Life at the cellular level, Enzymes, Forces acting across membranes Flashcards
What are the two laws of thermodynamics?
- Energy can be CONVERTED from one form to another but the total energy of the universe remains constant.
- All energy transformations lead to more disorder.
How do cells maintain order?
By performing anabolic and catabolic reactions.
What is delta G (free energy) equal to?
deltaG = deltaH - TdeltaS
H = heat released T = absolute temp S = entropy
What does a negative deltaG value indicate?
Gives off free energy, catabolic, spontaneous, increase entropy
What does a positive deltaG value indicate?
Takes in free energy, anabolic, energetically unfavourable
What reaction is energetically favourable?
Catabolic reaction (negative delta G)
What reaction is energetically unfavourable?
Anabolic (positive delta G)
What type of reaction increases entropy?
Catabolic
What type of reaction is spontaneous?
Catabolic
What are catabolic and anabolic reactions coupled?
Maintain a dynamic steady state of free energy flow.
What type of reaction is exergonic and give an example?
Catabolic e.g hydrolysis
What type of reaction is endergonic and give an example?
Anabolic e.g condensation
Describe metabolism.
Chemical process, food used for tissue growth, catalysed by enzymes, intermediate metabolites, spontaneous reactions.
What is the function of NAD+/NADP+ and FAD?
Act as co-enzymes/ electron carrier molecules. FAD captures two H+ ions whereas, NAD+/NADP+ has one reactive site.
What is the function of ATP?
“Universal currency”, stores energy and uses phosphoric group transfer between molecules for energy flow.It breaks down to ADP + Pi to supply free energy.
Where does substrate level phosphorylation occur?
In cytosol and mitochondria.
Where does oxidative phosphorylation occur?
Inner membrane of mitochondria.
What is substrate-level phosphorylation?
Phosphorylates ADP from substrate to ATP using kinases.
Give an example of substrate-level phosphorylation.
Glycolysis
What is oxidative phosphorylation?
Nutrients or chemicals provide energy to transfer a phosphate group to ADP and produce ATP with the help of the electron transport chain, NADH electron carriers and ATP synthase, O2.
what are the four major elements that construct human biomolecules?
C, H, O, N
Explain why polarity of C-C bonds are crucial.
- C-C and C-H share electrons so stable.
- C-O, C-N, C-functional group highly polar so alter C-bond reactivity.
- C-C rotates freely
- C=C don’t rotate (rigid)
What are the 5 kinds of chemical reactions?
- Redox (OILRIG)
- Making/Breaking C bonds
- Internal re-arrangements
- Group transfers
- Condensation and Hydrolysis
Give an example of a redox reaction.
Glucose to 2 x pyruvate (glycolysis)
Give an example of making/breaking bonds.
Cleavage of glucose in glycolysis.
Give an example of internal re-arrangements.
Glycolysis (before glucose is split)
Give an example of group transfers.
Glycolysis (phosphate group transfer for ATP production)
Give examples of condensation and hydrolysis reactions.
All sub-units of proteins, polysaccharides and nucleic acids are Broken by Hydrolysis and Joined by Condensation.
Describe the structure of polysaccharides.
Polymers of sugar molecules linked by glycosidic bonds.
Describe the structure of proteins.
Polymers of AA monomers linked by peptide bonds.
Describe the structure of nucleic acids.
Polymers of nucleotide monomers linked by 3’, 5’-phosphodiester bonds.
Describe the structure of lipids.
One or more long chain fatty acids with a carboxyl group and hydrocarbon fatty acid chain.
What structures are absent form prokaryotic cells compared to eukaryotic cells.
- Nuclear membrane
- Mitochondria
- Membrane bound structures
What is the role of the nucleus?
Contains histone proteins, DNA, nucleoprotein and some RNA, enclosed by phospholipid bilayer.
What is the role of the rough ER and Golgi?
Central dogma i.e transcription and translation and role in protein modifications and transport.
What is the role of the lysosome?
Separate enzymes from rest of cell, used in autophagy or digestion of engulfed particles.
What is the role of mitochondria?
Matrix contains binding sites for calcium and enzymes for oxidation. Has it’s own ribosomes and circular DNA so will self-replicate.
What are cilia and flagella?
Cell surface projections made of microtubules.
What is the role of the peroxisome?
Breakdown long chain FAs through beta-oxidation.