Question

in this graph, the ball with a p represents a phosphate group or the entire atp molecule. the solid line represents the actual reactants of the reaction, and the dotted line represents what the free energy of the reactants would be if they were missing the p.
suppose that reactant a again represents an amino acid and that b represents a growing protein - meaning that the reaction graphed here is the formation of a peptide bond between a and b.
which statements correctly describe the information communicated in the graph? select all that apply.
a phosphorylation reaction has been \coupled\ to what otherwise would be a nonspontaneous reaction.
the reactants have higher free energy than the products, so the reaction is spontaneous.
this graph shows what happens when a protein becomes degraded - meaning that is breaks apart into individual amino acids.
reactant a has become phosphorylated.
its reasonable to predict that analogous events occur when rna, dna, phospholipids, carbohydrates, and other large molecules are being made in cells
did you fully understand the concept covered in this

Explanation:

• Phosphorylation is coupled to non - spontaneous reactions (like peptide bond formation). Peptide bond formation (A + B → A - B + P) is non - spontaneous without energy input. ATP (with P) provides energy. So, a phosphorylation reaction is coupled.
• When large molecules (RNA, DNA, etc.) are made, similar energy - requiring (non - spontaneous) reactions occur. They need energy input (like from ATP, analogous to the P in the graph).
• Reactant A is phosphorylated (as it is part of the reaction where P is involved in the energy - coupling mechanism for the non - spontaneous reaction of peptide bond formation).

• The graph shows reactants (A + B) with lower free energy than products (A - B + P) (solid line). So, the reaction (as A + B → A - B + P) is non - spontaneous (not spontaneous as in option 2).
• The graph shows formation (A + B → A - B + P, peptide bond formation), not degradation (which would be reverse, A - B + P→A + B).

Answer:

A. A phosphorylation reaction has been "coupled" to what otherwise would be a nonspontaneous reaction.
D. Reactant A has become phosphorylated.
E. It's reasonable to predict that analogous events occur when RNA, DNA, phospholipids, carbohydrates, and other large molecules are being made in cells.