Fundamentals Of Biochemical Reactions Flashcards
Biological reactions within the body are thermodynamically regulated by what biochemical property?
Free energy (dG)
What is the relative value of dG in an exergonic reaction?
An endergonic reaction?
Exergonic: dG < 0 (spontaneous)
Endergonic: dG > 0 (non-spontaneous)
When dG = 0, reaction is said to be in equilibrium. What is the value of Keq in this scenario?
Keq = 1 at equilibrium
True or false: A reaction with a value of -4.23 for dG is spontaneous under standard conditions; it will occur more quickly than a similar reaction with a value of -1.22 for dG.
False; both reactions will occur spontaneously, but the value of dG is not indicative of reaction rate. Even spontaneous reactions may occur slowly if a catalyzing enzyme is not present. It is the presence of enzyme that dictates reaction rate, NOT free energy.
Le Chatelier’s principle (of mass action) indicates that the sign of dG is dependent on _______
Keq
In order for a reaction to be driven forward by coupling:
The coupled reactions must share a common ___________
Free energy parameters are ___________
Intermediate
Additive
ADH requires oxidized NAD+ for catalytic activity. In the reaction catalyzed by ADH, an alcohol is oxidized to an aldehyde as NAD+ is reduced to NADH and dissociates from the enzyme. The NAD is functioning as a(n):
A. Apoenzyme
B. Coenzyme
C. Cofactor
D. Heterotropic effector
B. Coenzyme
[note that cofactors are typically metal ions, while coenzymes are small organic molecules]
What is the simplest beta-keto acid? (Basic form in physiological conditions)
Acetoacetate
[this is an intermediate of fatty acid metabolism; beta oxidation of AOA converts it to Acetyl CoA]
What is the result of b-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase acting on acetoacetate, and what is the significance of this molecule?
B-hydroxybutyric acid
-This is the first ketone to be produced in the fasting state; it is able to cross the blood-brain barrier. Epileptic patients can control seizures with ketogenic diet, which controls blood-brain beta-hydroxybutyrate levels
What is the body’s buffering system and what is the range of ideal physiological pH?
Bicarbonate buffer system (H2CO3/HCO3), maintains a pH of 7.37-7.43
Kidneys regulate blood pH by removing protons in the form of _______ and reabsorbing ________.
Low blood pH increases removal of ______ and reabsorption of ________.
High pH results in fewer ______ removed and less ______ reabsorption.
NH4+ ; HCO3
H+ ; bicarb
H+ ; bicarb
The 2 varieties of acid-base imbalances include a metabolic component and a respiratory component:
__________ is the metabolic component.
__________ is the respiratory component.
Bicarbonate
CO2
Describe acidosis (respiratory and metabolic) in terms of equilibrium shift
Equilibrium shifts to the left due to excess CO2
Describe alkalosis (respiratory and metabolic) in terms of equilibrium shift
Equilibrium shifts to the right due to insufficient CO2
Describe metabolic acidosis in terms of pH, pCO2, [HCO3-], and compensatory response
pH decrease
pCO2 decrease
[HCO3-] decrease
Compensatory response: hyperventilation
Describe respiratory acidosis in terms of pH, pCO2, [HCO3-], and compensatory response
pH decrease
pCO2 increase
[HCO3-] increase
Compensatory response: increase in renal bicarb reabsorption
Describe metabolic alkalosis in terms of pH, pCO2, [HCO3-], and compensatory response
pH increase
pCO2 increase
[HCO3-] increase
Compensatory response: hypoventilation
Describe respiratory alkalosis in terms of pH, pCO2, [HCO3-], and compensatory response
pH increase
pCO2 decrease
[HCO3-] decrease
Compensatory response: decreased renal bicarb reabsorption
Which of the following might result from diarrhea, weakened kidney function, or the addition of lactate to the blood?
A. Metabolic acidosis
B. Respiratory acidosis
C. Metabolic alkalosis
D. Respiratory alkalosis
A. Metabolic acidosis
Which of the following might result from excessive vomiting or following a dose of antacid?
A. Metabolic acidosis
B. Respiratory acidosis
C. Metabolic alkalosis
D. Respiratory alkalosis
C. Metabolic alkalosis
What effect do enzymes have on the free energy of a reaction?
NONE!
What enzyme class cleaves bonds via the addition of water and what are some examples?
Hydrolases
[Esterases, Glycosidases, Peptidases, Amidases]
What enzyme class forms C-O, C-S, C-N, or C-C bonds with the hydrolysis of ATP and what are some examples?
Ligases (synthetases)
[C-C ligases, C-O ligases, C-N ligases, C-S ligases]
What enzyme class adds or removes atoms (e.g., elements of water, ammonia, or CO2) to or from a double bond; and what are some examples?
Lyases (synthases)
[C-C lyases, C-O lyases, C-N lyases, C-S lyases]
What enzyme class rearranges molecules and what are some examples?
Isomerases
[epimerases, cis/trans isomerases, intramolecular transferases]
What enzyme class transfers a functional group (e.g., amino, phosphate, etc.) between molecules; and what are some examples?
Transferases
[C1 transferases, glycosyltransferases, aminotransferases, phosphotransferases]
What enzyme class transfers electrons from a donor to an acceptor; and what are some examples?
Oxidoreductases
[dehydrogenases, oxidases, peroxidases, reductases, monooxygenases, dioxygenases]
An enzyme that is not bound to its cofactor is known as an _______________, while an enzyme that is bound to its cofactor is called a _____________
Apoenzyme
Holoenzyme
The substrate binding site of an enzyme is called the active site, where residues directly interact with the substrate. What are the 2 primary hypotheses for how this takes place, and which one is more widely accepted?
Lock and key hypothesis (perfect fit hypothesis)
Induced fit hypothesis (binding induces conformational changes in active site *** this one is more widely accepted)
The catalytic site of the enzyme is the site responsible for reducing the activation energy of a reaction, thus facilitating its progression. It is often thought of as the “catalytic triad” which is made up of what 3 components?
Acid - Base - Nucleophile
[for example: aspartate (acid), histidine (base), and serine (nucleophile)]
One subtype of coenzyme called a __________ facilitates a temporary association, meaning it binds the enzyme and detaches in an altered state
Cosubstrate
[example: NAD+ becomes loosely associated with enzyme and leaves in its reduced form NADH]
One subtype of coenzyme called a __________ __________ becomes permanently associated with the enzyme
Prosthetic group
[example: FAD becomes tightly bound to enzyme but remains in its original form]