MEH session 2 Flashcards
Does pyruvate enter the Kreb’s cycle directly?
No.
Pyruvate is converted to acetyl coA before entering stage 3 of catabolism
What does pyruvate dehydrogenase do?
Converts pyruvate to acetyl coA
This is an irreversible reaction because the loss of CO2 from pyruvate is irreversible
What deficiency is pyruvate dehydrogenase sensitive to?
Vitamin B1 deficiency
This provides FAD, thiamine pyrophosphate and lipoid acid
What is pyruvate dehydrogenase inhibited by?
High energy substrates: Acetyl coA NADH ATP Citrate (an intermediate in the krebs cycle)
These substrates phosphorylate the enzyme.
This allosterically inhibits the enzyme
What is pyruvate dehydrogenase activated by?
Low energy substrates and substrates: Pyruvate Coenzyme A NAD+ ADP Insulin
These dephosphorylate pyruvate dehydrogenase and allosterically activate the enzyme
What happens when there is a pyruvate dehydrogenase deficiency?
Pyruvate is diverted to lactate production via lactate dehydrogenase for the regeneration of NAD+
Leads to lactic acidosis
Where is pyruvate dehydogenase?
In the mitochondrial matrix
What feeds into the TCA cycle?
2 acetyl coA
2 oxaloacetate
6 NAD+
2 FAD
What are the products of the TCA cycle for one glucose molecule?
6 NADH 2 FADH2 2 GTP 4 CO2 2 oxoloacetate
Which enzymes regulate the TCA cycle?
Enzymes catalysing irreversible steps where CO2 is removed.
Isocitrate dehydrogenase
Stimulated by high [ADP]
Inhibited by high [NADP] [ATP]
Alpha ketoglutarate dehydrogenase
Inhibited by high [NADH] [ATP] [succinyl-coA]
What are the catabolic functions of the TCA cycle?
- –>Oxidise C atoms to CO2
- –>H+ and e- are removed from acetate and are transferred to NAD+ and FAD
What are the anabolic functions of the TCA cycle?
C5 and C4 intermediates used for the synthesis of non-essential amino acids.
C4 intermediates used for the synthesis of haem and glucose.
C6 intermediate used for the synthesis of fatty acids.
What would cause the TCA cycle to rapidly stop?
Absence of oxygen
NADH and FADH2 are not oxidised
What is the energy yield of ATP from one glucose molecule in aerobic respiration?
32 molecules ATP/glucose
Explain the processes of electron transport and ATP synthesis and how they are coupled.
Electron transport - electrons in NADH and FADH2 are transferred through a series of carrier molecules to oxygen with the step-wise release of free energy
ATP synthesis - the free energy released in electron transport is used to drive ATP synthesis from ADP and Pi via proton translocating complexes
Describe how ATP is synthesised by oxidative phosphorylation.
- electrons are transferred through series of carrier molecules to oxygen with release of energy
- Proton translocation get complexes use the free energy from electrons being transferred to them to move protons from inside the mitochondria to the intermembranal space
- the membrane itself is impermeable to protons so the proton concentration of protons in the intermembranal space increases creating a proton gradient (p.m.f) both electrical and chemical
- protons can only re-enter the mitochondrial matrix via the ATP synthase complex, driving the synthesis of ATP from ADP and Pi
Does NADH or FADH2 result in the production of more ATP by oxidative phosphorylation?
NADH
What regulates the electron transport chain?
[ATP] in the cell
When [ATP] is high or [ADP] is low, there is no substrate for ATP synthase
Inward flow of H+ stops
Concentration of H+ in the intermitochondrial membrane space increases
Prevents further H+ from pumping. In the absence of proton pumping, electron transport stops.
[NADH] builds up and inhibits earlier pathways
How can the electron transport chain be inhibited by substances such as cyanide and carbon monoxide?
Some carriers contain heme groups to which these substances strongly bind
Inhibitors block electron transport and prevents acceptance of electrons by oxygen
Under these conditions NADH and FADH2 cannot be oxidised by electron transport and there is no energy to drive the pumping of protons so ATP is not synthesised
Irreversible cell damage rapidly occurs
(These substances also bind to haemoglobin and prevent oxygen transport)
What do uncoupling proteins do to the electron transport chain?
Increase permeability of membrane to H+
H+ enters mitochondria without driving ATP synthase
This dissipates p.m.f
no phosphorylation of ADP
No inhibition of electron transport so it continues and energy is dissipated as heat
What is dinitrophenol?
Often used unwisely as a slimming agent
Acts as an uncoupler for the electron transport chain
How is brown adipose tissue adapted to non-shivering thermogenesis?
In response to cold, noradrenaline is released from the sympathetic nervous system. This
-stimulates lipase
Releases fatty acids from triacylglycerol
Beta-oxidation of the fatty acids produced NADH and FADH2
-activates UCP1
Uncoupled electron transport from ATP synthesis
Increases per
What is the difference between oxidative phosphorylation and substrate level phosphorylation?
Oxidative phosphorylation:
- requires membrane associated complexes (inner mitochondrial membrane) whereas substrate level phosphorylation requires soluble enzymes (cytoplasmic and mitochondrial matrix)
- energy coupling occurs indirectly through generation and subsequent utilisation of a proton gradient (p.m.f) whereas in substrate level phosphorylation energy coupling occurs directly through formation of a high energy of hydrolysis bond (phosphoryl-group transfer)
- cannot occur in absence of oxygen whereas substrate level phosphorylation can occur to a limited extent in the absence of oxygen
- major process for ATP synthesis that requires large amounts of energy whereas substrate level phosphorylation is a minor process for ATP synthesis in cells that require large amounts energy
Why do lipids release more energy when oxidised compared to carbohydrates?
They are more reduced than carbohydrates
What are the three main classes of lipids?
Fatty acid derivatives
Hydroxyl-methyl glutamic acid derivatives (C6 compound)
Vitamins
Give some examples of fatty acid derivatives.
Fatty acids- fuel molecules
Triacylglycerols
Phospholipids
Eicosanoids
Give some examples of hydroxy-methyl glutamic acid derivatives.
Ketone bodies
Cholesterol
Cholesterol esters
Bile acids and salts
In an obese person, in which molecule is most of their excess energy stored?
Triacylglycerol
What are the major dietary lipids?
Butter
Ghee
Margarine
Vegetable oils
Describe the structure of triacylglycerols.
Glycerol backbone
3 fatty acids
What is the process of synthesising triacylglycerol called?
What is the process of breaking down triacylglycerol called?
Synthesis = esterification Breakdown = lipolysis
What kind of fatty acids are essential components of the diet?
Certain unpolyunsaturated fatty acids
Eg. Arachidonic acid
Where is the major site of lipid synthesis?
Liver and some in adipose tissue