Biological Specimens, A&P, Chrom, Metabolism Flashcards
What is meant by the term “metabolism”?
A sequence of enzyme catalyzed chemical reactions in the cell - both anabolic and catabolic reactions
Anabolic and catabolic pathways are different Briefly explain two of the differences between an anabolic pathway and a catabolic pathway.
Anabolic is assembling complex molecules
Catabolic is degradation of complex molecules to smaller ones
What is an enzyme?
An enzyme is a catalyst. Often a protein
What is an enzyme “active site”?
Part of the enzyme that the substrate binds to
When referring to an enzymatic reaction, what is meant by the term “substrate”?
The reactant in an enzyme-catalysed reaction
When referring to an enzymatic reaction, what is meant by the term “product”?
The results after the anabolic and catabolic parts of the reaciton
List and briefly explain four (4) variables that can effect enzyme activity.
Temperature
-Different substrates have different optimum temperatures for enzymatic activity
pH
-Different substrates have different optimum pH levels for enzymatic activity
Concentration of substrate
- The more substrate the greater the reaction rate. However it plateaus quickly
Concentration of enzymes
-The more enzyme the more the reaction rate. This goes up linearly
A laboratory assay uses an enzymatic reaction as part of the assay procedure. Explain why the incorrect incubation time for the laboratory assay may effect the results of the assay
If the incubation time is not long enough the enzymes and substrates wont have enough time to react with one another.
What factors may affect the reliability of a laboratory test result?
Accuracy and precision
Explain the term accuracy when referring to laboratory results. Use a hypothetical example in your explanation.
How close the measured value is to the true value
If a weight is known to be 100g and the test measures it to be 100g it is accurate.
Explain the term precision when referring to laboratory results. Use a hypothetical example in your explanation.
How consistent the set of measurements are.
If a weight is measured at 80g and the test consistently measures it the same each time, then it is precise
Why might a protein need to be separated from a mixture of other proteins?
Isolation is necessary in order to prepare and analyse the individual protein
What types of molecules can be separated from a mixture using chromatography?
DNA, RNA, and other organic molecules
List three Chromatography principles (examples) that can be used to separate a molecule of interest from a mixture.
Affinity Column
Ion Exchange
Gel flitration
For each of the principles that you listed in answer to the question above, what property of the molecule of interest is being utilised (eg size, charge, etc)
Affinity Column - Ligand
Ion Exchange - Charge
Gel Filtration - Size
