Chapter 4 Flashcards
What is a ligand?
a molecule that binds to a specific receptor on a cell
What is the difference between mRNA, rRNA, and tRNA and their functions?
mRNA- Carries the RNA template outside of the cell
rRNA- It reads the amino acids and links them together
tRNA- It delivers amino acids to the ribosomes
Where are triplets, Codons, and anticodons located?
Triplets- In DNA
Codons- mRNA
Anticodons- tRNA
What do triplets, Codons, and Anticodons code for?
Triplets- Specific single amino acid
Codons- Codes for a single amino acid
Anticodons- Codes for a single amino acid
What is AUG in an amino acid sequence?
They start codon for the amino acid sequence
Why is it important for a gene to have a specific sequence of nucleotides?
Because that sequence determines how the protein functions. And we need specific proteins to do certain functions for us to live and function properly
How does a cell only have 20,00 genes but 100,000 proteins? (4 ways)
- RNA cut and spliced in different ways
- alternate polypeptide interactions (getting cut and binding to different polypeptides)
- Carbs or lipids binding to alter function
- Posttranslational modification
What is splicing?
It is where the introns get cut out from a sequence but the exons are left and combine IN THE SAME SEQUENCE/PROTEIN
What is alternative splicing?
Exons from the multiple genes are joined in DIFFERENT combos/ DIFFERENT PROTEINS leading to different related proteins
What is a protein isoform?
Proteins that are related whose functions are similar but their ligands differ
What is an example of a protein isoform? (hemoglobin)
Infants have different hemoglobin protein isoforms that absorb more oxygen than hemoglobin in adults
When OGEN is at the end of a word what can be assumed the molecule is?
An inactive enzyme
What is the function of the chaperone protein?
They guide each protein as it takes on secondary and tertiary structure (help fold correctly
What is protein specificity and some examples?
The ability of a protein to bind to a specific ligand or group.
Examples sucrase- only catalyzes sucrose into glucose and fructose
What is protein affinity?
The strength to which a protein is attached to a ligand
What is protein reversibility?
When proteins bind to other molecules non covalently, they are reversible
What is protein activation?
When a protein is inactive in the cell the enzyme chops off a portion or two of the molecule to make it active again
What is a protein agonist and antagonist?
Agonist- A substance that supports or mimics the actions of a ligand to make a response
Antagonist- It inhibits the function of the ligand
What is the difference in competitive, non-competitive, and uncompetitive inhibition in enzymes?
Competitive- When the inhibitor binds to the binding site of the protein before the ligand gets there
Non-competitive- When the inhibitor binds to the allosteric site (or another site) on the protein and it decreases the ability of the ligand to bind properly to the binding site
Uncompetitive- When the inhibitor just binds to the protein and doesn’t effect the ligand at all
What is a reactant called when an enzyme is required to produce products?
A substrate
What are the 5 factors that contribute to the probability of a chemical reaction to occur?
- Chemical nature of the reacting substance
- State of subdivision (one large lump of reactants vs small particles of them)
- Temperature of reactants (the hotter they are the more likely it is to occur)
- Concentration of reactants (how many there are)
- Presence of a catalyst (something that speeds up the process like a ligand or substrate)
Explain why most chemical reactions in the body cannot occur without an enzyme.
Because the body needs a catalyst (enzyme) to speed up the reaction process at lower temperatures and lower the activation energy. Without it the body would get too hot and wouldn’t be able to do the processes fast
Define activation energy of a reaction. Does this energy encourage or discourage a reaction?
Activation energy is the minimum energy required for the reactants to engage in a reaction. So it discourages a reaction since it is like a wall in the reactants way
What are the contributing factors to activation energy? (4)
- Collision theory ( the odds of 2 molecules colliding
- Placing reactants in proper position for a reaction to happen
- Breaking bonds between reactants
- Removing water from reactants
Why is heat not considered a catalyst?
Because it becomes part of the reaction. And it has negative effects on cells (kills them)
Heat can affect chemical reactions; however, the body does not depend on temperature to carry out vital functions. Why is an enzyme used in place of heat?
It is used in place of heat because it can speed up the reaction and lower the activation energy AT LOWER SAFER TEMPERATUREs
What are the 4 benefits of using an enzyme in a chemical reaction?
- Increases the rate of the reaction (makes it go faster)
- Not changed by the reaction (can be used again
- Doesn’t change the nature of the reaction (it could’ve occurred without it)
- Lowers the activation energy
What does the enzyme Synthase do? Name an example
catalyzes synthesis reactions
Example: Synthase takes ADP and adds P to make ATP