Biomolecules
The role of nucleic acids
To carry the instructions for production of amino acids
The difference between simple and facilitated diffusion
Simple involves molecules crossing the membrane down gradient unassisted, while facilitated requires the use of a transport protein
Activation energy and the impact of enzymes
The E required to start a reaction, enzymes lower this to catalyze (speed up) reactions
Mechanical digestion: definition and two examples
physically breaking down food; mouth (chewing) stomach (churning)
The function of oxygen in the body
The final electron acceptor in the electron transport chain, allowing the whole process to happen
The distinction between starch and glycogen
Starch is found in plants and is a straight glucose chain, glycogen is found in animals and is a branching glucose chain
The function of the semi-permeable plasma membrane
To allow some molecules to cross with ease while others require specific circumstances/to maintain concentration gradients
The effects of temperature and pH on enzyme function
At high temperature or wrong pH, proteins (enzymes) denature
The pharyngeal phase of swallowing (what happens?)
The phase wherein the soft palate elevates and blocks the nasopharynx, the epiglottis & pharyngeal muscles block larynx, and the esophageal sphincter opens
Functions of NADH and FADH2
Electron carriers to deliver electrons to the electron transport chain
The four major types of lipids
Eicosanoids, Waxes, Phospholipids, and Steroids
The effect of hypertonic, hypotonic, and isotonic solutions on cells
Hypertonicity: Water leaves the cell, which shrinks
Isotonic: no net water movement
Hypotonicity: water enters the cell, which swells
Pepsin: location, purpose, and ideal pH environment
Stomach, breakdown of proteins, pH1.5-2
The roles of parietal cells, chief cells, and acini cells
Secretion of HCl, secretion of Pepsin, secretion of most digestive enzymes: Trypsin and Chymotrypsin, lipase, pancreatic amylase, bicarbonate
The conditions wherein pyruvate is converted to lactic acid & why
Anaerobic conditions: with no oxygen, the ETC cannot receive electrons from NADH, causing pyruvate to be reduced into lactic acid
Three differences between DNA and RNA
Difference between primary and secondary active transport
Both moving against [gradient], but primary AT uses energy from ATP directly while secondary AT uses power from molecules moving down [g] to move a molecule up it's [g] (ex Na/glucose)
The purpose of the induced-fit model of substrate binding
Both the enzyme's active site and the substrate slightly change shape to fit perfectly, creating a more precise fit
The structures which increase surface area in the small intestine
Plicae -> villi -> micovilli
The four major steps in cellular metabolism, the location of the process in the cell, and the net outcome at each step
Glycolysis (cytoplasm): 2ATP, 2NADH, 2 pyruvate
Mitochondria:
Pyruvate Oxidation: CO2, 2NADH, acetyl CoA
Krebs Cycle/Citric Acid Cycle: 2ATP, 6NADH, 2FADH2
Oxidative Phosphorylation (ETC): ~34ATP, H2O
The reaction type responsible for converting a disaccharide into two monosaccharides, and the inverse reaction type
Hydrolysis (addition of H2O) and dehydration synthesis (removal of H2O)
The membrane potential: definition and cause
The electrochemical difference between the cellular and extracellular sides of the plasma membrane
Maintained by Na+/K+ pump and K+ leak channels, plus the inability of ions to cross the membrane without ion channels creates negative internal environment
The relationship of substrate concentration to enzyme reaction rate, and relation of Km
Enzyme reaction rate increases with substrate concentration until Vmax (all active sites engaged, maximum V of rxn), Km describes enzyme affinity for substrate based on rxn rate at 1/2Vmax (lowKm->high affinity & inverse)
Six functional processes of the liver
Produces Bile
Converts, stores, & releases nutrients
Detoxification
Protein Synthesis
Lipid Handling
Vitamin & Mineral Storage
The 3 biomolecule metabolism paths which Acetyl-CoA serves a key role in
TCA cycle, fatty acid/cholesterol synthesis, and ketone body formation