Living cells maintain biochemical reactions far from equilibrium conditions. They do this by constantly manipulating
the concentrations of reactants and products. Why is it important that a state far from equilibrium be maintained? What will be an ideal response?
Concepts to Consider: Cells at equilibrium are dead; no work can be accomplished under
equilibrium conditions.
You might also like to view...
How do Cyanobacteria impact the ecology of both aquatic and terrestrial environments on Earth?
What will be an ideal response?
Plastids evolution began when an ancestral cell engulfed what?
a. a spirochete b. a cyanobacteria c. a mitochondria d. green algae
Capillaries come together to form
a. arteries b. tissue c. vein d. lympathic system
Imagine that you are conducting an experiment on an enzyme known as sucrase. This enzyme is synthesized and used by yeast cells to break down the disaccharide sucrose (table sugar) into the monosaccharides glucose and fructose
You decide to conduct an experiment to test whether the sucrase enzyme can break down the artificial sweetener sucralose. Sucralose (a "chlorinated" carbohydrate) has some chemical similarity to sucrose, but is different in that three of its hydroxyl groups are missing and replaced with chlorine atoms instead. Based on the details provided in this scenario, do you think the sucrase enzyme will be able to interact with sucralose? A) Yes; enzymes such as sucrase are not specific for their substrate. B) Yes; the enzymes in human cells can interact with artificial sweeteners as if they were sugars. C) No; sucralose is an ion and not a true carbohydrate. D) No; all enzymes are highly specific and can react with only a specific substrate.