Additional Science (Route 2): Unit 6 Flashcards
(148 cards)
What is a gene?
A gene is a section of DNA, coding for one characteristic
What is a gamete and what do they carry?
Gametes are the sex cells (e.g. sperm and egg), which carry genetic information
What is glycogen?
Some glucose is stored as glycogen (in liver / muscle)
During vigorous exercise glycogen is converted back into glucose to provide more energy
What are the sex chromosomes in humans?
X and Y
All men have XY and all women have XX
What is a catalyst?
A catalyst increases the rate of a reaction without being used up
Why are enzymes called biological catalysts?
Biological – from a living organism
Catalyst – increase the rate of reaction without being used up
What are enzymes and how do they work?
Enzymes are biological catalysts – they are protein molecules made up of long chains of amino acids
Enzymes work as a lock and a key – the protein chains have a special shape, which enables other molecules to fit into the enzyme
What happens to enzyme function as the temperature is increased?
At warm temperatures (40ºC) enzymes work faster due to the particles moving faster
At hotter temperatures (>60ºC) the enzymes start to denature (they lose their shape and cannot work any longer)
What pH would you expect enzymes in these areas of the body to work best at?
Mouth
Stomach
Small intestine
Mouth = pH 7
Stomach = pH 2
Small intestine = pH 8/9
What is the difference between aerobic and anaerobic respiration?
Aerobic respiration – uses oxygen
Anaerobic respiration – does not use oxygen
What is the equation for aerobic respiration?
C6H12O6 + 602 → 6CO2 + 6H2O + Energy
Where in a cell does aerobic respiration take place?
Within the mitochondria
What can different organisms use the energy released by respiration for?
- Build up large molecules using smaller ones
- In animals it allows muscles to contract
- In mammals and birds it maintains a steady body temperature
- In plants it allows for the build up of sugars, nitrates and other nutrients into amino acids (which are then built into proteins)
Some enzymes work outside of the body cells – explain how this happens in the digestive system
Digestive system enzymes are produced by specialised cells in the glands and in the lining of the gut – the enzymes pass out of the cell into the gut where they digest larger food molecules into smaller ones
Give 3 examples of processes, which are catalysed by enzymes within living cells
Respiration
Protein synthesis
Photosynthesis
Where is the enzyme amylase produced, and what does it break down?
In the mouth (converting starch to sugars)
Where is the enzyme protease produced, and what does it break down?
In the stomach, pancreas and small intestine (converting proteins into amino acids)
Where is the enzyme lipase produced, and what does it break down?
In the pancreas and the small intestine (converting fats to fatty acids and glycerol)
What is the pH of the stomach?
Why is this?
pH 2 due to the hydrochloric acid produced by the stomach (to kill bacteria)
What is bile?
Where is it produced, and what pH is it?
An alkaline substance which helps with the breakdown of fats – produced in the liver (pH 11)
Why does the small intestine have a low alkaline pH?
Due to the combination of the stomach acid (pH 2) and the bile (pH 11)
How are enzymes used in the home?
Biological washing powder contain protein and fat digesting enzymes (proteases and lipases)
How are enzymes used in industry?
Proteases – used to pre-digest some baby foods
Carbohydrases – used to convert starch to sugar syrup
Isomerase – used to convert glucose syrup to the sweet fructose syrup (which can be used in smaller quantities, useful for slimming foods)
What is isomerase and what is it used for?
Isomerase is an enzyme, which converts glucose syrup into fructose syrup (much sweeter so can be used in smaller quantities) in slimming foods






















