Biochemistry

[kitkat22]

Does anyone know what the isoprenoid next to ubiquinone in ATP synthesis does? All I know is ubiquinone is responsible for the redox reaction between two of the cytochromes. If you know there are many cookies available

 

[DaWhim]

from wiki

 

[Gibsons]

Originally posted by: cscpianoman
Does anyone know what the isoprenoid next to ubiquinone in ATP synthesis does? All I know is ubiquinone is responsible for the redox reaction between two of the cytochromes. If you know there are many cookies available

Could you describe the "isoprenoid next to ubiquinone" a little better? Are you talking about complex I (nadh dehydrogenase or whatever it's called in your notes) or complex II (succinate dehydrogenase) or something else?

 

[kitkat22]

The question is not overally specific so here goes:
In electron transfer, only the quinone portion of ubiquinone undergoes oxidation-reduction; the isoprenoid side chian remains uncharged. What is the function of the isoprenoid chain of ubiquinone?

 

[kitkat22]

I just got it. The isoprenoid acts as an anchor to hold the ubiquinone in place in the mitochondrial membrane. It was the side-chain thing that threw me off. Gibsons is that about on par with what you were thinking?

 

[globalcitizen]

Since I have to do Biochemistry next semester, I am scared after reading this thread.

 

[Gibsons]

Originally posted by: cscpianoman
The question is not overally specific so here goes:
In electron transfer, only the quinone portion of ubiquinone undergoes oxidation-reduction; the isoprenoid side chian remains uncharged. What is the function of the isoprenoid chain of ubiquinone?

I think the answer is that it allows the quinone to diffuse within the membrane. You need to be very hydrophobic to do this, and it's crucial to the function of ubiquinone to be soluble in the membrane. Isoprenoids are highly hydrophobic.

edit grammar

 

[kitkat22]

It's not too bad, just start memorizing the book and you should do just fine

Are you taking the upperclassman course or the watered down version?

 

[kitkat22]

Originally posted by: Gibsons

Originally posted by: cscpianoman
The question is not overally specific so here goes:
In electron transfer, only the quinone portion of ubiquinone undergoes oxidation-reduction; the isoprenoid side chian remains uncharged. What is the function of the isoprenoid chain of ubiquinone?

I think the answer is that it allows the quinone to diffuse within the membrane. You need to be very hydrophobic to do this, and it's crucial to the function of ubiquinone to be soluble in the membrane. Isoprenoids are highly hydrophobic.

edit grammar

Dude, that makes perfect sense! You're a genius! Have many cookies on me!

 

[Gibsons]

Originally posted by: cscpianoman
I just got it. The isoprenoid acts as an anchor to hold the ubiquinone in place in the mitochondrial membrane. It was the side-chain thing that threw me off. Gibsons is that about on par with what you were thinking?

Yes, but I don't like the word "anchor."

Ubiquinone is freely diffusable within the membrane, which is a liquid as far as ubiquinone is concerned.

 

[globalcitizen]

Originally posted by: cscpianoman
It's not too bad, just start memorizing the book and you should do just fine

Are you taking the upperclassman course or the watered down version?

Directly quoted from online schedule. I take them sequentially. Look easier than yours?

BCHM 561: General Biochemistry I

Description: Protein structure and function, introduction to nucleic acids and molecular biology, properties of enzymes, mechanism of enzyme action, basic concepts of metabolism, sugar and fatty acid metabolism, introduction to membranes and hormone action.

BCHM 562 General Biochemistry II
Description: Amino acid metabolism, photosynthesis, biosynthesis of membrane lipids and steroids, biosynthesis of nucleotides, structure and function of nucleic acids, protein synthesis, and control of gene expression.

 

[kitkat22]

Thats exactly what we are doing!! Considering you probably already have the 20 essential amino acids memorized the proteins should be relatively easy. Enzymes aren't too bad. Metabolism is where it really gets fun! Overall though I'm getting about a B in the course so far (Crosses fingers) I don't have to take Biochem II so I wouldn't be of much help.

Gibsons, thanks a ton. Yeah, after reading through what you mentioned yours makes much more sense, anchor isn't a good word to use.

 

[globalcitizen]

Originally posted by: cscpianoman
Thats exactly what we are doing!! Considering you probably already have the 20 essential amino acids memorized the proteins should be relatively easy. Enzymes aren't too bad. Metabolism is where it really gets fun! Overall though I'm getting about a B in the course so far (Crosses fingers) I don't have to take Biochem II so I wouldn't be of much help.

Gibsons, thanks a ton. Yeah, after reading through what you mentioned yours makes much more sense, anchor isn't a good word to use.

Guess I have you for homework help next semester

 

[Gibsons]

Originally posted by: cscpianoman
Thats exactly what we are doing!! Considering you probably already have the 20 essential amino acids memorized the proteins should be relatively easy. Enzymes aren't too bad. Metabolism is where it really gets fun! Overall though I'm getting about a B in the course so far (Crosses fingers) I don't have to take Biochem II so I wouldn't be of much help.

Gibsons, thanks a ton. Yeah, after reading through what you mentioned yours makes much more sense, anchor isn't a good word to use.

That's pretty much the topic list for most biochem courses.

TBH I found a lot of it pretty difficult the first time through. Seems like "simple stuff" now, but that's not really true.

 

[kitkat22]

Originally posted by: globalcitizen

Guess I have you for homework help next semester

You are more than welcome to ask, though I don't know how much help I may be.