BSC2010 Lecture 13 Review

These flashcards summarize key concepts from the BSC2010 Lecture 13, covering important processes, definitions, and mechanisms relevant to cellular biology.

Allosteric Regulation

Regulation of enzyme activity through the binding of molecules at sites other than the active site, often involving phosphorylation.

Phosphorylation

The addition of a phosphate group to an amino acid residue (serine, threonine, or tyrosine) by a protein kinase, altering enzyme activity.

Primary Active Transport

The process of moving ions or molecules across a membrane against their concentration gradient, requiring energy, often through a pump like the sodium-potassium pump.

Gibbs Free Energy (G)

A thermodynamic quantity that indicates the spontaneity of a process; negative G indicates an exergonic reaction, while positive G indicates an endergonic reaction.

Enzyme Catalysis

The acceleration of a chemical reaction by a substance (enzyme) that lowers the activation energy required for the reaction.

Hydrolysis

A chemical reaction that involves the breakdown of a compound by the addition of water, often releasing energy.

Signal Transduction

The process by which a chemical or physical signal is transmitted through a cell as a series of molecular events, leading to a cellular response.

Cascading Events in Signal Transduction

A series of reactions triggered by a signal that amplify the response and disseminate it throughout the cell.

Chemiosmosis

The movement of ions across a selectively permeable membrane, down their electrochemical gradient, to generate ATP.

Electron Transport Chain

A series of protein complexes and other molecules that transfer electrons from electron donors to electron acceptors via redox reactions.