Table of contents

1. Introduction to Biochemistry4h 34m
2. Water3h 23m
3. Amino Acids8h 10m
4. Protein Structure10h 4m
5. Protein Techniques14h 5m
6. Enzymes and Enzyme Kinetics13h 38m
7. Enzyme Inhibition and Regulation 8h 42m
8. Protein Function 9h 41m
9. Carbohydrates7h 49m
10. Lipids5h 49m
11. Biological Membranes and Transport 6h 37m
12. Biosignaling9h 45m
Review 1: Nucleic Acids, Lipids, & Membranes2h 47m
Review 2: Biosignaling, Glycolysis, Gluconeogenesis, & PP-Pathway3h 12m
Review 3: Pyruvate & Fatty Acid Oxidation, Citric Acid Cycle, & Glycogen Metabolism2h 26m
Review 4: Amino Acid Oxidation, Oxidative Phosphorylation, & Photophosphorylation1h 48m

4. Protein Structure

Peptide Bond

Biochemistry

4. Protein Structure

Peptide Bond

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Multiple Choice

Considering that peptide bond hydrolysis is exergonic, how is the stability of a peptide bond accounted for?

Despite the thermodynamic favorability of hydrolysis, peptide bond formation is more favorable.

The numerous peptide bonds in a typical protein synergistically make hydrolysis unfavorable.

Peptide bonds are only stable and avoid hydrolysis in cellular environments.

Though peptide bond hydrolysis is thermodynamically favorable, there is a high energy of activation.

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Verified step by step guidance

Understand the concept of peptide bond hydrolysis: Peptide bonds link amino acids in proteins and their hydrolysis is the process of breaking these bonds, which is thermodynamically favorable (exergonic).

Recognize the role of activation energy: Despite the thermodynamic favorability, peptide bond hydrolysis requires overcoming a high energy barrier, known as the activation energy, which makes the process slow under normal conditions.

Consider the cellular environment: In living organisms, peptide bonds are stable because the cellular environment does not provide the necessary conditions to overcome the activation energy easily.

Explore the role of enzymes: Enzymes such as proteases can lower the activation energy required for hydrolysis, allowing the process to occur more readily when needed, such as during protein digestion.

Reflect on protein stability: The stability of proteins is maintained by the high activation energy barrier, ensuring that proteins do not spontaneously degrade, despite the thermodynamic favorability of peptide bond hydrolysis.