Biochemistry : Biological Energetics

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Biochemistry

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Example Questions

Example Question #57 : Homeostasis And The Biological Environment

Some reactions that occur within cells have a large, positive standard free energy change. How is it that these reactions are able to occur, given that they are so energetically unfavorable?

Possible Answers:

All of these are true

Oftentimes, the product of an endergonic reaction is readily used up in another reaction, thus keeping the concentration of product in the endergonic reaction low

The conditions found within cells are different than standard conditions

These reactions are coupled with highly exergonic reactions

Correct answer:

All of these are true

Explanation:

All of the answer choices given in this question are true statements, and they are all reasons why endergonic reactions can occur within living things.

Oftentimes, reactions that require a large input of energy are thermodynamically coupled to the hydrolysis of ATP, the energy currency of the cell. As a result, ATP is able to provide the fuel, so to speak, for powering the reaction.

Also, it's important to note that standard free energy changes are much different than the free energy changes that occur under physiological conditions. Standard state assumes that all reactants and all products of a reaction start out at a concentration of , but this concentration is absurdly high for just about any compound found within cells.

Lastly, the products of some endergonic reactions are often used up quite readily. As a result of this, the concentration of product is kept at a low level, which means that the reactions becomes favored toward making more product.

Example Question #11 : Biological Energetics

Why is polymerization of nucleoside triphosphates thermodynamically favorable?

Possible Answers:

The polymerization of nucleoside triphosphates is not thermodynamically favorable, but it is kinetically favorable.

The polymerization is coupled to ATP hydrolysis.

During the polymerization, ATP is released from the nucleoside when the base is attached which, because it is creating energy, is favorable.

During the polymerization, one phosphate group is released and this drives the reaction forward.

During the polymerization, pyrophosphate is released and hydrolyzed driving the reaction forward.

Correct answer:

During the polymerization, pyrophosphate is released and hydrolyzed driving the reaction forward.

Explanation:

A nucleoside triphosphate - as its name suggests - is a DNA base with three phosphate groups. During polymerization, these base groups will be continuously connected to each other in order to form a DNA strand. This is thermodynamically favorable because during the polymerization, two of the three phosphate groups on the nucleoside triphosphate will detach as a pyrophosphate. This will then be hydrolyzed which is extremely thermodynamically favorable. And so, the polymerization itself is considered to be thermodynamically favorable.

Example Question #12 : Biological Energetics

Which of the following is false about the hemoglobin R state? 

Possible Answers:

The heme group is planar

It has a higher affinity for oxygen

It is more stable in the absence of oxygen

It is triggered by oxygen binding

It is more stable in the presence of oxygen

Correct answer:

It is more stable in the absence of oxygen

Explanation:

The R (relaxed) state hemoglobin is triggered by hemoglobin binding to oxygen. The heme group in R state hemoglobin is perfectly planar. By nature, R state hemoglobin is stabilized in the presence of oxygen, not in the absence of oxygen. 

Example Question #60 : Homeostasis And The Biological Environment

Suppose that the enthalpy change for a given biochemical reaction is zero. What is the change in standard free energy for this reaction?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

To answer this question, it's important to know how the standard free energy change of a reaction is related to other various parameters of the reaction.

The standard free energy change of a reaction can be presented in different expressions.

For the purposes of this question, the bottom expression is the one we need. If we set the change in standard enthalpy term equal to zero, we can solve for our answer.

Example Question #13 : Biological Energetics

The high energy found in a molecule of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is stored mostly in which type of bond?

Possible Answers:

Glycosidic

Amide

Phosphoanhydride

Phosphoester

Correct answer:

Phosphoanhydride

Explanation:

Phosphoanhydride bonds contain lots of stored energy, with a  of . This energy, when released during ATP hydrolysis, can then be used for various anabolic pathways.

Example Question #14 : Biological Energetics

Which of the following types of transport require ATP to function?

I. Diffusion

II. Facilitated diffusion

III. Primary active transport

IV. Secondary active transport

Possible Answers:

I and II

I, II, III, and IV

III and IV

II, III, and IV

III only

Correct answer:

III and IV

Explanation:

Diffusion and facilitated diffusion are methods by which molecules can pass through membranes without the use of ATP. Even though facilitated diffusion does require a channel to function, movement is still controlled by differences in concentration gradients. Primary active transport uses ATP directly to drive molecules against their concentration gradients, and secondary active transport uses the pre-established electrochemical gradient from primary transport to create movement for other molecules - so it still does require ATP to function even though it is indirect.

Example Question #15 : Biological Energetics

Fick's law of diffusion states that which of the following affect diffusion flux?

Possible Answers:

Membrane surface area

Membrane thickness

All of these affect diffusion flux

Diffusion constant

Concentration gradient

Correct answer:

All of these affect diffusion flux

Explanation:

Fick's law describes the factors that influence diffusion of molecules through a membrane. All of the variables listed as answer choices, if changed, can influence the level of diffusion that can occur through the membrane.

Example Question #64 : Homeostasis And The Biological Environment

What are the Nernst potentials for sodium and potassium, respectively?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The correct Nernst potential for sodium is  and the correct Nernst potential for potassium is . The resting membrane potential for the cell membrane as a whole is about 

Example Question #616 : Biochemistry

When trying to predict the direction of a chemical reaction, which of the following acts as the best indicator?

Possible Answers:

Activation energy

Temperature

Correct answer:

Explanation:

For this question, we're asked to identify the correct measure that allows us to predict the direction of a chemical reaction. Let's take a look at each answer choice.

The change in enthalpy of a reaction, , represents the amount of heat energy absorbed by or given off in a chemical reaction. Generally, chemical reactions that give off heat tend to go in the forward reaction. However, by itself, enthalpy cannot predict the direction of a chemical reaction.

The change in entropy of a reaction, , represents the change in disorder of a chemical reaction. Generally, chemical reactions that become more disordered as they progress tend to be driven in the forward direction. However, this alone is not enough to predict the direction of a chemical reaction.

The temperature at which a reaction occurs is another important factor to take into account when deciding the direction in which a chemical reaction will take. Reactions tend to be driven forward when they give off heat in low temperature environments. Also, reactions tend to be driven forward when they absorb heat in high temperature environments. But, by itself, temperature is not sufficient to predict the direction of a chemical reaction.

The activation energy of a reaction represents the amount of energy that must be put into a reaction in order for the reactants to reach the high-energy transition state. However, activation energy only affects the rate of a reaction and not its direction. Reactions that have higher activation energies will necessarily have a harder time reaching the transition state, which is necessary in order for the reaction to progress. But activation energy does not affect the change in energy of the reactants and products themselves. In other words, activation energy is not concerned with the thermodynamics of a reaction, but rather with the kinetics. Thus, activation energy will not allow us to predict the direction of a chemical reaction.

Finally, let's take a look at the change in Gibb's free energy, . This measurement takes into account several other variables, including , and temperature. In doing so, the  term allows us to accurately predict the direction of a chemical reaction, since it takes these other important factors into account. When the value of  is negative, this indicates a reaction that will be driven in the forward direction, because the reactants are losing free energy as they are converted into products. Conversely, a positive  indicates a reaction that is driven in the reverse direction. Put into the form of an equation,  takes the following form.

Example Question #66 : Homeostasis And The Biological Environment

If a chemical reaction has a positive change in enthalpy and a positive change in entropy, then which of the following is true?

Possible Answers:

Will be spontaneous at low temperatures

Will never be spontaneous

Will always be spontaneous

Will be spontaneous exactly 50% of the time

Will be spontaneous at high temperatures

Correct answer:

Will be spontaneous at high temperatures

Explanation:

When  is negative, the reaction will occur spontaneously. So, if the change in enthalpy  and the change in entropy  are both positive,  will only be negative when temperature is high enough to make  greater than .

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