Metabolism & Bioenergetics
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Questions and Answers

What is the overall reaction catalyzed by fatty acid synthetases?

Fatty Acid + ATP + CoA → Fatty Acyl-CoA + AMP + PPi

Which enzyme prevents the Right to Left reaction in the conversion of fatty acids to fatty acyl-CoA?

  • Pyrophosphatase (correct)
  • ATPase
  • Fatty Acyl-CoA Synthetase
  • Nucleotidyl Transferase
  • Oxidation is the gain of electrons.

    False

    What does a positive DEo indicate in a redox reaction?

    <p>It indicates that the reaction is thermodynamically favorable.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The Nernst equation relates free energy difference to the difference in ____________ potentials.

    <p>reduction</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Calculate the free energy change (DG'o) for the redox reaction between the NAD/NADH, H+ couple and the Ferredoxin (+3)/Ferredoxin (+2) couple.

    <p>-5.15 kcal/mol</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements is true regarding the reduction potential?

    <p>It is an intensive property of a molecule.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Write the balanced redox reaction using NAD+/NADH and Ferredoxin.

    <p>2 Ferredoxin (+2) + NAD+ → NADH + H+ + 2 Ferredoxin (+3)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the form of Gibb’s equation that expresses free energy change?

    <p>DG = DH - TDS</p> Signup and view all the answers

    A positive standard free energy change (ΔGº′) indicates a spontaneous reaction.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    One food calorie is equivalent to _____ chemical calories.

    <p>1000</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is indicated by the Gibbs free energy change equation G′ = ΔGº′ + RT ln Q?

    <p>The overall free energy change is a function of both the standard free energy change and the actual product/reactant ratio.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following are considered high energy metabolites? (Select all that apply)

    <p>Phosphocreatine</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main reason for the complexity in intermediary metabolism?

    <p>Biological life cannot handle large amounts of energy released in one step; energy is released slowly over many chemical steps.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following food types with their caloric values (kcal/g):

    <p>Fats = 9 Carbohydrates = 4 Proteins = 4 Alcohol = 7</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Catabolism is energy-consuming while anabolism is energy-yielding.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main role of feedback inhibition in metabolic pathways?

    <p>To prevent the unnecessary production of metabolites by regulating enzyme activity.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Learning Objectives

    • Formulate Gibb's equation to express free energy change in terms of reactant and product concentrations.
    • Define chemical equilibrium and relate Keq values to reactant and product energies.
    • Identify conditions for spontaneous reactions defined by positive standard free energy change (ΔGº′).
    • Calculate nutritional values of food based on carbohydrate, fat, and protein content.
    • Distinguish between catabolism (energy-yielding) and anabolism (energy-consuming) processes.
    • Explain significance of additive nature of free energy changes in metabolic reactions.
    • Define “high energy metabolite” and list products formed from ATP cleavage.
    • Use reduction potentials and Nernst equation to deduce electron flow direction in redox reactions.

    Thermodynamics and Gibbs Equation

    • First Law of Thermodynamics: Energy is conserved; it cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed.
    • Gibbs Free Energy (ΔG): Indicates the spontaneity of a reaction; ΔG = Gproducts - Greactants. Spontaneous reactions have negative ΔG.
    • Modified Gibbs Equation: ΔG' = ΔGº′ + RT ln Q; utilizes Q (product/reactant ratio) and standard free energy change (ΔGº′).
    • Equilibrium Constant (Keq): Relates free energy to product and reactant concentrations; Keq = e^(-ΔGº′/RT).

    Chemical Equilibrium

    • Equilibrium Defined: A dynamic balance in energy distribution between reactants and products.
    • Keq Interpretation:
      • Keq = 1: Reactants and products have equal energy (ΔGº′ = 0).
      • Keq < 1: Products have higher energy than reactants, requiring energy input (ΔGº′ > 0).
      • Keq > 1: Reactants have higher energy than products, spontaneous with energy release (ΔGº′ < 0).

    Food Energetics

    • Caloric Values:
      • Fats: 9 kcal/g
      • Carbohydrates: 4 kcal/g
      • Proteins: 4 kcal/g
      • Alcohol: 7 kcal/g

    Metabolic Pathways

    • Intermediary Metabolism: Series of chemical reactions managing cellular materials and energy resources.
    • Anabolic vs. Catabolic Pathways:
      • Anabolic: Builds complex molecules, energy-consuming, diverging pathways.
      • Catabolic: Breaks down molecules, energy-yielding, converging pathways.

    Enzyme Function and Pathway Directionality

    • Metabolic pathways are directionally irreversible, typically involving unique enzymes for each step.
    • The end product has minimal resemblance to the starting material, distinguishing catabolic and anabolic pathways.

    Free Energy Change in Metabolism

    • Additive Nature of Free Energy Changes: Cells can couple endergonic and exergonic reactions to drive biological processes.
    • Example: Glucose phosphorylation coupled with ATP hydrolysis illustrates combined energy changes.
    • TCA cycle showcases cumulative free energy changes leading to spontaneous reactions despite individual step favorability.

    Energy Sources and Metabolism

    • Hydrocarbons (fats, proteins, carbohydrates) serve as primary energy substrates in metabolism.
    • Similar to combustion engines, exothermic oxidation of hydrocarbons releases energy for cellular work.

    These notes summarize essential concepts and details relating to metabolism and bioenergetics, preparing students to understand fundamental biochemical processes.### Energy Release in Metabolism

    • Combustion engines utilize the energy from hydrocarbons reacting with oxygen, but biological systems release energy gradually through multiple chemical steps.
    • Direct oxidation of glucose (656 kcal/mol) and fatty acids (2338 kcal/mol) is too intense for biological life; instead, energy is released in small increments (10-15 kcal/mol).

    Energy Conversion Process

    • Dietary nutrients provide energy in reducing equivalents (e- and H+) that feed into carrier molecules, ultimately transferring to oxygen.
    • Approximately 60% of energy lost as heat, 40% conserved as ATP (adenosine triphosphate).

    Importance of Activated Intermediates

    • Molecules must be converted to activated intermediates for biochemical reactions, requiring 2-3 steps for activation.
    • ATP hydrolysis is highly exergonic (ΔG°' = -7.3 kcal/mol) but concentrations remain low, necessitating regulatory mechanisms to maintain ATP levels above equilibrium.

    Energy Charge and Metabolism

    • High ATP/NADH ratios indicate a high-energy charge favoring anabolism; low ratios favor catabolism.
    • Feedback inhibition regulates enzyme activity, preventing unnecessary production of metabolic intermediates.

    Role of Nucleotide Triphosphates (NTPs)

    • NTPs consist of a nitrogen base, ribose, and three phosphates linked by phosphoanhydride bonds.
    • Hydrolysis of ATP releases significant energy (-7.3 kcal/mol) but ATP is not the highest energy metabolite.

    Hierarchy of High-Energy Metabolites

    • Hydrolysis free energy of key metabolites:
      • Phosphoenolpyruvate: -14.8 kcal/mol
      • Phosphocreatine: -12.0 kcal/mol
      • 1,3-bisphosphoglycerate: -11.8 kcal/mol
      • ATP: -7.3 kcal/mol
    • The highest energy metabolites drive endergonic reactions and include substrate-level phosphorylation.

    Phosphoryl Transfer Reactions

    • Enzymes involved in phosphoryl transfer:
      • NTP Hydrolase: Transfers between NTP and water.
      • NTP Kinase: Transfers between NTP and other molecules.
      • Nucleotidyl Transferase: Transfers nucleotidyl groups between NTP and other molecules.

    Activation of Metabolites

    • Fatty acid activation is a two-step reaction involving ATP and CoA, leading to the formation of fatty acyl-CoA, a high-energy metabolite.
    • The irreversible nature of conversion is maintained by pyrophosphatases which cleave pyrophosphate (PPi).

    Redox Reactions and Energy Flow

    • Oxidation (electron loss) releases energy; reduction (electron gain) consumes energy.
    • Standard reduction potential (E°) indicates the affinity of a metabolite for electrons, determining the direction of redox reactions.

    Calculating Free Energy Changes

    • The Nernst equation relates free energy to reduction potentials of redox pairs; a positive free energy change indicates a thermodynamically favored reaction.
    • Example calculations illustrate the balancing of redox reactions using regenerative potential values of various couples, such as NAD/NADH and ferredoxin.

    Practical Applications

    • The interplay of NTPs in cellular processes ensures energy transfer to carry out essential biological functions, emphasizing the complex nature of metabolic pathways.

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    Description

    Understanding Gibbs' equation, chemical equilibrium, and equilibrium constants in bioenergetics and metabolism.

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