Chapter 7&8- Metabolism And Growth Flashcards
Why are proteins significant to the cells?
They are workers or tools and activities take place because of them
What are proteins made of?
Amino acids
What determines the properties of a protein?
Exact type, quantity, and sequence of amino acids
What determines a protein’s function?
The form of the protein
What is metabolism?
Any chemical or physical reaction
What is the difference between anabolism and catabolism?
Anabolism= binds and synthesizes
Catabolism= breaks it down
Why are enzymes considered biological catalysts?
They speed up biological reactions
What is an enzyme substrate?
A substance that attaches itself to an enzyme’s active site
What is an enzyme’s active site?
Groove-like pocket that interacts with the substrate
How does the “lock and key” analogy work?
The shape of the substrate must fit into the active site.
What are cofactors?
Organic molecule or metal ions
Why do we require vitamins in our diet?
Our bodies enzymes need them to function
What is the function of an enzyme regulatory site?
Interact and bind with regulatory molecules that turn the active site on or off
What is a metabolic pathway?
A pathway that hands a multi-series step. Each step is catalyzed by an enzyme.
What is a pacemaker?
They set the rate of a pathway’s progression
What are the three primary types of metabolic pathways?
Linear
Cyclic
Branched
What is competitive inhibition?
When the cell supplies a molecule that resembles that enzyme’s normal substrate, which then occupies and blocks the enzyme’s active site
What is non competitive inhibition?
The enzyme has two binding sites- the active site and the regulatory site; a regulator molecule binds to the regulatory site providing a negative feedback
What is denaturation
The loss of shape and function of proteins and nucleic acids
What are common environment factors that lead to denaturation?
Heat
Cold
Acids and bases
Other molecules
What happens to enzymes that are either too high or too low?
Too low and they are too sluggish
Too high and they denature
What are psychrophiles, mesophiles,and thermophiles?
Pychro= organisms whose optimum growth temperature occurs below 60 degrees and are capable of growth at 32 degrees
Meso= organism that grows at temps with optimum growth temp generally between 68-113degrees
Thermo= organism that grows optimally at temps above 113 degrees
What is pH?
A measure of acids or bases
How does pH potentially affect an enzyme?
Acids and bases can damage enzymes by disrupting their 3D shape and function
What pH ranges are considered acidic, neutral, and alkaline?
0-7= acidic
7= neutral
7-14= alkaline
How do enzymes play a part in pathogen’s virulency
Pathogens produce enzymes which have specificity for various host tissues and cells
How is a pathogen generally different from a saprobe?
Whether or not they produce enzymes capable of harming a living host organism
How do microbes digest their substrate?
Harmlessly release extra cellular enzymes into their environment
What benefit does decomposition have on plants and algae?
The organic fertilizer that was made from decomposition is now being used by plants and algae
