A prokaryotic species is facing a new environmental stressthat can be ameliorated by a catalytic activity that requiresthe side chain of a unique amino acid derivative called pyrovaline. How would such an organism develop a mechanism for the incorporation of this nonstandard amino acidinto an enzyme molecule? What would be the properties ofthe molecules required to solve this problem?
Electron Transport Chain
The electron transport chain, also known as the electron transport system, is a group of proteins that transfer electrons through a membrane within mitochondria to create a gradient of protons that drives adenosine triphosphate (ATP)synthesis. The cell uses ATP as an energy source for metabolic processes and cellular functions. ETC involves series of reactions that convert redox energy from NADH (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) + hydrogen (H)) and FADH2(flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD)) oxidation into proton-motive force(PMF), which is then used to synthesize ATP through conformational changes in the ATP synthase complex, a process known as oxidative phosphorylation.
Metabolism
Picture a campfire. It keeps the body warm on a cold night and provides light. To ensure that the fire keeps burning, fuel needs to be added(pieces of wood in this case). When a small piece is added, the fire burns bright for a bit and then dies down unless more wood is added. But, if too many pieces are placed at a time, the fire escalates and burns for a longer time, without actually burning away all the pieces that have been added. Many of them, especially the larger chunks or damp pieces, remain unburnt.
Cellular Respiration
Cellular respiration is the cellular process involved in the generation of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) molecules from the organic nutritional source obtained from the diet. It is a universal process observed in all types of life forms. The glucose (chemical formula C6H12O6) molecules are the preferred raw material for cell respiration as it possesses a simple structure and is highly efficient in nature.
A prokaryotic species is facing a new environmental stress
that can be ameliorated by a catalytic activity that requires
the side chain of a unique amino acid derivative called pyrovaline. How would such an organism develop a mechanism for the incorporation of this nonstandard amino acid
into an enzyme molecule? What would be the properties of
the molecules required to solve this problem?
Step by step
Solved in 2 steps
