Living organisms rely on energy to stay alive and to carry out day-to-day activities. Potential energy in the form of chemical bonds is converted to kinetic energy which produces movement. Two laws about energy are important concepts to grasp in biochemistry, i.e., the first and the second law of thermodynamics. First Law of Thermodynamics The […]
Overview Obesity has become a major chronic disease in the United States with a reported prevalence of 42.4% between 2017-2018. Its prevalence has given rise to related problems such as heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, certain types of cancer, and premature death. In 2008, the estimated annual medical cost of obesity in the US […]
The body has different ways in which it can regulate energy metabolism; that is, decide whether to increase energy or reduce energy production. Two main ways are highlighted in this lesson with examples, i.e., allosteric inhibition/activation, and hormones. Allosteric Inhibition and Activation Remember that allosteric regulation happens when a substance binds to a site on […]
Thermodynamics tell us IF a biochemical reaction will occur. However enzymes in biological systems dictate HOW FAST the reactions will occur. Enzymes are proteins that speed up the rate of chemical reactions without undergoing any change themselves. (Note: Some RNA have also been found to have catalytic activity as well). Enzymes affect the rate of […]
