Name: CHANVIR V.

LAPUZ Strand: STEM Grade & Section: 12- Mantiris

Subject: GENERAL BIOLOGY I

MY JOURNAL

In this module, I have gained knowledge in relation with the structure and
functions of biological molecules such as enzymes. As indicated in the module,
enzymes are introduced as the catalyst which enables the chemical reaction to
proceed at a usually faster rate under different conditions which usually
occurred in biochemical reactions like digestion. As well as enzymes could also
be considered as the complex and conjugated proteins that can be classified
into three, namely; the catabolic enzymes that break down their substrates (a
reactant that binds to an enzyme), anabolic enzymes which function is to build
more complex molecules from their substrates and, the catalytic enzymes that
affect the rate of reaction. Almost enzymes are proteins that are made up of
chains of amino acids. On the other hand, enzymes has its own active site and
specificity wherein the enzyme’s active site can be identified as the location
within the enzyme where the substrate binds and it is where the action
happens at the same time. In addition, enzyme has a unique combination of
amino acid residues (side chains) that possessed variety of attributes that
creates a very specific chemical environment within the active site where in
that specific environment is suited to bind, albeit briefly to a specific chemical
substrate. Enzymes are known for their specificity due to the jigsaw puzzle-like
match between an enzyme and its substrates. I have also learned in this
module that the enzyme-substrate binding is not as simple as we think just a
lock-and- key fashion the fact that current research discovered how the
enzyme-substrate binding took place through the representation of the
induced-fit model by describing the dynamic interaction between enzyme and
substrate. Moreover, there are factors that are affecting the activity of the
enzymes such as temperature, pH, and concentration. Upon reading the
module, I have also gained information with the essential reactions involving
electrons which is the reduction/oxidation (REDOX) Reactions which is I found
the fact that when the compounds reduced means they accept electrons while
if they lose electrons it means it is oxidized. Along with the process there is also
called a reducing agent- a compound that reduces another as well as an
oxidizing agent- a compound that oxidizes another. Furthermore, the ATP-ADP
cycle was also described in this module and as far as I’ve understood with the
topic, I have discovered that the ATP plays a vital role in cellular processes the
fact that is considered as the “energy currency” of the cell that can be used to
fill any energy need of the cell. The function of the ATP was compared to how
the rechargeable battery functions. Throughout the topic, I got familiarized
with the various processes that occur during the cycle which includes the
dephosphorylation where as there is a repulsion that makes the ADP and ATP
molecules inherently unstable and the release of one or two phosphate groups
from ATP that releases energy. Hydrolysis is also described as the process of
breaking complex macromolecules apart. I have also learned the process of
phosphorylation, substrate phosphorylation and the oxidative phosphorylation
which are included to the essential processes that enable the ATP-ADP cycle
possible and for the ATP to carry out its function along with the energy-related
cellular activities. Further, photosynthesis together with its vital complex
processes has been introduced in this module. Photosynthesis has been
already discussed in previous grade levels but as going through this given
module I have found that photosynthesis is not just a piece of cake to
understand just like how it was being discussed in the previous grade levels
considering that it gone through lots of process from the absorption of light
energy up to how it releases oxygen as an excess of the cycle. Not just the
processes are being indicated but as well as how the pigments and structures
of plant cells functions in order to make the process possible. To sum up it up,
I would like to convey my reflection with the learning and knowledge I have
gained with this module. Through reading the definition, descriptions and
illustrations given in the module, I have realized that sometimes we forgot how
to appreciate such circumstances without knowing it has a great contribution
the way we live our life in this world. Science has great impact in line with the
descriptions of these processes with the perseverance of the scientists and
researchers who are trying to decipher even the very single detail that occurred
in this world in order to provide systematic explanations that may become
basis for future discoveries of the next succeeding generations. To be honest,
I’m not a genius or someone who’s smart enough to easily understand the topic
so making this journal gives me a little bit hard time knowing that I should
understand and read tenfold times the very single detail in every explained
processes so that I could understand the concept that is trying to convey with
this module to its learners.