Untitled Flashcards Set

What are the three main properties of water?

Water is relatively buoyant, viscous, and has good thermal conductivity.

Where does evidence suggest water on Earth originated from?

Comets and asteroids, based on the hydrogen to deuterium ratio.

What does the Goldilocks zone imply regarding planets?

It implies that a planet is in a perfect state for life to occur.

What are the three main purposes of carbohydrates?

Quick energy, structure, and energy storage.

What is the primary difference between cellulose and glycogen?

Cellulose is made up of beta-glucose, while glycogen is made up of alpha-glucose.

What kind of bonds are formed in amylose and cellulose?

Glycosidic bonds formed between carbon 1-4.

What are the main functions of lipids?

Energy storage, protection of internal organs, thermal insulation, buoyancy, hormones, and cell membrane structure.

How much energy do lipids have compared to carbohydrates?

Lipids have twice as much energy as carbohydrates.

What are the characteristics of cis-isomers compared to trans-isomers?

Cis-isomers are more common, loosely packed, and liquid at room temperature; trans fats are the opposite.

What are the functions of proteins?

Structure, energy, movement, defense, storage, cell communication, carriers, and transport.

How many different amino acids are known?

There are 20 different amino acids.

What is the difference between fibrous and globular proteins?

Fibrous proteins are long and narrow, structural, less sensitive to changes, and insoluble, while globular proteins are round, functional, more sensitive to changes, and generally soluble.

What is the role of enzymes in chemical reactions?

Enzymes increase activation energy and help trigger chemical reactions.

How do enzymes decrease activation energy?

By binding to the substrate and weakening/stressing bonds, thus lowering energy levels within the transition state.

What are exergonic reactions?

Reactions that release energy, such as digestion and hydrolysis.

What does denaturation of an enzyme mean?

The enzyme loses its shape due to high temperature or extreme pH, affecting its ability to function.

What are effectors that affect enzyme activity?

Temperature, pH, activators (cofactors), and inhibitors.

What is the difference between competitive and non-competitive inhibitors?

Competitive inhibitors bind to the active site, while non-competitive inhibitors bind to an allosteric site.

What is feedback inhibition in metabolic pathways?

The final product of a pathway inhibits an earlier step to regulate the process.