Metabolisum overview

Question 1

What is the first law of thermodynamics and how does this link to Gibbs energy of a system

Answer 1

First law of thermodynamics = energy is a system is concerved, energy cannot be created or destoryed only changed in form

ΔG > 0 = not favorable -> not spontaneous, must be coupled to occur
ΔG = 0 = equilibrium -> rectants and products same energy bonds
ΔG < 0 = favorable -> spontaneous reaction

Question 2

Why is adenosine triphosphate a good energy intermediate and how is its supply maintained

Answer 2

Energy can be stored in the high energy phosphoanhydride bonds - hydrolysis of these bonds then releases this energy
Regeneration of this currancy by ATP synthase powered by stepwise oxidation of fuel molecules

Question 3

What is a macromolecule

Answer 3

Macromoleules = large molecules which are broken down into fuel molecules
Lipids -> fatty acids
carbohydrates -> glucose
proteins -> amino acids

Question 4

What are micronutriance

Answer 4

Micronutrients - minerals or vitamin dirrivatives
Minerals = inorganic 2 classes
-major - high conc - Na, P, K, Mg
-Minor - low conc (trace) - Fe, Cu, Zn

vitamins = organic
- water solubles not stored (b-classes)
- lipid solubles stored

Question 4

What is a co enzyme

Answer 4

Co enzymes are a type of cofactor
vitamine dirrived carriers (electrons, hydrogen, functional groups) in low concentrations
have two states and are essential to enzyme function

Question 5

How is oxidation of fuel molecules controled

Answer 5

Stepwise oxidation -> small oxidative steps which slows the breakdown of macromolecules enabling the energy to be converted into bonds within ATP for later use

Question 5

What are two methods for energy release in a cell

Answer 5

ATP break down (hydrolysis) to release bond energy
OXidation - of fuel molecules to release lots of energy

Question 6

What is a reduction equivilant

Answer 6

Reduction equivilant is anything with the capacity to carry 1e-
often H atoms, 1H+ and 1e-
NAD, FAD, NADP