Biochemistry : Homeostasis and the Biological Environment

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Biochemistry

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Biological Energetics

For this reaction,  at given reaction conditions.

Which of the following statements concerning the reaction is true?

Possible Answers:

The mixture contains more products than reactants

Entropy increases as the reaction proceeds to the left

The mixture contains an equal amount of reactants and products

The mixture contains more reactants than products

More than one of these

Correct answer:

The mixture contains more products than reactants

Explanation:

Because  for the reaction is negative, it is spontaneous and proceeds favorably to the right. Equilibrium does not occur when the concentrations of reactants and products are equal; it occurs when the rates of forward and reverse reactions are equal. At equilibrium  thus there is no net change in the concentration of either the reactants or the products.

Example Question #2 : Biological Energetics

Regarding formation of double stranded DNA from two complementary single strands, which of the following is true?

Possible Answers:

None of these

The formation of dsDNA is entropically favorable, but is enthapically unfavorable.

The formation of dsDNA is entropically and enthalpically favorable.

The formation of dsDNA is entropically and enthalpically unfavorable.

The formation of dsDNA is entropically unfavorable, but is enthalpically favorable.

Correct answer:

The formation of dsDNA is entropically unfavorable, but is enthalpically favorable.

Explanation:

If two complementary single strands of DNA are put into a solution, they will spontaneously form dsDNA.  This process results in a loss of heat from the system - demonstrating that it is an enthalpically favorable process.  However, it is entropically unfavorable given the formation of a more ordered structure.

Example Question #1 : Biological Energetics

A person just eats a very large meal filled with starches and sugars. What is expected to happen to their insulin to glucagon ratio as a result? Assume the person is not diabetic. 

Possible Answers:

Glucagon will increase relative to insulin

Insulin will levels will increase and glucagon levels will drop to zero

The ratio will remain more or less constant

Glucagon will levels will increase and insulin levels will drop to zero

Insulin will increase relative to glucagon

Correct answer:

Insulin will increase relative to glucagon

Explanation:

Insulin is produced by pancreatic beta cells in response to a rise in blood sugar, which occurs after eating a meal rich in carbohydrates (sugars and starches). It causes other cells of the body to take up the blood sugar (primarily glucose) and use it for energy production, and it prompts the liver to store excess glucose as glycogen. Glucagon is produced when blood sugar is too low, and it blocks glycolysis and prompts liver cells to convert stored glycogen back to glucose and release it and also produce glucose through gluconeogenesis. This is always determined by the ratio of the levels of two hormones - if there is far more insulin than glucagon, its physiological effects will dominate. There is never absolutely zero of either hormone unless the individual is diabetic to such a degree that their cells cannot produce insulin. 

Example Question #2 : Biological Energetics

Under what conditions will a reaction with a positive change in entropy and a positive change in enthalpy take place spontaneously?

Possible Answers:

When temperature is very low

This reaction will never take place spontaneously

When temperature is very high

This reaction will always take place spontaneously

When pressure is low

Correct answer:

When temperature is very high

Explanation:

A negative change in Gibbs free energy means that a reaction will take place spontaneously. By using the equation:

We can see that if both entropy and enthalpy are positive,  will only be negative when  is sufficiently high.

Example Question #1 : Biological Energetics

What is reaction coupling?

Possible Answers:

Driving an unfavorable reaction forward by pairing it with a very favorable reaction

Stopping a favorable reaction from occurring by pairing it with an unfavorable reaction

Pairing two unfavorable reactions together so that they both become favorable

Pairing two reactions together in order to alter their chemical equilibriums

Combining two reactions in order to double the amount of product that will be created

Correct answer:

Driving an unfavorable reaction forward by pairing it with a very favorable reaction

Explanation:

Reaction coupling is the pairing of one unfavorable reaction to another reaction that is favorable. The energetics of the favorable reaction drive the unfavorable one forward.

Example Question #2 : Biological Energetics

Which of the following is true of a reaction that has reached equilibrium?

Possible Answers:

The reaction quotient (Q) is less than the equilibrium constant (Keq)

The rate of the reaction is at its maximum

The reaction quotient (Q) is greater than the equilibrium constant (Keq)

There is no net movement between the products and reactants

There is no movement at all between products and reactants

Correct answer:

There is no net movement between the products and reactants

Explanation:

It is a common misconception that at chemical equilibrium, movement between the product and reactant sides of the equation has stopped. In reality, reactants and products are still converting back and forth to one another, however there is no longer any net movement from one side of the equation to the other. Also, Q=Keq at equilibrium.

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.

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