Chapter 2: Cell Chemistry

Question 1

What are the strongest chemical bonds in the cell environment?

Answer 1

covalent

Question 2

Ionic bonds increase in strength only in what conditions?

Answer 2

vacuum

Question 3

What macromolecule is the majority of a cell’s mass?

Answer 3

protein

Question 4

Why is there more RNA than DNA in a cell?

Answer 4

1. need many RNA copies to produce 15% of proteins
2. high demand for protein replacement
3. unstable RNA

Question 5

What is a composition definition of an enzyme?

Answer 5

proteins comprised of amino acids polymerized together into polypeptide chains; AA composition determines structure and function

Question 6

What is the functional definition of an enzyme?

Answer 6

a biological catalyst that lowers the activation energy of a specific reaction

Question 7

What is the rate of diffusion H2O in a cell?

Answer 7

10 um in 0.2 seconds

Question 8

What two things does the diffusion rate limit within the cell?

Answer 8

1. cell size
2. enzyme activity (speed of these reactions)

Question 9

This is a phenomenon where one (usually energetically favorable) reaction provides the energy for a normally non-spontaneous reaction

Answer 9

biochemical coupling

Question 10

lower stability of a given molecule = ______

Answer 10

higher energy

Question 11

What will happen to a concentration of ATP if left only in water for a very long time?

Answer 11

[ATP] will not change/converted to ADP

Question 12

What is step 10 of glycolysis catalyzed by?

Answer 12

pyruvate kinase

Question 13

What is produced in step 10 of glycolysis?

Answer 13

ATP! and pyruvate

Question 14

What is the biggest problem with step 10 of glycolysis?

Answer 14

huge loss of energy as heat (irreversible)