Mulungushi University

School of Medicine and Health Sciences

MBChB program
Biochemistry MBI 261
2nd Year 1st semester TUTORIAL II
Prepared by Masenga SK., BSc., MSc., MSCI-CT
50 marks total
1. Given that the temperature of the reaction Glucose-6-phosphate → Fructose-6-phosphate ΔGo =
+1.7 is 36.85oC at equilibrium.
a) Calculate the equilibrium constant (K) for the reaction below (2 marks)
b) Calculate the concentration of fructose-6-phosphate at equilibrium under standard conditions (i.e.
for initial concentrations of 1 M). (5 marks)
c) Will the concentration of fructose-6-phosphate at equilibrium be less than that of glucose-6-
phosphate? (4 marks)
glucose-6-phosphate → fructose-6-phosphate
Solution
a) In Keq is natural log of the reaction quotient (InQ), this applies when ΔG = 0 and so Q=K,
since ΔG = ΔG0 + RT InQ thus 0= ΔG0 + RT InQ therefore ΔG0= ‒RT InK
remember Temperature must be in Kelvin; 36.85oC + 273.15 = 310K
ΔG0= ‒RT InK; therefore 1700 = -8.314 X 310 InK
InK = -0.6596
K = exp (-0.6596) =0.52 ~0.5

b)
ICE glucose-6-phosphate [M] fructose-6-phosphate [M]
Initial 1 1
Change -x +x
Equilibrium 1-x 1+x
Remember we add the change to initial concentrations of the product and subtract from reactants as the reactants
must decrease in stoichiometric intervals
Equilibrium expression is written as concentrations of product divided by reactants.
{𝑃𝑟𝑜𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑡}
K=
{𝑅𝑒𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑠}
1+𝑥
0.5 = = ; 0.5-0.5x = 1+x ; -1.5x = 0.5 therefore x = -0.333
1−𝑥
So the concentration of fructose-6-phosphate at equilibrium is 1 + (-0.333) = 0.667M

c) The concentration of glucose-6-phosphate at equilibrium is 1-(-0.333) = 1.333M. So the

concentration of fructose-6-phosphate at equilibrium will be less than that of glucose-6-phosphate

2. Most reactions necessary for life are unfavorable, or do not proceed at an appreciable rate under
physiological conditions. How do cells overcome this problem?
Solution:
They use several mechanisms such as
― Enzymes,
― concentration gradients
― coupling unfavorable reactions with favorable ones, including
― using the common energy currency, ATP.

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 Mulungushi University
School of Medicine and Health Sciences
MBChB program
Biochemistry MBI 261
2nd Year 1st semester TUTORIAL II
Prepared by Masenga SK., BSc., MSc., MSCI-CT
3.
a) When discussing energy of biological compounds or molecules, Where is this energy stored? (2
marks)
Solution: The energy is stored in the bonds of the reactants and product molecules.
b) In terms of reactants and products relating with energy state, what is a favorable reaction?
What would ΔG be for a thermodynamically favorable reaction? (2 marks)
Solution: A favorable, or exergonic, reaction is one in which the energy state of reactants is
higher than that of the products (ΔG<0).
c) In terms of reactants and products relating with energy state, what is an unfavorable reaction?
What would ΔG be for a thermodynamically unfavorable reaction? (2 marks)
Solution: An unfavorable, or endergonic, reaction is the one in which the energy state of the products is
higher than that of the reactants (ΔG>0).
d) What is the strategy used by the cell to drive thermodynamically unfavorable reactions? (2
marks)
Solution: In the cell, energetically unfavorable reactions are often coupled with favorable ones, such
that the new overall reaction is favorable.
4.

a) Why would not all thermodynamically favorable reactions proceed on their own? (2 marks)

Solution: Some reactions with negative ΔG still do not proceed at an appreciable rate. This is
usually because some intermediate is in a significantly higher energy state than the reactants. The
difference between the energy state of the reactants and such an intermediate is known as activation
energy (Ea).

b) Label the activation energy and explain how the presence and absence of enzymes affect this (3
marks)
Solution: enzymes lower activation energy (Ea). absence might require energy input
c) Is the equilibrium of the reaction affected by the action of a catalyst? Why or why not? (3
marks)
Solution: The equilibrium of the reaction (relative concentrations of reactants and products) is not
affected by the presence of the catalyst. This is because the equilibrium is determined by the amount of
energy available to perform the work of converting reactants to products and vice versa. Since the
energy is stored in the bonds, it is independent of the path the reaction takes, or the rate at which it
occurs.

Page 2 of 4
 Mulungushi University
School of Medicine and Health Sciences
MBChB program
Biochemistry MBI 261
2nd Year 1st semester TUTORIAL II
Prepared by Masenga SK., BSc., MSc., MSCI-CT

5. Show on a diagram, the Vmax of hexokinase and glucokinase and contrast by statement, the affinity
and Km of these enzymes for glucose in mmol/l (8 marks)
Solution;
― Hexokinase has a high affinity (low Km) for glucose and glucokinase vice versa
The Km for glucose of hexokinase is 0.05 mmol/L and of glucokinase is 10 mmol/L.

6. Below is the energy diagram for the reaction C+D →A+B.

a) On the energy diagram below, label the following: Ea ,ΔG, A+B, C+D (4 marks)

b) Based on the diagram above, circle the correct ΔG value: ΔG<0 ΔG=0 ΔG>0 (1
mark)

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 Mulungushi University
School of Medicine and Health Sciences
MBChB program
Biochemistry MBI 261
2nd Year 1st semester TUTORIAL II
Prepared by Masenga SK., BSc., MSc., MSCI-CT
c) How would the enzyme change
i. ΔG? Explain (2 marks)
Solution: ΔG is unffected by the presence of an enzyme. This is because it is a thermodynamic property
of the reaction, and is determined by the amount of energy available to perform the work of converting
reactants to products and vice versa. Since the energy is stored in the bonds, it is independent of the
path the reaction takes, or the rate at which it occurs.
ii. Ea? Explain (2 marks)
Solution: Activation energy will be lower in the presence of the enzyme. Enzymes lower the activation
energy of the reaction, allowing it to proceed.
iii. speed of reaction? Explain (2 marks)
The rate of reaction is affected. Reactants reach the transition state due to random fluctuations in
energy caused by molecular motion. If Ea is lowered, much less energy is required to reach it, so more
molecules will be able to do so, and the rate of the reaction will increase.

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