NAME: Ma. Christina A.

Hingco DATE: October 23, 2021

ASSIGNMENT NO. 2
Problem 1

Using a series of arrows, draw the branched metabolic reaction pathway described by the following
statements, and then answer the questions at the end. Use red arrows and minus signs to indicate
inhibition.

L can form either M or N. M can form O.

O can form either P or R. P can form Q.
R can form S. O inhibits the reaction of L to form M.
Q inhibits the reaction of O to form P. S inhibits the reaction of O to form R.
Answer
-0
-0

-0
[1] Will each of the following reactions succeed if both Q and S are present in the cell in high
concentrations? (Yes or No). Explain.
(a) L → M = Yes
Yes, L is capable of reacting and forming M. This is due to the above-mentioned effects of each
letter, and neither Q nor S have an inhibitory effect on the synthesis of M from L.
(b) M → O = Yes
Yes, M can successfully react and produce O in the current scenario because there is no
inhibitor that can prevent M from doing so.
(c) L → N = Yes
Yes, L can successfully react and generate N in the current scenario because there are no
known inhibitors for L in the synthesis of N.
(d) O → P = No
No, because the large amounts of Q in the cells will hinder the reaction of O in the creation of
P. In the case described above, Q will prevent O from forming P by inhibiting the process.

[2] Considering all four reactions together, with Q and S present in high concentrations, which of
the reactions will ultimately prevail in this condition. Explain.

With the current conditions, the reaction resulting in the formation of N is most likely to
succeed. Although the reaction of L to generate M is also likely to happen, M will also react to form O,
which is an inhibitor for L in the production of M. As a result, there will be a reaction for the formation
of M into O, although it will most likely come to a halt. Meanwhile, because there is no known inhibitor
for the reaction of L to generate N, N will continue to be formed indefinitely.
NAME: Ma. Christina A. Hingco DATE: October 23, 2021
ASSIGNMENT NO. 2
Problem 2
A researcher has developed an assay to measure the activity of an important enzyme present in
pancreatic cells growing in culture. She adds the enzyme’s substrate to a dish of cells and then
measures the appearance of reaction products. The results are graphed as the amount of product on
the y-axis versus time on the x-axis. The researcher notes four sections of the graph. For a short period
of time, no products appear (section A). Then (section B) the reaction rate is quite high (the slope of
the line is steep). Next, the reaction gradually slows down (section C). Finally, the graph line becomes
flat (section D). Draw and label the graph and propose a model to explain the molecular events
occurring at each stage of this reaction profile.

Answer:
Amount of Product

B
C

A D

Time

So, at first, all of the enzymes are unoccupied, and there isn't much of a reaction because the
enzymes are all unoccupied, according to the study. As a result, section A represents the molecule
without the catalyst, which is also known as the initial stage or lag phase. The researcher then filled
plenty of substrate to the container also there are many substrates in the environment to the
container with the unoccupied enzyme. The substrates begin to divide swiftly within the container in
which they are experimenting. The process will then begin to run very quickly as the free enzymes are
occupied. The bonding of the catalyst to the enzyme occurs in Section B, which is also a highly fast,
exponential development phase. As we fill up all of the enzymes with substrate, it's difficult for
substrate to find fresh free enzymes, the reaction rate slows down. Section D represents the time
when the catalyst has done its duty. Finally, during the Max velocity phase, all of the enzymes will be
occupied, and as soon as the product is released, a new substrate will enter and fill the empty space,
and the enzyme will return to its normal state in section A, where the process will begin again from
the beginning.
NAME: Ma. Christina A. Hingco DATE: October 23, 2021
ASSIGNMENT NO. 2
Problem 3

Explain what is happening in the photo in terms of

kinetic energy and potential energy. Include the energy
conversions that occur when the penguins eat fish and
climb back up on the glacier. Describe the role of ATP
and enzymes in the underlying molecular processes,
including what happens to the free energy of some of
the molecules involved.

Answer

Due to gravity, the penguins on the glacier preparing to dive have a lot of potential energy or free
energy. The penguins are less stable in this state, but they have a greater capacity to work. As soon as
they begin to dive, their gravitational potential energy transforms into kinetic energy as they plunge
to the bottom of the ocean. They have less free energy and less capacity to work after diving, but they
are in a more stable state. They must consume energy by dining on fish in order to ascend back up the
glacier. They are also receiving energy through the process of cellular respiration, where energy is
stored as ATP, when they eat their meal. The ATP will then re-energize their cells and muscles, allowing
them to climb back up.

Consider the penguins as an analogy for how biological reactions work. Some reactions, such as diving
penguins, are spontaneous and require no energy, whereas others, such as climbing up penguins, are
nonspontaneous and require energy (endergonic). The majority of cell reactions are endergonic,
although ATP hydrolysis is very exergonic or spontaneous. To make the process conceivable, the ATP
hydrolysis is partnered (coupled) with an endergonic reaction. As a result, ATP's job in a reaction was
to mediate or supply the energy requirements of an endergonic reaction. On the other hand, the
enzyme speeds up the reaction by lowering the activation energy barrier of the reaction. The
activation energy is the initial energy needed to start a reaction that are highly dependent on their
surroundings. Although enzymes do not alter the change in free energy as ATP does, they do speed
up the rate at which reactions occur.
NAME: Ma. Christina A. Hingco DATE: October 23, 2021
ASSIGNMENT NO. 2
References

Timothy, S. (2021, October 21). Ask Questions. Numerade. Retrieved October 23, 2021, from
https://www.numerade.com/ask/question/a-researcher-has-developed-an-assay-to-
measure-the-activity-of-an-important-enzyme-present-in-pancre-19715/

Urry, L., Cain, M., Wasserman, S., Minorsky, P., & Orr, R. (2020). Campbell Biology (12th ed.). Pearson
Education, Inc.