Biochemistry-Overview (week 1) Anabolic/ Catabolic

Question 1

Define Anabolic reaction:

Answer 1

Anabolic reactions are those that build complex molecules from simple ones.

Cells use these processes to make polymers, grow tissue, and repair damage. For example: Anabolic hormones stimulate anabolic processes.

Energy + smaller molecules use enzymes make larger molecules

Question 2

Define Catabolic reaction:

Answer 2

Catabolism is the set of biochemical reactions that break down complex molecules (large) into simpler ones (small).

Cells can store useful raw materials in complex molecules, use catabolism to break them down, and recover the smaller molecules to build new products. For example, catabolism of proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, and polysaccharides generates amino acids, fatty acids, nucleotides, and monosaccharides

• Large molecules use enzymes to be broken down and produce energy and smaller molecules
• Make ATP

Question 3

What are biomolecules?

Answer 3

Macromolecules (larger molecule) and have to be broken down

Question 4

“Structure defines function”

Answer 4

……

Question 5

What are the properties of water?

Answer 5

1. Water is polar (1 side is slightly negatively charged, other side is positively)
2. Highly cohesive (sticks to itself) opposites attract

Question 6

Structure of water:

Answer 6

• 2 hydrogen atom share an electron pair with oxygen atom (covalent)
• Bent geometry (charge distribution is asymmetric)

Question 7

Why is water described as cohesive?

Answer 7

• single water molecule doesn’t exist on its own
• oxygen and hydrogen atoms attracts each other by hydrogen bonds
• water molecules interact strongly with one another through the hydrogen bonds (strong metallic cohesive force)

Question 8

Water as a solvent:

Answer 8

• polar solvent
• readily dissolves most biomolecules which are generally charged or polar
• Water greatly weakens electrostatic forces and hydrogen bonding between polar molecules by competing

Question 9

How does water affect bonding abilities of biomolecules?

Answer 9

• weak interactions are vital between biomolecules (life)
• rapid and reversible interactions

examples of weak interactions:

1. Enzymes [substrate, active site, products]
   - if substrate has strong bonds it cannot carry out processes and form products
2. Hormones and Receptors
3. Antibody