Exam 2. Biochemistry.

Relate and define the terms “enzyme” and “catalyst”, recognize that an enzyme is a binding protein that also catalyzes a reaction.

catalyst: a substance that participates in a reaction wiout being consumed (emerges in its original form)
enzyme: a catalyst (typically a protein) that increases the rate of chemical reactions in living systems

Differentiate between cofactor, coenzyme and prosthetic group

coenzyme: a small organic molecule that is required for the catalytic activity of an enzyme
cofactor: a small organic molecule (coenzyme) or metal ion that is required for the catalytic activity of an enzyme
prosthetic group: an organic group (like a coenzyme) that is permanently associeated with a protein

List and describe the six internationally recognized enzymes types.

1. oxidoreductases: transfers e- or H+ from one molecule to another (oxidation-reduction reactions)

2. transferases: moving functional group from one molecule to another (group transfer)

3. hydrolases: transfer of functional group to water; catabolic hydrolysis (hydrolysis reactions)

4. lyases: group elimination to form double bonds

5. isomerases: rearrangement of atoms within a molecule (isomerization reactions)

6. ligases: bond formatio coupled with ATP hyrolysis (anabolic)

Describe the lock and key model and the induced fit model of substrate binding and differentiate between them.

lock-and-key model: substrates fit enzymes like a key in a lock
induced fit model: substrates actually fit enzymes like a hand in a glove

Describe how enzymes catalyze reactions by stabilizing transition states (lowering activation energy) both in words and in free-energy diagrams.

the enzyme binds to the transition state of a substrate, stabilizing it, ensuring it is in the right position to react, and bringing reacting parts closer together to increase collisions. This lowers the activation energy as seen in free-energy diagrams.

Describe the mechanisms enzymes use to stabilize transition states (acid-base catalysis, covalent catalysis, metal ion catalysis)

acid-base catalysis: a H+ is transfered between the enzyme and substrate to form transition state(catalyst acts as an acid/base)
covalent catalysis: cobalent bond forms between catalyst and substrate during transition state formation (catalyst acts as a nucleophile, electron-rich group wanting an electrophile)
metal ion catalysis: metal ions participate in enzymatic reactions

Understand that amino acid side-chains at the active site also impact enzyme catalysis, and determine which amino acid side-chains can participate in catalysis.

Define active site and describe its properties

active site: the region of an enzyme in which catalysis takes place (typically found in a cleft with two domains (a pocket))

Outline the reaction catalyzed by chymotrypsin, explain the operation of chymotrypsin’s catalytic triad, define the oxyanion hole and its role in chymotrypsin catalysis

Define the term specificity pocket and describe how enzymes use specificity pockets to differentiate between potential substrates

Describe the mechanisms cells use to regulate protease activity

Describe how blood coagulation operates as a protease cascade

Describe how the rate (velocity) of an enzymatic reaction is measured/calculated

Describe and calculate “rate enhancement”.

Be able to define the rate equation for unimolecular and bimolecular reactions.

Know the Michaelis-Menten equation and relate it to the Michaelis-Menten plot, use the Michaelis-Menten equation to calculate kinetic parameters.

Derive key kinetic parameters (V_max and K_M) from Michaelis-Menten plots.

Define the meaning of the “steady state assumption” in Michaelis-Menten kinetics

Define what we mean when we say an enzyme is “saturated” and describe the circumstances under which an enzyme is saturated.

Explain the meaning and physiological significance of V_max and K_M

Describe and calculate k_cat (turnover number), describe what it can tell you about an enzyme.

Explain the use of k_cat/K_M (specificity constant) to measure the efficiency of an enzyme.

Describe the relationship between the Michaelis-Menten equation and the Lineweaver-Burke equation.

Be able to use the Lineweaver-Burk plot to determine key kinetic parameters (V_max and K_M).

Describe the circumstances under which Michaelis-Menten kinetics are not applicable

Describe and differentiate between competitive and non-competitive, reversible and irreversible enzyme inhibition as well as feedback inhibition.

Understand how K_M and V_max change based on the nature of inhibitors.

Define “transition state analog” and describe why they are effective inhibitors/drugs.

Define/describe allosteric regulation the terms “positive effector” and “negative effector”

Relate lipid structure to amphipathic behavior, explain why amphipathic molecules tend to form micelles and bilayers when mixed with water.

Describe the general structure of a fatty acid, differentiate between saturated and unsaturated fatty acids.

Show esterification reactions between glycerol and fatty acid(s) leading to formation of either monoacylglycerol, diacylglycerol, or triacylglycerol; define the function(s) of triacylglycerols

Give the general structure of the glycerophospholipids, sphingolipids and glycolipids;  compare and contrast the functions of glycerophospholipids, sphingolipids, and glycolipids

Explain how cholesterol differs in structure and function from the other membrane lipids.

Describe some of the roles of lipids in the cell, outside of the formation of lipid bilayers

Explain why lateral diffusion within a “leaflet” of a lipid bilayer is relatively easy while movement between “leaflets” in the bilayer is difficult.

Define what is meant by “membrane fluidity”, and describe the primary factors contributing to the fluidity of membranes.

Differentiate between peripheral membrane proteins, integral membrane proteins and lipid-linked proteins.

Describe the methods hydrophilic proteins use to be able to interact with the hydrophobic core of lipid bilayers.

Explain what is meant by the “fluid-mosaic model” of lipid bilayers.

Define and describe the proteins used to passively transport molecules/ions through the lipid bilayer (porins, aquaporins, ion channels, gated channels, mechanosensitive channels, transport proteins)

Describe how proteins can move ions/molecules against their concentration gradient (active transport); describe the specific mechanism of the Na/K-ATPase