Biological molecules - INORGANIC IONS/ATP/WATER Flashcards

1
Q

Na+:
Function
Site of presence
(size??)

A
  • Involved in generation of action potentials in nerves/involved in active transport of glucose and amino acids
  • Found in tissue fluid, plasma and cytoplasm
  • Approx 140mM
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2
Q

H+:
Function
Site of presence
(size??)

A
  • Concentration varies to maintain pH of body fluids
  • Found in tissue fluid, plasma and cytoplasm
  • Normal pH 7.4, approximately 4 x 10-5 mM)
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3
Q

Fe 2+:
Function
Site of presence
(size??)

A
  • Binds O2 for transport in blood
  • Mainly present in haemoglobin
  • 10-30ΞΌm
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4
Q

PO4 3-:
Function
Site of presence
(size??)

A

-Part of DNA and ATP
- Low concentration in tissue fluid, higher concentration in cells
- Approx 1.0mM in tissue fluid

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5
Q

What is the structure of ATP?

A
  • Adenine
  • Ribose sugar
  • 3 phosphate groups
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6
Q

What is the structure of ADP?

A
  • Adenine
  • Ribose
  • 2 phosphate groups
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7
Q

How is ATP synthesised?

A
  • Condensation reaction
  • Addition of an inorganic phosphate to ADP
  • Catalysed by ATP synthase
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8
Q

What are the products of ATP hydrolysis?

A

ADP + Pi (inorganic phosphate)

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9
Q

Why is ATP referred to as an immediate energy source?

A
  • Each ATP molecule release less, more manageable amounts of energy than glucose
  • Hydrolysis of ATP to ADP is a single, fast reaction
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10
Q

Where are you likely to find the most mitochondria?

A
  • Cells that are constantly respiring
  • Eg. Muscle fibres and epithelial cells
  • Require energy for movement and active transport
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11
Q

Name some processes which require ATP

A
  • Metabolic processes
  • Movement
  • Active transport
  • Secretion
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12
Q

What is the structure of a water molecule?

A

2 hydrogens bonded to 1 oxygen

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13
Q

Why is water a polar molecule?

A

Oxygen is slightly more electronegative, creating a dipole

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14
Q

Why is water cohesive?

A

Ability to form hydrogen bonds between molecules

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15
Q

Explain the specific heat capacity of water and why it’s useful for water based organisms?

A
  • Because water is cohesive, high amounts of energy are needed to break forces of attraction
  • Buffers sudden temperature changes, maintaining constant temperature
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16
Q

Explain the large latent heat of vaporisation of water and why it’s a useful property?

A
  • Lots of energy required to break hydrogen bonding to allow 1g of water to evaporate
  • Effective way to lose heat eg. sweating
17
Q

Why is water described as a metabolite?

A
  • Can be used in metabolic reactions, such as hydrolysis
18
Q

Explain 3 properties of water that makes it useful for plant organisms

A
  • Large latent heat of vaporisation: Cools plants and controls temperature to prevent enzymes denaturing
  • Not easily compressed: Provides rigidity
  • Transparent: Allows light to pass through it, good for photosynthesis