Consider carbamoyl phosphate, a precursor in the biosynthesis of pyrimidines: Based on the discussion of high-energy phosphates in this chapter, would you expect carbamoyl phosphate to possess a high free energy of hydrolysis? Provide a chemical rationale for your answer.

Short Answer

Expert verified
Yes, carbamoyl phosphate is likely to possess a high free energy of hydrolysis. This is due to the high-energy phosphate bonds it contains, similar to those in ATP, which release a significant amount of energy when broken.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding carbamoyl phosphate

Carbamoyl phosphate is a molecule that contains two phosphate groups attached to a carbamoyl moiety (a molecule containing a carbonyl (C=O) and an amine (NH2) group). The structure of carbamoyl phosphate is such that it has high-energy phosphate bonds, similar to those in ATP (adenosine triphosphate).
02

Steps leading to hydrolysis

Hydrolysis is the process of breaking down a molecule by adding a water molecule. For carbamoyl phosphate, this would occur when the phosphate bonds are broken and a water molecule is added.
03

Predicting high energy of hydrolysis

High free energy of hydrolysis is commonly seen in molecules that contain high-energy phosphate bonds (such as ATP). The phosphate bonds in carbamoyl phosphate are similar to those in ATP, they are likely to also have high free energy when hydrolyzed. This is because breaking these phosphate bonds releases a significant amount of energy.

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

  • Full Textbook Solutions

    Get detailed explanations and key concepts

  • Unlimited Al creation

    Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...

  • Ads-free access

    To over 500 millions flashcards

  • Money-back guarantee

    We refund you if you fail your exam.

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with Vaia!

One App. One Place for Learning.

All the tools & learning materials you need for study success - in one app.

Get started for free

Most popular questions from this chapter

The hydrolysis of 1,3 -bisphosphoglycerate is favorable, due in part to the increased resonance stabilization of the products of the reaction. Draw resonance structures for the reactant and the products of this reaction to establish that this statement is true..

Define a state function. Name three themodynamic quantities that are state functions and three that are not.

ATP hydrolysis at pH 7.0 is accompanicd by release of a hydrogen ion to the medium \\[\mathrm{ATP}^{6-}+\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O} \rightleftharpoons \mathrm{ADP}^{3-}+\mathrm{HPO}_{4}^{2-}+\mathrm{H}^{+}\\] If the \(\Delta G^{\circ}\) for this reaction is \(-30.5 \mathrm{kJ} / \mathrm{mol}\), what is \(\Delta G^{*}\) (that is, the free energy change for the same reaction with all components, including \(\mathrm{H}^{+},\) at a standard state of \(1 \mathrm{M}\) )?

Draw all possible resonance structures for creatine phosphate and discuss their possible effects on resonance stabilization of the molecule.

For the process \(A \equiv B, K_{c g}(A B)\) is 0.02 at \(37^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\). For the process \(\mathrm{B} \rightleftharpoons \mathrm{C}, K_{\mathrm{eq}}(\mathrm{BC})=1000\) at \(37^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\) a. Determine \(K_{\mathrm{rg}}(\mathrm{AC}),\) the equilibrium constant for the overall process \(A \rightleftharpoons C,\) from \(K_{c q}(A B)\) and \(K_{c g}(B C)\) b. Determine standardstate free energy changes for all three processes, and \(\mathrm{us}=\Delta G^{\circ}(\mathrm{AC})\) to determine \(K_{\mathrm{rg}}(\mathrm{AC}) .\) Make sure that this value agrees with that determined in part a of this problem.

See all solutions

Recommended explanations on Chemistry Textbooks

View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.

Sign-up for free