Biochemistry option Flashcards
What is metabolism
the sum of all the reactions in an organism
What are metabolic pathways
The control of reactions in sequences and cycles. The product of each step is the reactant for the next.
What are metabolites
Compounds taking part in metabolism
What is Anabolism: Pathways of synthesis
The part of metabolism concerned with building up bigger complex molecules that are higher in energy from small molecules called precursors. (Requires energy) (Hydration reaction)
Examples Anabolism
-Proteins from amino acids
-Nucleic acids from nucleotides
-Carbs from photosynthesis
What is Catabolism: Pathways of Breakdown
The metabolic reaction is concerned with the breakdown of larger molecules into smaller molecules (releases energy[ATP]) (hydrolysis)
What is Energy Coupling in Metabolism
The energy from the catabolic reaction is used to drive anabolic reactions
What are Futile cycles
Stable complex structures would not exist in cells but be broken down as they form if Anabolic and catabolic reactions did not have different pathways for breakdown and biosynthesis and did not use different enzymes.
What are Trace elements
27 out of 100 elements found on Earth are essential components of living things. The majority are in very small amounts.
96% of all the elements found in cells are?
Hydrogen, Oxygen, Carbon, Nitrogen
What Biomolecules
The molecules present in living things. Represents an immense diversity of structures.
What are Macromolecules
Building blocks linked together by covalent bonds,
-Proteins
-Nucleic acids
-Polysaccharides
Condensation Reaction
Form covalent bonds between two molecules releases water
In order to form a polymer what does the monomers have to have
two functional groups (two linkages, left and right)
What is condensation reactions catalyzed by?
Polymerase
Hydrolysis reaction
Uses water to break molecules, occurs during chemical digestion, and is catalyzed by enzymes
Examples of how biological molecules’ activity depends on structure and shapes?
-Structural molecules such as Collegen and cellulose are tough and insoluble.
-Catalytic enzymes depend entirely on the ability to form temporary binding to substrates.
-Chemical messengers such as the hormone insulin must interact specifically with receptor molecules.
What is photosynthesis (ecology)
Ability to capture solar energy and use it to synthesize energy rich biomolecules
What is Cholorophyll?
A primary photosynthetic pigment that makes photosynthesis possible
What is respiration?
The release of energy from energy rich molecules like glucose inside cells
Outline Respiration
1-Glycolosis: Does not use oxygen (anaerobic conditions), only small energy is released from glucose. Enough energy to keep some cells like muscle alive temporarily but enough to keep some bacterial cells alive permanently.
2- In the presence of oxygen (aerobic conditions) the oxidation of glucose is complete and much more energy is released. Which is why most cells need continuous oxygen. The end products are CO2 and water
Aerobic respiration involves a series of coupled redox reaction, where reactants known as cytochromes are successively reduced and re oxide. Oxygen acts as a terminal electron acceptor when reduced to water.
What kind of reaction is photosynthesis?
Anabolic, energy storing [carbon sink]
What kind of reaction is Respiration?
Catabolic, energy yielding [Carbon sources]
Why does fats yield more energy than Carbohydrates?
Lipids are more reduced then Carbohydrates, thus they can undergo more oxidation and release more energy per unit as a respiratory substrate.
What are fat stores in animals called and function?
Adipose tissue or blubber, reservoirs of energy
Why are Carbohydrates more effective energy storage than lipids?
The insolubility of lipids more reactions are needed for breakdown, therefore the energy is released more slowly.
Examples of health issues caused by Excess Lipid
-Atherosclerosis (fat in blood vessels, high blood pressure)
-Obesity (excessive build up of adipose tissue)
Health Issues caused by lipids in respect to Cholesterol, LDL & HDL
-Cholesterol is usually the culprit in circulatory diseases.
-Since Cholesterol are insoluble in blood it is transported in lipoproteins (LDL {bad cholesterol} & HDL{good Cholesterol})
-High levels of LDL are associated with increased buildup of cholesterol in the arteries
-High levels of HDL carry cholesterol away from the arteries
What are main sources of LDL
Saturated fats and trans fats
What lower LDL cholesterol?
Unsaturated fats
Uses of Steroids
-Contraceptive pill
-Uses of Testosterone to treat testes and breast cancers
-Used medically to help gain weight after debilitating diseases
Abuse of Steroids
When Ahmed uses it as a performance enhancing drugs to gain muscle
What is in a Trigliceride?
Glycerol and 3 fatty acids
Draw a glycerol and a fatty acid molecule
0_0
In what reaction does a glycerol and Fatty acid connect and what linkage?
Esterification reaction (condensation reaction) , ester linkage
Why are the 3 fatty acids not identical in a triglyciride
1-Length of hydrocarbon chain
2-The number and position of carbon to carbon double bond
Fatty acid with no double bond
saturated
Fatty acid with a single double bond
mono-unsaturated
Fatty acid with several double bonds
poly-unsaturated
What factors affect the melting point of lipids?
1-Length of hydrocarbon chain
2-Degree of Saturation
Why do Saturated Fatty acids have a high boiling point?
-The carbon single bonds creates a tetrahedral bond angle (109.5)
-As a result the molecules are packed closer together
-Leads to great London Dispersion forces between them
Solid at room temp known as fats, i.e butter, lard etc.
Why do unsaturated fatty acids have a low boiling point?
-The double bonds creates kink in the chain (120 degrees)
-The molecule is more spread-out
-Weaker intermolecular forces
Liquid at room temp know as oils, i.e corn oil, cod liver oil
Outline how to determine the unsaturation of fat using Iodine number
-Unsaturated fatty acids can go through addition reactions
-one mole of I2 will react with one mole of carbon carbon double bond
-the iodine number is the amount of iodine that reacts with 100 grams of fat
-The excess iodine can be determined by tritration
What is hydrolytic Rancidity
Breakdown of fats by hydrolysis reaction from water present in foods.
What is the site of reactivity in a hydrolytic rancidity?
Ester linkages in triglycerides
Conditions for Hydrolytic Rancidity
-Presence of Heat
-Enzyme Lipase
-bacteria
What is Oxidative Rancidity?
When unsaturated fats react with oxygen from the air (auto oxidation)
What is the site of reactivity in a oxidative Rancidity?
Carbon to carbon double bonds in the unsaturated triglycerides
Conditions for Oxidative Rancidity
-Light
-Enzyme
-metal ions
Product of Hydrolytic Rancidity?
Butanoic and octanoic acids
Products of Oxidative Rancidity?
aldehydes and ketones
Structure of Phospholipid
Phospholipids are derived from fatty acids and glycerol
-Only 2 fatty acids condensed into a glycerol molecule
-The third OH group is bonded to a phosphate
Conditions for hydrolysis of Fats and Phospholipids
-Acidic or alkaline conditions with water
-lipases
Outline the structure of Steroids
-Four fused rings known as a steroidal backbone
Function of Lipids
-Forms the phospholipid bilayer
-Energy storage
-Thermal insulation (seals)
-Electrical insulation (myelin sheaths)
-Transport of lipid soluble vitamins (A,D,E,K)
-Hormones (testosterone, estrogen)
Example of Alpha helix structures
- In Keratin
Example of Beta pleated sheets structures
Spider silk
General Formula of Carbohydrates
Cx(H2O)y
