Enzymatic Activity

GeneralBiologyOnline

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Ch. 8 Contents

General
---------Biology-----------------------------------------------------
------------------Online--------------------------------------- Ch. 8 Membrane Structure and Function

2. Membrane Function
Enzymatic Activity

The figure below illustrates two integral proteins side by side with their active sites aligned. Arranging enzymes in the appropriate sequence is one way cells can control chemical pathways and make them more efficient.

Mitochondria and chloroplasts have their own DNA which contains the information the reproduction and maintenance of these structurally complex organelles. Their complex structure allows the partitioning of the organelles into compartments that separate different chemical pathways. Also, the structure allows a complex organization of proteins embedded in the compartment membranes. The membrane provides surface area for these reactions and for sequencing the embedded proteins to support complex chemical pathways (example from Ch. 9). Without the membranes, the reactions might still occur as random collisions in a fluid cytosol, but they would be much less efficient.

How many steps in the illustrated pathway? ____
What color is the initial substrate molecule? ____
What color is the final product? ____

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Signal Transduction