Biochemistry : Biochemistry

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Biochemistry

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #21 : Electron Transport And Oxidative Phosphorylation

Which of the following is false about the structure and function of ATP synthase?

Possible Answers:

It is a membrane-bound protein.

At least 10 protons pass through ATP synthase in order to make a molecule of ATP.

It synthesizes over 100 ATP molecules per second.

The rotor has 10 to 14 subunits.

There are six subunits in its ring.

Correct answer:

At least 10 protons pass through ATP synthase in order to make a molecule of ATP.

Explanation:

ATP synthase can indeed produce more than 100 ATP molecules per second, and in the process, it only requires a few -- three or four -- protons, per ATP. These protons pass down a gradient through the membrane. Hence, the protein is membrane-bound. The protons cause the rotor of 10-14 subunits to spin. The protein's head itself has six subunits, three of which have ADP binding and phosphate binding sites.

Example Question #891 : Biochemistry

What is the basic mechanism by which ATP synthase generates ATP in the mitochondria?

Possible Answers:

The formation of ATP is energetically favorable and does not require a synthase to be formed

ATP synthase uses energy from G-protein complexes to phosphorylate ADP to ATP

The high energy electrons from oxidative phosphorylation react with the separate components of ATP and drive them together by using ATP synthase

ATP synthase uses an electron gradient set up by oxidative phosphorylation to drive ATP synthesis

The proton gradient set up by the electron transport chain causes mechanical rotation of ATP synthase, and this energy is used to form ATP

Correct answer:

The proton gradient set up by the electron transport chain causes mechanical rotation of ATP synthase, and this energy is used to form ATP

Explanation:

The electron transport chain moves high energy electrons through its complexes in order to create a proton gradient across the mitochondrial inner membrane.  The ATP synthase then uses this gradient to pass hydrogen atoms through it.  Because this is a favorable movement, it can be coupled to unfavorable processes such as conversion of ADP to ATP.  

Example Question #22 : Electron Transport And Oxidative Phosphorylation

ATP synthase catalyzes which of the following reactions?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

ATP synthase catalyzes the reaction that shows ADP and the phosphate group forming ATP.  The hydrogen in the reactant side is the one involved in the proton gradient, and water is a byproduct of the reaction.

Example Question #4 : Atp Synthase

Which of the following part(s) of ATP synthase is involved in catalysis?

Possible Answers:

Beta subunit

Alpha and beta subunits

Alpha, beta, and gamma subunits

Alpha subunit

Gamma subunit 

Correct answer:

Beta subunit

Explanation:

ATP synthase is located in the inner mitochondrial membrane. It has an F0 portion within the membrane and an F1 portion in the matrix. The F1 portion has a hexameric ring structure and is responsible for the creation of ATP from mechanical energy. The alpha, beta, and gamma subunits are all parts of the F1 portion of ATP synthase, however it is only the alpha and beta subunits that form the ring. Further, the beta subunit is the part of the ring that is considered to be catalytic.

Example Question #891 : Biochemistry

Below are standard reduction potentials of components in carbohydrate metabolism 

 

 

What is the free energy change for this reaction?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

First, let's consider the half reactions involved to determine 

This overall reaction involves the donation of 2 electrons, so

 is defined as . The reaction we drew earlier is shown below:

We can see that  was oxidized and  was reduced. Find .

 is Faraday's constant, and is defined as: 

Solve for 

 

Example Question #892 : Biochemistry

Which of the following processes involved in cellular respiration has a positive Gibbs Free energy?

Possible Answers:

The movement of hydrogens through ATP synthase

The final step in glycolysis

The movement of the electrons through the electron transport chain

The combination of oxaloacetate and acetyl-CoA to form citrate in the Kreb's cycle

The pumping of hydrogens from the mitochondrial matrix to the intermembrane space

Correct answer:

The pumping of hydrogens from the mitochondrial matrix to the intermembrane space

Explanation:

A positive Gibbs free energy implies that the process in question should be unfavorable under normal conditions.  The only process listed that is unfavorable and requires an input of energy is the pumping of hydrogen ions into the intermembrane space.  This occurs during the electron transport chain.

Example Question #1 : Oxidative Phosphorylation Energetics

In what phase of cellular respiration is not ATP produced?

Possible Answers:

Every phase of cellular respiration produces some ATP

Glycolysis

Pyruvate dehydrogenase complex

Krebs cycle

Electron transport chain

Correct answer:

Pyruvate dehydrogenase complex

Explanation:

The phases of cellular respiration are glycolysis, pyruvate dehydrogenase complex, Krebs cycle, electron transport chain. Glycolysis produces a net total of 2 ATP, the Krebs cycle produces 1 GTP that is converted to ATP in another process, and the electron transport chain is where almost all of the ATP made in cellular respiration is formed. However, during the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex phase of cellular respiration, pyruvate is converted to acetyl-CoA as a preparation for the Krebs cycle, but no ATP is created.

Example Question #891 : Biochemistry

A drug is introduced into cells that affects the mechanics of the electron transport chain. Specifically, this drug completely inhibits the flow of electrons through the electron transport chain and also completely halts the synthesis of ATP. Which of the following drugs is capable of doing this, and how is it accomplished?

Possible Answers:

Methotrexate, which acts as a competitive inhibitor of dihydrofolate reductase

Allopurinol, which acts as a suicide inhibitor of xanthine oxidase

Dinitrophenol, which acts as a proton uncoupler by shuttling protons across the inner mitochondrial membrane

Oligomycin, which inhibits ATP synthase

Cyanide, which inhibits the activity of cytochrome C oxidase

Correct answer:

Cyanide, which inhibits the activity of cytochrome C oxidase

Explanation:

The correct answer is cyanide. This compound acts to inhibit cytochrome C oxidase, otherwise known as Complex IV of the electron transport chain. By inhibiting this complex, cyanide effectively halts the flow of electrons through the chain. Consequently, protons are not able to be pumped from the matrix to the intermembrane space and thus, a proton gradient cannot be established. Without a proton gradient, protons will not flow through ATP synthase, hence no ATP will be produced.

Oligomycin, on the other hand, acts to inhibit ATP synthase, which means that ATP will not be able to be produced. However, electrons are still able to flow through the chain, which means that protons are still able to be pumped across the inner membrane.

Dinitrophenol is a relatively nonpolar compound that is able to situate itself into the inner mitochondrial membrane. In doing so, it is able to dissipate the proton gradient by allowing protons to essentially be transported from the intermembrane space to the matrix without traversing through ATP synthase. Even though protons can still flow through ATP synthase to generate ATP in this scenario, the proton gradient won't be nearly as potent because they now have an alternative route to the matrix.

Methotrexate acts to competitively inhibit the enzyme known as dihydrofolate reductase. This enzyme has nothing to do with the electron transport chain, and thus will have no effect on ATP synthesis. Commonly, this drug is used as an anti-cancer agent because its substrate, dihydrofolate, is a compound that is used in the syntheis of thymine nucleotides for DNA synthesis. Inhibiting dihydrofolate reductase effectively reduces the production of thymine, which can negatively impact DNA replication in rapidly dividing cancer cells.

Likewise, allopurinol has nothing to do with the electron transport chain. This drug acts as an inhibitor of the enzyme xanthine oxidase, which is responsible for synthesizing uric acid. High levels of uric acid can lead to the development of gout, and thus, this drug is typically used to help treat people suffering from gout.

Example Question #2 : Other Electron Transport Chain Concepts

Which of the following is an inhibitor of the inner mitochondrial proton gradient?

Possible Answers:

Fructose 2,6-biphosphate

Oligomycin

Dinitrophenol

Rotenone

Potassium cyanide

Correct answer:

Dinitrophenol

Explanation:

Potassium cyanide inhibits cellular respiration by acting on mitochondrial cytochrome c reductase (leading to hypoxia and death). Rotenone also affects oxidative phosphorylation, by inhibiting electron transfer from cytochrome 1 to ubiquinone, making it a potent insecticide. Oligomycin inhibits ATP synthase, also slowing flow of the electron transport chain. Fructose 2,6-biphosphate affects the activity of enzymes regulating glycolysis and gluconeogenesis. Dinitrophenol dissipates the proton gradient across mitochondrial membranes, and shuttles protons across them, inhibiting ATP production. 

Example Question #101 : Carbohydrate Metabolism

Suppose that a scientist is simultaneously measuring both the amount of oxygen and the amount of glucose that is being used by cells. If a chemical were added that inhibited the electron transport chain, what would be expected to happen to the consumption of oxygen and glucose?

Possible Answers:

Both oxygen and glucose consumption decrease

Both oxygen and consumption will remain unchanged

Oxygen consumption increases while glucose consumption decreases

Both oxygen and glucose consumption increase

Oxygen consumption decreases while glucose consumption increases

Correct answer:

Oxygen consumption decreases while glucose consumption increases

Explanation:

Aerobic respiration is a process that utilizes the electron transport chain in order to oxidize glucose into energy. If a chemical were added that inhibited the electron transport chain, the cell would no longer be able to fully oxidize glucose. Therefore, oxygen consumption will decrease. Furthermore, since the cell is now in a situation in which it is not able to make as much energy per glucose molecule as before, it will need to increase its consumption of glucose in order to generate enough energy through anaerobic respiration alone.

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors