1. Maintaining A Balence Flashcards
(117 cards)
Describe the role of enzymes in metabolism
Enzymes are necessary for all metabolic reactions. They increase the speed of a reaction by lowering the ‘activation energy’, thus requiring less energy for the reaction to occur.
Identify why enzymes have specifity on substrates
The shape of the active site is specific to a certain substrate, referred to as ‘molecular recognition’.
Describe how enzymes are formed.
Enzymes are a type of protein. They are formed by a long polypeptide chain (anime acids in a specific sequence, bound by peptide bonds) which forms a 3D object
Describe the two different types of metabolic reactions involving enzymes
- Catabolic pathway: breaking down of complex molecule into simpler molecules
- Anabolic pathway: building up of simple molecules into complex molecules
Identify and describe the two different models which show specificity on substances
Lock and key model: the active site is exactly the same shape as the substrate
Induced fit model: active site is slightly different shape to substrate, so changes its shape
Define: co-factors
Small, inorganic molecules that help enzymes to act (not necessary)
Define: co-enzymes
organic molecules that usually bind to the active site (necessary)
Describe what amylase 1 catalyses and where in the body
Amylase 1 catalyses the conversion of starch to maltose in the mouth (pH 7)
Describe what protease catalyses and where in the body
Protease catalyses the conversion of proteins into peptides in the stomach (pH 1-2)
Describe what lipase catalyses and where in the body
Lipases catalyses the conversion of lipids into fatty acids and glycerol in the pancreas and small intestine
Describe what amylase 2 catalyses and where in the body
Amylase 2 catalyses the conversion of starch into disaccharides and trisaccharides in the pancreas
What affects the acidity of a substance?
The presence of hydrogen ions
Why can organisms only tolerate a narrow range of hydrogen ions concentrations?
pH denatures outside of optimal level
Explain why cells contribute most of their energy to maintaining _____?
Cells contribute most of their energy to maintain constant internal conditions.
This is because metabolic reactions can only occur waiting a narrow range of conditions. Outside of these conditions, the optimal efficiency of enzymes is decreased, either due to the slowing down or denaturing of enzymes.
Define: homeostasis
The maintenance of a relatively stable internal environment
Describe homeostasis and outline how it works
Homeostasis is a dynamic state as it attempts to maintain a stable internal environment despite a constantly changing external environment. It achieves this by activating internal control mechanisms to responded to internal changes as a result of external influences.
Identify the two major stages of homeostasis
- Detaching changes from the stable state
2. Counteracting changes from the stable state
Identify the three functional components of a homeostatic control mechanism
- A receptor: detects changes
- A control centre: process information received (ie. hypothalamic in brain)
- An effector: has an effect on stimulus
Outline the 7 steps involved in a homeostatic response
- Stimulus in environment
- Receptors detect stimuli
- Sensory nerves conduct impulses to Connecter nerves
- Connector nerves transmit impulses the brain
- Hypothalamus coordinates a response
- Motor neurones transmit impulse to effector cells
- Effectors counteract stimulus
Outline the role of the nervous system in detecting and responding to environmental changes (homeostasis)
The role of the nervous system is to carry impulses throughout the body. Different cells in homeostasis transmit information throughout the body, which is facilitated by the nervous system.
Explain why life can only exist in a narrow range of conditions.
Life can only exist in a narrow range as enzymes (metabolic catalysts) are temperature sensitive. They thus denature when outside the optimal temperature range.
When temperatures are too low, the phospholipid layer can free and when temperatures are too high, the DNA double helix splits.
Describe how aquatic and terrestrial ectotherms respond to temperature change to assist in temperature regulation.
Ectotherms warm their body by absorbing heat.
Aquatic: no need as environment has little temperature variation.
Terrestrial: Netted Dragon lies in sun to absorb heat, lies flat to increase SA exposed to sun. Alpine Grasshopper colour changes from blue to black.
Describe how aquatic and terrestrial endotherms respond to temperature change to assist in temperature regulation.
Endotherms derive body heat from metabolism, thus requiring large amounts of energy.
Aquatic: Australian Fur Seal uses ‘counter-current heat exchange’ as heat is transferred from the arteries to the veins to maintain heat in the extremities.
Terrestrial: Red Kangaroo decreases physical activity (lowering metabolic rate), seeks shelter, has pale fur and thick to create insulation.
Identify some responses of plants to temperature change
Temperature controls germination, growing season, flowering and seed dispersal.
Plants will close stomates above 30 degrees Celsius (when closed, heat-shock portends are used as a protective coating for enzymes)
Native plants will respond by flowering or germinating after fire.
In cold temps, plants will becomes dormant.
Plant seeds germinate over a wide renege of temps, but are specific to each variety (enzyme specificity).