Bioenergetics Flashcards
Under aerobic conditions, where is 95% of cellular ATP produced?
In the mitochondria
Describe the outer membrane of the mitochondria?
- Smooth and freely permeable to molecules
- No ionic or electrical gradients
Describe the inner membrane of the mitochondria?
- Folded into christae
- Permeable to a small number of molecules only via specific transporters
- A good electrical insulator, capable of maintaining large ionic gradients
- Contains more protein than lipid –> respiratory enzymes, transporter proteins
What are the 2 spaces in mitochondria?
- Matrix space (in the middle)
2. Intermembrane space (between inner and outer membranes)
What does the matrix space contain?
- Wide variety of enzymes
- High conc of substrates, cofactors and ions
- Mitochondrial DNA, RNA and ribosomes (ribosomes resemble prokaryotes)
What does the intermembrane space?
- Has metabolite and ion conc similar to cytosol
- Contains cytochrome C
After glycolysis, where is pyruvate transported?
Across the inner mitochondrial membrane from cytosol to mitochondrial matrix
What reaction links glycolysis to the Krebs cycle (link reaction)?
Pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) catalyses conversion of pyruvate to acetyl CoA
What can a disruption of PDH function be caused by?
Lack of thiamine
What can a disruption of PDH function lead to?
Beriberi –> neurological and CVS symptoms
Where can a lack of thiamine be seen?
Alcohol addicts as alcohol affects absorption of thiamine –> can cause Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome
Can acetyl CoA be converted back to glucose?
No
Conversion of pyruvate to acetyl CoA commits the C atoms of glucose to energy production or lipid synthesis
When is PDH inhibited?
When energy levels are high (as glucose not needed for ATP at this moment)
What is the 1st stage in the Krebs/citric acid cycle?
Synthesis of 6-C compound (citrate) which then loses 2 C as CO2 to become 4-C compound (succinyl CoA)
What is the 2nd stage in the Krebs/citric acid cycle?
Oxidation of 4-C compound to regenerate oxaloacetate and initiate another round of the cycle
What are the main outputs of the Krebs cycle?
Reduced coenzymes NADH and FADH2 –> electron carriers
CO2 –> waste product
1 GTP –> 1 ATP
What is the Krebs cycle inhibited by?
ATP and NADH
What is the Krebs cycle activated by?
ADP and NAD+
What are the key enzymes involved in the Krebs cycle?
- Citrate synthase
- Isocitrate dehydrogenase
- α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase
What is effect of type 1 diabetes on glycolysis and gluconeogenesis?
Glycolysis is inhibited so pyruvate levels are low
Gluconeogenesis is not inhibited so oxaloacetate and malate is being removed to form glucose
In the absence of insulin (in type 1 diabetes) what does the body switch over to using?
Fatty acids from adipose tissue -> oxidised to acetyl CoA
What is effect of type 1 diabetes on acetyl CoA levels?
Acetyl CoA levels are high but limited oxaloacetate to react with it (can’t enter Krebs)
So ketones are synthesised instead