1 Basically, all biological activities are the result of chemical reactions. Are there any processes in the body that do not involve chemical reactions? List three such processes.
2 Chemical reactions that occur in the body are called "biochemical reactions." Could such reactions occur outside the body? If so, what conditions are required?
3 Even today, scientists are unable to perform artificial photosynthesis. Why might this be the case?
4 The movement of substances across the cell membrane involves four basic processes. Which of these processes are not considered metabolic activities? Why?
5 Provide examples of decomposition reactions in the body. List three types.
6 Provide examples of synthesis reactions in the body. List three types.
7 The reactions in the body are not limited to decomposition and synthesis. Name three other types of reactions you have encountered.
8 Most synthesis reactions involve energy consumption. Why is this the case?
9 If glucose is left on a table, will it transform into other substances (e.g., carbon dioxide and water)? Why or why not?
10 In the body, glucose can be converted into carbon dioxide and water. What is this process called, and what conditions are required?
11 What is the initial condition needed for all chemical reactions on Earth to begin?
12 In chemical reactions, unstable intermediates may either become the final product or revert to their original state. What factors influence the final direction?
13 What is the function of enzymes in chemical reactions within the body? How do they achieve this, and why is it important?
14 Enzymes are biological catalysts. How do their properties differ from those of chemical catalysts?
15 Regarding enzyme properties, which properties are derived from others?
16 Enzyme action is specific. What does this mean?
17 In the lock-and-key hypothesis, which is the enzyme (the lock or the key)? Explain.
18 What enzyme properties can the lock-and-key hypothesis explain?
19 How does temperature affect enzymes compared to chemical catalysts? Explain.
20 Based on your knowledge of how temperature affects enzymes, explain the mechanism of frog hibernation during winter.
21If the optimal temperature for an enzyme is 40°C, how would enzyme activity change if the temperature increases from 10°C to 30°C?
22If the optimal temperature for an enzyme is 40°C, how would enzyme activity change if the temperature decreases from 60°C to 50°C?
23 What is the optimal temperature for enzymes in the human body?
24 If a frog is placed in a freezer, it will eventually die. Explain why.
25 Frogs do not necessarily hibernate during winter. Why might this be the case?
26 How does the effect of pH on enzyme activity resemble the effect of temperature on enzyme activity?
27 In reality, enzyme activity does not drop to zero immediately after exceeding the optimal temperature. Why might this be?
28 Explain the mechanism by which pH affects enzyme activity (hint: it is related to protein structure).
29 How is enzyme activity measured? What criteria are used?
30 How does substrate concentration affect enzyme activity? Explain.
31What effect do inhibitors have on enzyme activity? How do they influence it?
32 Inhibitors are essential for regulating chemical reactions in the body. Why might it be important that the body naturally produces many inhibitor molecules?
33 Inhibitors can be classified as competitive or non-competitive. What does "competitive" mean in this context?
34 Cyanide (commonly called prussic acid) is a non-competitive inhibitor that affects enzymes required for cellular respiration. If cyanide is inhaled, can increasing the substrate concentration counteract its effects? Explain.
35 If the inhibitor is competitive, can increasing the substrate concentration counteract its effects? Explain.
36 Laundry detergents may contain enzymes. What types of enzymes are they?
37 What precautions should be taken when using enzyme-containing laundry detergents?
38 What type of enzymes are found in meat tenderizers?
39 Pineapple contains proteases (the enzymes found in meat tenderizers). How should pineapple be used when cooking dishes like pineapple beef stir-fry? Explain (cooking often involves enzyme activity).
40 Making bread may or may not involve enzymes (e.g., when using yeast). If yeast is used, what steps are involved? (Why is the dough not immediately placed in the oven after mixing?)
41 Enzymes may be used in juice production. What role do they play?
42 Overall, what are the advantages of using enzymes in industrial processes? What are the potential limitations?
43 Why do snakes hibernate?
44 In restaurants, why is ice water (rather than room-temperature water) used to keep shrimp, crabs, or lobsters in tanks?
45 If a frog is placed in a low-temperature environment with food nearby, will it eat? Why or why not?
46 If frogs (a type of amphibian) are brought home, how can their activity levels be reduced?
47 During winter, snakes hibernate in caves. How can snakes in these caves be captured? Is it safe to do so barehanded?
48 Why can humans not hibernate?
49 Some bears can hibernate, but the vast majority of mammals cannot. Why might this be the case?
50 If a bear is placed in a low-temperature environment with food nearby, will it eat? Why or why not?
51 Humans likely possess the genes for enzymes necessary for hibernation. If humans could hibernate, what might be the potential uses?