BioChem > ch 2chatgpt > Flashcards

ch 2chatgpt Flashcards

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1
Q

What is the definition of human microbiota?

A

The diverse community of microorganisms (bacteria, archaea, fungi, viruses) that colonize the human body

Human microbiota plays a crucial role in health and disease.

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2
Q

What is an alternate term for microbiota?

A

Indigenous flora

This term emphasizes the native microbial communities in a specific environment.

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3
Q

What type of relationship exists between humans and microbiota?

A

Symbiotic relationship

This relationship benefits both humans and microbiota.

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4
Q

Define commensal relationship.

A

One organism benefits while the other is neither helped nor harmed

This is a common type of interaction in microbiota.

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5
Q

What are pathogens?

A

Disease-causing microorganisms

Pathogens can disrupt the balance of microbiota.

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6
Q

What are gnotobiotic organisms?

A

Germ-free organisms used to study absence of microbiota

These organisms help in understanding the role of microbiota.

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7
Q

Where is the primary location of human microbiota?

A

Intestines (gut)

The gut microbiota is essential for digestion and immune function.

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8
Q

What is the estimated microorganism to human cell ratio?

A

Approximately 1:1 to 3:1

This ratio indicates the complexity of the human microbiome.

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9
Q

What percent of human energy comes from gut bacteria?

A

About 5%

Gut bacteria contribute to energy extraction from food.

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10
Q

List the short-chain fatty acids produced by gut bacteria.

A
  • Acetate
  • Propionate
  • Butyrate

These fatty acids are important for gut health.

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11
Q

What is the effect of microbiota absence in mice?

A

Require ~30% more calories and show impaired development

This highlights the importance of microbiota for normal growth.

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12
Q

What are the primary epithelial defense molecules?

A

α-defensins

These molecules play a role in protecting against pathogens.

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13
Q

What is the function of α-defensins?

A

Antimicrobial proteins that form pores in bacterial membranes

They are crucial for innate immunity.

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14
Q

Define self-assembly.

A

Spontaneous formation of complex structures from individual molecules

This process is fundamental in biological systems.

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15
Q

What are supramolecular structures?

A

Large molecular assemblies formed through noncovalent interactions

Examples include ribosomes and cytoskeletal filaments.

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16
Q

Define molecular machines.

A

Multisubunit protein complexes that perform cellular work

These machines are essential for various cellular processes.

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17
Q

What are motor proteins?

A

Proteins that bind ATP or GTP and undergo shape changes to generate motion

Examples include kinesin and dynein.

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18
Q

List examples of motor proteins.

A
  • Kinesin
  • Dynein
  • Myosin

These proteins are involved in intracellular transport and muscle contraction.

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19
Q

What is steric information?

A

3D structural information in biomolecules guiding assembly

This information is crucial for proper molecular interactions.

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20
Q

Define macromolecular crowding.

A

Dense packing of macromolecules inside cells

This condition affects biochemical reactions and molecular interactions.

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21
Q

What is excluded volume?

A

Volume occupied by macromolecules in a cell

This concept is important in understanding cellular dynamics.

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22
Q

What is the typical excluded volume percentage?

A

20–40% of cell volume

This percentage indicates the crowded nature of cellular environments.

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23
Q

What is the effect of macromolecular crowding?

A

Alters reaction rates, folding, and binding

Crowding can enhance or inhibit biochemical processes.

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24
Q

Define proteostasis.

A

Maintenance of correct protein folding, localization, and turnover

Proteostasis is vital for cellular health.

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25
What is the function of the **proteostasis network**?
Chaperoning, folding, and degrading proteins ## Footnote This network ensures proteins are properly managed within the cell.
26
What is the **unfolded protein response (UPR)**?
ER stress response that increases chaperones and slows translation ## Footnote UPR helps restore normal function in the endoplasmic reticulum.
27
Define **ER-associated degradation (ERAD)**.
Process that targets misfolded proteins for degradation ## Footnote ERAD is crucial for maintaining protein quality control.
28
What is **signal transduction**?
Conversion of an external signal into an intracellular response ## Footnote This process is essential for cellular communication.
29
List the **four steps of signal transduction**.
* Reception * Transduction * Response * Termination ## Footnote These steps outline how cells respond to signals.
30
Give an example of a **second messenger**.
Calcium ion (Ca2+) ## Footnote Second messengers amplify the signal within the cell.
31
Define **work** in biochemistry.
Force multiplied by distance ## Footnote Work is a fundamental concept in understanding energy transfer.
32
What is **energy transduction**?
Conversion of chemical energy into directed motion ## Footnote This process is vital for cellular activities.
33
What is the **primary cellular energy currency**?
ATP ## Footnote ATP is essential for powering various cellular processes.
34
What is another nucleotide used by **molecular machines**?
GTP ## Footnote GTP is involved in protein synthesis and signal transduction.
35
Define **prokaryotic cells**.
Cells lacking a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles ## Footnote Prokaryotic cells include bacteria and archaea.
36
List the **major components of prokaryotic cells**.
* Cell wall * Plasma membrane * Cytoplasm * Nucleoid ## Footnote These components are essential for the structure and function of prokaryotic cells.
37
What is the function of **bacterial pili**?
Attachment and DNA transfer ## Footnote Pili are important for bacterial conjugation and adherence.
38
What is the function of **bacterial flagella**?
Motility via rotary motion ## Footnote Flagella enable bacteria to move toward nutrients or away from toxins.
39
What is the defining feature of **eukaryotic cells**?
Presence of nucleus and membrane-bound organelles ## Footnote Eukaryotic cells are more complex than prokaryotic cells.
40
What is the composition of the **plasma membrane**?
Phospholipid bilayer with embedded proteins ## Footnote This structure is crucial for cell integrity and function.
41
What is the function of the **rough ER**?
Synthesis of secreted and membrane proteins ## Footnote The rough ER is studded with ribosomes, facilitating protein synthesis.
42
What is the function of the **smooth ER**?
Lipid synthesis, detoxification, calcium storage ## Footnote The smooth ER plays a role in metabolism and detoxification.
43
What is the function of the **Golgi apparatus**?
Modification and sorting of proteins and lipids ## Footnote The Golgi apparatus is essential for processing cellular products.
44
What is the function of a **lysosome**?
Degradation and recycling of macromolecules ## Footnote Lysosomes contain enzymes that break down waste materials.
45
What is the primary function of the **nucleus**?
Storage and regulation of genetic information ## Footnote The nucleus is the control center of the cell.
46
What is the function of **nuclear pore complexes**?
Selective transport between nucleus and cytoplasm ## Footnote These complexes regulate the movement of molecules in and out of the nucleus.
47
What is the primary role of **mitochondria**?
ATP production via oxidative phosphorylation ## Footnote Mitochondria are known as the powerhouse of the cell.
48
What is a feature of the **mitochondrial genome**?
Contains circular DNA ## Footnote This feature is similar to prokaryotic DNA.
49
What is the function of a **peroxisome**?
Oxidation reactions and detoxification ## Footnote Peroxisomes help in breaking down fatty acids and detoxifying harmful substances.
50
What is the function of a **chloroplast**?
Photosynthesis and carbon fixation ## Footnote Chloroplasts are found in plant cells and some protists.
51
Define **cytoskeleton**.
Network of protein filaments providing structure and movement ## Footnote The cytoskeleton is essential for maintaining cell shape and facilitating movement.
52
What is the function of **microtubules**?
Intracellular transport and chromosome separation ## Footnote Microtubules are part of the cytoskeleton and play a role in cell division.
53
What is the function of **microfilaments**?
Cell movement and muscle contraction ## Footnote Microfilaments are involved in various cellular processes, including motility.
54
What is the function of **intermediate filaments**?
Mechanical strength and stability ## Footnote Intermediate filaments provide structural support to cells.
55
What is the first **core biochemical principle**?
Structure determines function ## Footnote This principle is fundamental in understanding biological molecules.
56
What is the second **core biochemical principle**?
Weak interactions enable dynamics ## Footnote Weak interactions are crucial for molecular recognition and interactions.
57
What is the third **core biochemical principle**?
Self-assembly creates organization ## Footnote Self-assembly is a key process in the formation of complex structures.
58
What is the fourth **core biochemical principle**?
Energy drives processes ## Footnote Energy is essential for all biological activities.
59
What is the fifth **core biochemical principle**?
Information flow controls activities ## Footnote This principle highlights the role of genetic information in cellular function.
60
What is the sixth **core biochemical principle**?
Evolution shapes mechanisms ## Footnote Evolution influences the development of biological systems and processes.
BioChem
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