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]
