General Biochemistry Flashcards
What are prokaryotic cells
They comprise bacteria, they are relatively simple and have no true nucleus and no internal membrane bound organelles
What are eukaryotic cells
Found in higher animals and plants
Large complex molecules
What is the function of the plasma membrane
Semi permeable barrier between cytoplasm and external enviroment
What is the function of the nucleus
Controls cell activity
DNA found here
What is the role of the nucleolus
Ribosomes constructed here
Where is the site of transcription
The nucleus
What is the role of ribosomes
Main role id to facilitate protein translation
What is the rough endoplasmic reticulum
Contains ribosomes
Protein modification and production
What is the smooth endoplasmic reticulum
Predominant function is manufacturing of lipids
No ribosomes
What role does the smooth ER play in the liver
Converts organic chemicals into safer water soluble products
In the liver can double the surface area
Function of the golgi aparatus
- further modifies proteins
- stores proteins
- packages proteins
Function of vacuoles
Used as storage areas
Function of vesicles
Function in transport
Function of lysosomes
The breakdown of extracellular materials, large vesicles formed by the Golgi apparatus
Function of mitochondria
Powerhouse of the cell
ATP formation
What are the two membranes of the mitochondria
- outer membrane - smooth and sieve like
- inner membrane folded into CRISTAE - surfaces on which ATP is generated
Function of the cytoplasm
Facilitates transport of material around the cell
What is the cytoskeleton
In eukaryotic cells there are fibrous proteins in the cytoplasm known as the cytoskeleton
- maintain shape of cell
- anchors organelles
What is a buffer
A solution which resists change in pH when acid or alkali is added to it
What is the major buffer in saliva
Bicarbonate
How do you calculate the pH from the hydrogen ion concentration of a solution
pH = -log10(H+)
What is the pH of a solution with (H+) of 0.00001M
PH 5
What are acids
A substance which in water tends to produce H+ ions
What is a base
A substance which in water tends to combine with H+ ions
What is the relationship between the strength of acid and Ka value
The stronger the acid the higher the Ka and the lower the pKa
What is Ka
The acid dissociation constant
What is pKa
A number that describes the acidity of a particular molecule
What is the Henderson-Hasselbalch Equation
pH = pKa+log10(B-)/(A)
How do you calculate pKa
pKa=-log10Ka
What are buffer solutions made of
Consist of a conjugate acid base pair of either a weak acid or weak base
What is the role of buffering in the body
Maintains body pH homeostasis
Why is buffering in the mouth important
Limits pH changes due to acid production by plaque bacteria