the pKa value represent?
The pH at which 50% dissociates (releasing H+)
What is a buffer?
Resists changes in pH if a solution
What is the role of protein
Transfer of genetic material, catalyse biochemical reactions, physical support and structure and transporting small molecules across membranes
What is a protein
3 base sequence of codons on the DNA
What does transcription do?
Edits to make mature mRNA
What does translation do?
Makes the matured mRNA into a protein
Is an enzyme a protein?
Yes
What do enzymes do?
Speed up the rate of reaction by reducing the activation energy without being consumed or used
What are the two models of enzymatic action?
Lock and key: shape of the enzyme active site is complementary to the substrate
Induced fit: enzyme folds itself around their substrate making a tight fit
What happens in a reaction with enzymes when the temperature is increased?
The rate of reaction increases and the enzymes denature
What is an inhibitor
A substrate that lowers or stops the rate of reaction
What are the 2 types of inhibitors?
Competitive: bind to active site therefore preventing the substrate from binding
Non-competitive: binds to the enzyme but not the active site and the binding can still happen but is less effective
What are co-factors?
‘Helper’ molecule for enzymes to facilitate reactions
When happens when you are in a starved state?
The peripheral tissues are hungry. Glucose and TAG is released by the liver and distributed to tissues around the body.
What happens during starvation when the muscles are wasting?
The wasting muscles release protein in the form of alanine and lactate by the combustion of glycogen and protein into the circulation. Liver then takes these as releases then a glucose by glucogenesis
What happens when the body is well fed?
Positive energy balance and the peripheral tissues are satisfied. Therefore the liver starts storing glucose in the form of glycogen and fat.
What is the purpose of metabolism?
To oxidise food to provide ATP.
What are the 3 generic steps for metabolism?
- Digestion and absorption: large molecules broken down into smaller ones
- Glycolysis and beta oxidation: numerous small molecules are degraded to simple units that play central metabolic roles
- TCA cycle and oxidative phosphorylation: final common pathway in mitochondria - ATP is made
What does brown fat do?
Oxidises food to generate heat
How is protein digested?
The stomach of pH 2 partially digests it (with pepsin) and then mostly digested and absorbed in the small cells.
Parietal cells in the stomach produce HCl = low pH