What is meant by the term metabolism?
"Enzymes are essential for metabolism" - Leaving Cert Biology - Question 14(b) - 2011
Question 14(b)
What is meant by the term metabolism?
"Enzymes are essential for metabolism".
Explain why this statement is true.
In each of the following cases state whether the... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:What is meant by the term metabolism?
"Enzymes are essential for metabolism" - Leaving Cert Biology - Question 14(b) - 2011
Step 1
What is meant by the term metabolism?
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Answer
Metabolism refers to all the chemical reactions that occur within living cells. These reactions are crucial for maintaining life, including processes for energy production, biosynthesis, and the breakdown of molecules.
Step 2
Explain why this statement is true: "Enzymes are essential for metabolism".
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Answer
Enzymes are biological catalysts that accelerate metabolic reactions without being consumed in the process. They lower the activation energy required for reactions, enabling the control of reaction rates and ensuring essential biochemical processes happen efficiently at physiological temperatures.
Step 3
In each of the following cases state whether the process is anabolic or catabolic.
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Answer
Protein synthesis: Anabolic
Conversion of ADP to ATP: Anabolic
Reactions in which product molecules are larger than substrate molecules: Anabolic
Step 4
State one way by which an enzyme may be denatured.
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Answer
An enzyme may be denatured by high temperature or high (or low) pH levels, which disrupt its active site and functional structure.
Step 5
Give two features of a denatured enzyme.
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Changed structure: The denatured enzyme loses its specific three-dimensional shape necessary for its activity.
Loss of function: A denatured enzyme cannot catalyze reactions effectively, rendering it inactive.
Step 6
Name the element apart from carbon, hydrogen and oxygen that is always present in the building blocks of enzymes.
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Answer
Nitrogen
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