Biochemistry Flashcards
What is oxidation?
Loss of electrons
What is reduction?
Gain of electrons
What is the most oxidisable state of carbon?
Alkane Alcohol Aldehyde Carboxylic acid Carbon Dioxide
What are some functions of biomolecules?
Information storage Structural Energy generation Energy currency/storage Recognition/communication/specificity
What are the four major classes of biomolecules?
Peptides and proteins
Lipids
Nucleic acids
Carbohydrates
What is the first law of thermodynamics?
Energy is neither created nor destroyed
What is the second law on thermodynamics?
When energy is converted from one form to another, some of that energy becomes unavailable to do work
What changes are involved in reactions?
Enthalpy
Entropy
What is enthalpy?
Heat content
What is entropy?
Randomness, disorder
What is the equation for free energy change?
(energy of the products) – (energy of the reactants)
What is an exergonic reaction?
total free energy of the product(s) is less than the total free energy of the reactant(s)
Delta G is NEGATIVE
What is an endergonic reaction?
otal free energy of the product(s) is more than the total free energy of the reactant(s)
Delta G is POSITIVE
What is delta G?
Change in free energy under standard conditions
What reactions can occur spontaneously?
Exergonic reactions
Describe the stability of ATP?
negative charges close together in ATP put a strain (electrostatic repulsion) on the molecule that makes it less stable than ADP
Do cells store ATP?
No not really, constantly regenerated
Define metabolism?
all the reactions taking place in the body, divided into catabolism and anabolism
Describe glycolysis?
Initial breakdown of glucose for the generation of ATP
Early steps use two ATP molecules
Later steps generate four ATP molecules
Net gain of two ATP molecules per glucose molecule
Describe gluconeogenesis?
Making new glucose from non-carbohydrate precursors, e.g. pyruvate
What are control points in metabolic pathways?
Reactions with large delta G values
How is flux through control points controlled?
Altering the activity of the enzyme
What is significant about the structure of water?
Water is polar;
- electrons are shared unequally
- depends on electronegativity of atoms
Water molecule is bent
- forms a dipole
- tetrahedral shape
Which substances dissolve in water?
Ionic and polar substances
What is a hydrogen bond?
Covalent bond between hydrogen and a more electronegative atom
Are hydrogen bonds stronger than covalent bonds?
Individually they are weaker, can be strong collectively
What is the hydrophobic effect?
Oil and water don’t mix
Define amphipathic?
Hydrophilic and hydrophobic
Describe the structure of amphipathic molecules?
Polar (hydrophilic) head
Non-polar (hydrophobic) tail
What do amphipathic molecules form in water?
Micelles