Session 5 - Energy Reaction in Cells

Question 1

Define oxidation

Answer 1

The removal (loss) of electrons or hydrogen
Or the addition (gain) of an oxygen

Question 2

Define reduction

Answer 2

The addition (gain) of an electron or hydrogen
Or the removal (loss) of oxygen

Question 3

Define metabolism

Answer 3

The highly integrated network of chemical reactions that occur within cells

Question 4

Name some carriers of reducing power.

Answer 4

NAD+
NADP+
FAD

Question 5

Are reducing carriers able to be synthesised in the body?

Answer 5

No, they require the consumption and absorption of the vitamin riboflavin from which some of the carriers can be synthesised

Question 6

Name 2 important reactions where reducing agents are oxidised.

Answer 6

The conversion of Peruvian acid to lactic acid

Cell respiration - oxidative phosphorylation

Question 7

What is and how is creative phosphate used?

Answer 7

Creatine phosphate is a small store of free energy in skeletal and cardiac muscle cells that can be utilised in the first few seconds of vigorous exercise.
It is converted from creatine to creatine phosphate when ATP Levels are high.

Question 8

How is creatinine used to indicate muscle mass?

Answer 8

Creatinine is the non-enzymatic product of both creatine and creatine phosphate. Its production occurs at a constant rate and is proportional to the level of creatine and creatine phosphate so in term is proportional to muscle mass. Creatinine has no function in the body so is readily removed by the kidneys and excreted in the urine hence why it indicates muscle mass

Question 9

What is used as good indicator of kidney function?

Answer 9

Creatinine levels are measured in the blood and the urine. If levels are high in the blood but low in the urine then this indicates that the kidneys have reduced function.