In: Chemistry
1. Two reactions involving L-amino acids and the values of their respective free-energy changes are as follows:
Glutamate + pyruvate « a-ketoglutarate + alanine
DG°‘ = -2.4 kcal/mol
Glutamate + oxaloacetate « a-ketoglutarate + aspartate
DG°‘ = -11.5 kcal/mol
a) Write the overall reaction for production of alanine and oxaloacetate from aspartate and pyruvate.
b) Show that under standard conditions the net formation of alanine and oxaloacetate from aspartate and pyruvate is thermodynamically unfavorable.
c) Suppose that at 25 °C, the molar concentrations of reactants and products are as follows:
[pyruvate] = [aspartate] = 10 -2 M
[alanine] = 10-4 M
[oxaloacetate] = 10-5 M
Is the spontaneous synthesis of alanine and oxaloacetate possible under these conditions?