Topic 1 - Key concepts Flashcards
What are enzymes?
Biological catalysts
What is an advantage of enzymes in the body?
They enable cellular reactions to take place at lower temperatures
What is the active site of an enzyme?
The region of an enzyme to which a substrate molecule binds and the reaction takes place
Why are enzymes described as having a ‘high specificity’ for their substrate?
Only substrates with a specific, complementary shape can fit into an enzyme’s active site
Describe the lock and key model
- Substrate collides with the active site of an enzyme
- Substrate binds, enzyme substrate complex forms
- Substrate converted to products
- Products released from the active site which is now free to bind to another substrate
What factors affect the rate of an enzyme-controlled reaction?
Temperature
pH
Substrate concentration
Explain how increasing g temperature initially affects the rate of an enzyme-controlled reaction
As temperature umolecules have more KE so their movement increases
The probability of a successful collision increases
More enzyme-substrate complexes form
The rate of reaction increases
How does increasing temperature above the optimism affect the rate of an enzyme-controlled reaction?
The increased vibrations break bonds in the enzyme’s structure
The active site changes shape so the enzyme is denatured
No more enzyme-substrate complexes can form
The rate of reaction decreases
How does pH affect the rate of an enzyme-controlled reaction?
They have an optimum pH when it moves from that the bonds in the enzyme’s structure are altered so the enzyme is denatured and the rate of reaction decreases
How does substrate concentration affect the rate of an enzyme-controlled reaction?
Substrate concentration increases
Number of substrate molecules in the same volume increases
Probability of a successful collision increases
More enzyme-substrate complexes form
Rate of reaction increases
Once all the active sites become full, the rate of reaction plateaus
How can the rate of an enzyme-controlled reaction be calculated when given a value for time?
Rate = 1/time
What are the units for rate?
S^-1
Why must large organic molecules be broken down into smaller, simpler molecules in the body?
Large molecules are too big to be absorbed across the surface of the gut wall
They are broken down into smaller molecules for absorption into the bloodstream
What type of molecules are proteins and carbohydrates?
Polymers
What are the monomers of carbohydrates?
Simple sugars
Which group of enzymes catalysed the breakdown of carbohydrates?
Carbohydrates
Which type of carbohydrase catalyses the breakdown of starch?
Amylase
What are the monomers of proteins?
Amino acids
Which type of enzyme catalysts the breakdown of proteins?
Proteases
What is the function of lipases?
Enzymes whichCatalyse the breakdown of lipids into fatty acids and glycerol
Why are small molecules synthesised into larger organic molecules in the body?
Large molecules are used for storage or to build structures
Which enzyme catalysts the formation of glycogen from glucose?
Glycogen synthase
How can the amount of energy contained in food be measured?
Using calorimetry
What is calorimetry?
A method of measuring the heat transform during a chemical reaction
Describe the method used to measure the amount of energy in a sample of food
- Add a set volume of water to a boiling tube, record initial temperature
- Record mass of a small sample of food
- Stick the sample onto mounted needle
- Using a Bunsen burner light the food sample
- Hold the sample under the boiling tube until it burns up
- Record the maximum temperature reached by the water
- Record the final mass of the food sample
How can’t he amount of energy in the food sample be calculated?
Energy in food = mass of water x temperature change of water x 4.2
State the two types of cell
Eukaryotic and prokaryotic
What is the difference between a eukaryotic and prokaryotic cell?
A eukaryotic contains a nuclear study and membrane-bound organelles. A prokaryotic cell does not
List the components of both plant and animal cells
Nucleus Cytoplasm Cell membrane Mitochondria Ribosomes
How is genetic information stored in a eukaryotic cell?
Within the nucleus, arranged in chromosomes
Other than storing genetic information, what is the function of the nucleus?
To control cellular activities
Describe the structure of the cytoplasm
Fluid component of the cell
Contains organelles, enzymes and dissolved ions and nutrients