Basic Biology Flashcards
Enzymology, Cell Organelles, Membrane Structures and Components, Biomolecules, Nutrients and Vitamins, Meiosis, Cell Proliferation and Mitosis, Cell Specification.
What is metabolism and what is the purpose of it?
Chemical reactions that occur in a living organism. The purpose is to produce energy, biosynthesis and excretion.
Define anabolism.
Synthesis of larger molecules from smaller ones (requires energy).
Define catabolism.
Synthesis of smaller molecules from larger ones (releases energy).
What are the 5 types of electron carriers?
Flavoproteins (NADH/NAD+) Cytochromes (haeme in haemoglobin) Copper atoms in mitochondrial membrane Uniquinane/Co-enzyme Q Iron-sulfur proteins (Fe3+/Fe2+)
Purpose of ATP.
Used as an energy intermediate. Produces 7.3kJ of free energy when hydrolysed.
Purpose of Enzymes.
Biological catalysts.
6 Types of Enzymes.
Transferase Ligase Oxidoreductase Isomerase Hydrolase Lysases
Characteristics of Enzymes.
- Globular Proteins
- Control metabolic reactions rate
- Lower activation energy
- Not consumed (re-usable)
- Substrate specific
- Shape of active site determines substrate
Define substrate.
The reactant.
Define active site
Region where substrate binds + undergoes chemical reactions.
Define co-factor.
Inorganic ions (Ca2+) which may be charged during the reaction.
Define co-enzyme.
Organic non-protein molecule (NAD+) that are a subset of co-factors.
Define prosthetic group.
A co-factor permanently attached to an enzyme.
Define apoenzyme.
Enzyme with a co-factor removed (inactive catalytically).
Define haloenzyme.
Enzyme with co-factor attached.
Describe the Lock-and-Key model.
- Active site is rigid shape
- Substrate needs to be matching shape
- No change in the active site shape
Describe the Induced fit model.
- Active site is flexible
- Shape of enzyme, active site + substrate adjust (improves catalytically)
- Greater range of substrate specificity
How does temperature effect enzyme activity.
Increases until reach optimum temperature where the enzyme begins to denature causing a decrease in activity.
How does pH effect enzyme activity.
Enzymes need to be around optimum pH decreases otherwise -> Specific to each enzyme.
How does substrate concentration impact enzyme activity.
Maximum activity occurs when all enzymes are saturated so it will reach maximum reaction velocity.
How do competitive inhibitors effect enzyme activity.
They are a similar shape to substrate so they bind to the active site meaning substrate can no longer bind.
How do non-competitive inhibitors effect enzyme activity.
Different shape to substrate but bind to enzyme in a allosteric place which alters shape of the active site meaning substrate no longer complimentary.
Describe allosteric modulators.
Can be inhibitors or activators but are different shaped to the substrate and are involved in feedback inhibition (switches process off when not needed).
Importance of enzymes.
Can be:
- Diagnostic markers of diseases
- Biochemical estimations + detections