BIOC 2061

SEMESTER 1 2019-20
BIOENERGETICS TUTORIAL QUESTIONS

1) Describe the systems used in thermodynamics and explain how classical

thermodynamics can be applied to open systems such as biology?

2) What does the second law of thermodynamics state? If the entropy of a folded
protein is lower than that of the protein in its denatured state explain how the
folding process be spontaneous?

3) What information does a G value give about a chemical reaction and what
information does it not supply?

4) The reaction catalyzed by malate dehydrogenase has a  Go/ of +29kJmol-1. Can

this reaction proceed spontaneously? Explain your answer.

5) Explain the structural basis of the high group transfer potential of ATP.

6) Explain, with the use of a graph, why ATP is able to perform useful work in a
cell?

7) Explain how you would experimentally determine the Eo value of the

NAD+/NADH redox couple.

8) Split the flowing reaction into its two half reactions

Succinate + FAD ↔ fumerate + FADH2

9) Consider the reaction:

isocitrate + NAD+ ↔ -ketoglutarate + CO2 +NADH

Under the observed conditions the E value for the NAD+/NADH couple = -0.32 V
and the E value for the isocitrate/ -ketoglutarate couple = -0.38V

Would this reaction proceed spontaneously or not? Explain your answer.

10) Show how G is related to membrane potential and ion concentration?