Biochemistry (optional unit B) Flashcards
What is metabolism
Chemical reactions that occur in living organisms
What are chemical reactions controlled by + where do they occur
Controlled by specific catalyst called enzyme + occurs in a controlled aqueous environment
What is catabolism
Breaking up of large molecules to form smaller molecules (energy is released)
Anabolism
Building up of small molecules to form larger molecules (energy is required)
How are catabolic and anabolic reactions connected
Energy released in catabolic reactions are used in anabolic reactions
Give an example of catabolism
The breakdown of glucose in respiration producing carbon dioxide and water + oxidation of fatty acids
what are reactants in anabolism known as
precursors
Example of anabolism
The synthesis of protein from amino acids, nucleic acids from nucleotides, photosynthesis which produces carbohydrates
What is photosynthesis
Plants undergo anabolism to build energy rich molecules such as carbohydrates (6CO2 + 6H2O –> (in the presence of sunlight) –> C6H12O6 + 6O2)
- this occurs in green plants in the presence of light absorbing pigments called chlorophyll
Is photosynthesis endo or exo?
endothermic - because its absorbing light energy
What is heat
a measure of the total energy in a given amount of a substance - therefore it depends on the amount of substance
what is temperature
the measure of the hotness of a substance - represents the average kinetic energy of the substance but is independent of the amount of the substance present
what is cellular respiration
energy rich molecules are broken down (catabolism) to produce carbon dioxide and water which the plant uses - releases energy in the process and is thus exothermic
What is a condensation reaction
Reaction where two smaller molecules come together to form one larger molecules, with the loss of a small molecule (usually water) and forming a covalent bond
- reactive functional groups on two molecules react together (such as OH and H)
What are biopolymers
A long chain molecule formed through condensation reactions, each molecule/monomer must have two reactive functional groups to form the chain
What is a hydrolysis reaction
reaction in which a larger molecule reacts with water, which breaks the covalent bond between the large molecule and forms two smaller molecules (the opposite of a condensation reaction)
Other than water what will hydrolysis occur in the presence of?
acids or an alkali (bases that dissolve in water e.g. NaOH)
Give an example of a structural protein and what it creates
Keratin - fingers and nails
What do proteins make up?
Enzymes and hemoglobins (molecules that carries oxygen in the blood)
Describe the structure of a 2-amino acid
H2N-CHR-COOH
R group is different for every amino acid
contains amine group and carboxyl group
what reaction bonds amino acids?
condensation reactions
what is a bond between two amino acids called?
peptide bond/amide link
Protein synonym
polypeptide
What is the ratio of peptide bonds to water?
1:1
What are zwitterions (zwitter ions)
Electrically neutral ions with both a positive and negative charge - these are formed by amino acids
- Hydrogen ion from carboxylic acid group bonds to nitrogen atom on amino group (in one amino acid) - creates negative charge on oxygen left from OH and a positive N which is now NH3
Amphiprotic
Can both accept protons and donate protons (both bronsted lowry acid and base)
Why are amino acids amphiprotic
As they form zwitterions, they can donate protons from the NH3 group and accept protons from the O group
What is the difference between amphiprotic and amphoteric
Amphiprotic means can accept and donate protons - amphiprotic is amphoteric however amphoteric is not always amphiprotic, amphoteric just means it acts like an acid or base (there are multiple versions)
What ion is formed at low pH
At low pH there is a high concentration of H+ ions, thus the amino acid gains an H+ and forms a cation
What ion is formed at high pH
At high pH there is a lower concentration of H+ ions and so the amino acid loses a proton to form an anion (is anion because theres the negative charge on oxygen still left there)
What does the charge of an amino acid depend on?
the pH - high pH anion - low pH cation
What is the isoelectric point
a point at which an amino acid is electrically neutral (has both positive and negative charges - is a zwitterion) (e.g. pH of the isoelectric point…)
What is the primary structure of a protein?
The sequence of amino acids in the polypeptide chain which make up the protein (a straight sequence)
What is the secondary structure of protein?
The folding of the polypeptide chain which resulted from the hydrogen bonds between the nitrogen and oxygen of the amino acids, creates two kinds: alpha helix or beta pleated sheet