02. Chemical and Cellular Basis of Life Flashcards
How many elements occur naturally on the earth’s crust?
92 elements occur naturally on the earth’s crust.
How many elements are essential to continue a healthy life and reproduction?
20-25% of elements are essential for a healthy life and reproduction.
What elements make up most of living matter?
Elements C, H, O, N make up 96% of living matter.
What elements make up 4% of the mass of an organism?
Ca, P, K, and S make up most of the remaining 4% of the mass of an organism.
What elements make up 96.3% of a human’s body mass?
C H O N
What elements make up the remaining 3.7% of a human’s body mass?
Elements - Ca, P, K, S, Na, Cl, Mg
Trace Elements - B, Co, Cu, Cr, F, I, Fe, Mo, Mn, Se, Si, Sn, V, Zn
Why chemical properties of water makes it important for life?
- It is a vital chemical constituent of the living cell
- It provides a biological medium for all organisms
Write 3 physical properties of water
Being a small, polar, and angular molecule
How do the properties of water arise?
The properties of water arise due to attractions of different water molecules. When water is in its liquid form H bonds are very fragile and the H bonds form, break and reform with great frequency.
Write the 4 major properties of water to maintain life related to functions
(CAVES)
1. Cohesive behavior
- Ability to moderate temperature
- Versatility as a solvent
- Expansion upon freezing
Write an example for cohesive behavior
Due to cohesion between water molecules, water and dissolved substances such as minerals and nutrients transport through vascular tissues, xylem and phloem against gravity.
Water has a high surface tension. This ability is given to water molecules, due to cohesion between the water molecules. In an aquatic system, upper surface water molecules are attracted by lower surface molecules and it forms a water film.
Small insects ( e.g. water skaters ) can walk on the surface of a pond.
Write an example for adhesive behavior
Adhesion between water molecules and cell walls also helps in conduction of water and dissolved substances
Write an example for water’s ability to moderate temperature
Evaporation of sweat from human skin helps to maintain the body temperature at constant level.
Transpiration in plants keeps the plant body surface as a cool surface and prevent from becoming too warm in the sunlight.
Due to the high specific heat, water will function as thermal buffer in living system and aquatic bodies during the temperature fluctuations on earth.
Due to the high heat of vaporization, with the minimum loss of water an organism can release much heat energy. Therefore, body surface of an organism maintained as cool surface.
e.g. Prevent from overheating.
Write an example for water’s property of expansion upon freezing
ice floats on the surface of water bodies. It is an important property of water in polar regions, where, organisms in aquatic bodies can survive during the winter.
Write an example for water’s property of versatility as a solvent
Polar molecules (e.g. Glucose), non-polar ionic (e.g. NaCl), both polar and ionic (e.g. lysozymes) can dissolve in water
Name the simplest formula of carbohydrate
(CH20)n
Name the simplest formula of carbohydrate
(CH20)n
According to number of carbons, name the types of carbohydrates
3C- Triose
4C- Tetroses
5C- Pentoses
6C- Hexoses
Name examples for triose
Glyceraldehydes (Phosphoglyceraldehyde is a derivative of
Triose)
Name an example tetrose
Erythrose (rare in nature)
Name an example for pentose
Ribose
Deoxyribose
Ribulose (RUBP is a derivative of ribulose)
Name an example for hexoses
Glucose
Fructose
Galactose
Name types of carbons according to their carbonyl groups
Aldoses-glucose, galactose
Ketoses-fructose
Name an example for aldoses
glucose
galactose
Name an example ketoses
fructose
Name features of polysaccharides
*macromolecules
*biopolymers
*Polysaccharides are made up of few hundred to a few thousand monosaccharide subunits
*They are non crystalline, water insoluble, and not considered as sugar
Name the types of polysaccharides based on their functions with examples
Storage- Starch, Glycogen
Structural- Cellulose, Hemicellulose, Pectin
Name the type of polysaccharide based on their architecture
Linear forms- Cellulose, Amylose
Branched forms- Glycogen, Amylopectin, Hemicellulose
Name the monomer and the function of starch
Glucose
stored in plants
What is the monomer of glycogen and its function
Glucose
stored in animals and fungi
What is the monomer of cellulose and its function
Glucose
Cellulose in the cell walls of plants and chlorophytes
What is the monomer of inulin and its function
Fructose
stored in the dhalia tubers
What is the monomer of pectin and its function?
Glactouronic acid
Component of middle lamellae of the plant cell wall
What is the monomer and the function of Hemicellulose?
Pentose
Component of the plant cell wall
What is the monomer and the function of Hemicellulose?
Pectin
Component of the plant cell wall
What is the monomer of Chitin?
Glucosamine
Component of the fungal cell wall and the exoskeleton of the arthropods
What is the nitrogen containing polymer?
Chitin
Name the functions of monosaccharaides
Energy source
Building blocks of disaccharides and polysaccharides (disaccharides such as maltose, sucrose and polysaccharides such as starch, glycogen)
Components of nucleotides (DNA, RNA)
Name the functions of monosaccharaides
Energy source
Building blocks of disaccharides and polysaccharides (disaccharides such as maltose, sucrose and polysaccharides such as starch, glycogen)
Components of nucleotides (DNA, RNA)
What are the functions of disaccharides
Storage sugar in milk- Lactose
• Translocation in phloem –Sucrose
• Storage sugar in sugarcane- Sucrose
What are the properties of lipids?
Diverse group of hydrophobic molecules
Large biological molecules but not considered as polymers or macromolecules.
Consist of C, H, O and H:O ratio is not 2:1. Comparatively more H are present.
Biologically important types of lipids: Fats, Phospholipids and Steroids.
How is triacylglycerol molecule is formed?
Fatty acid molecules bind to each hydroxyl group of glycerol by ester bond. Resulting
fat molecules are called as triacylglycerol.
Name an example for saturated fatty acids
butter
Name an example for unsaturated fatty acid
vegetable oils. Unsaturated fats may classify based on the nature of their double bonds.
a) Cis Unsaturated fat
b) Trans Unsaturated fat
What leads to atherosclerosis?
Consumption of excess saturated fats and trans unsaturated fats contribute arthrosclerosis.
What are phospholipid molecules made out of?
two fatty acids
one phosphate group attached to one glycerol molecule.
What does the phosphate molecule give the phospholipid molecule?
gives the additional negative electrical charge to the molecule
What is linked to the phosphate group of the phospholipid molecule?
an
additional polar molecule or small charged molecule is also linked to the phosphate
group e.g. choline.
How does the phospholipid molecule show different behaviour?
The two ends of the phospholipids show different behavior.
The hydrocarbon tails are
hydrophobic while phosphate group
its attachment (head) are hydrophilic.
What are the functions of lipids?
Food reserve as energy source (triglycerides such as fats and oils)
maintain the fluidity of plasma membrane (phospholipids, cholesterol)
act as signaling molecules (eg. Hormones) that travel through the body
• found as components of animal cell membrane (cholesterol)
What are the monomers of proteins?
Amino acids
Name the elemental composition of proteins
C, H,O,N and S
What is the amino acid molecule composed of?
amino group
a carboxyl group
a hydrogen atom
a variable group symbolized by R, which is an alkyl group.
What part of amino acid differs with each amino acid?
group also called the ‘side chain’ differs with each amino acid where as the other groups are in the ‘ back bone
What part of amino acid differs with each amino acid?
group also called the ‘side chain’ differs with each amino acid where as the other groups are in the ‘ back bone
What are amphoteric amino acids?
When both characteristics are found in one molecule they are known as amphoteric molecules.
How does a peptide bond form?
Two Amino acids undergo condensation reaction by removing a water molecule from both and result a bond known as peptide bond
Give an example for secondary proteins
Alpha helix- e.g.Keratin.
β pleated sheet e.g.spider’s silk fi ber
Give an example for tertiary structure of proteins
most of the enzymes, myoglobin, albumin
Give an example for quaternary structure of protein
Hemoglobin
Collagen
What are interactions occurring between side chain/ R group of tertiary proteins?
H bonds
Disulphide bonds
Ionic bonds
Van der Waals interactions/ Hydrophobic interactions
What are the interactions occurring in the secondary structure of protein?
Intra molecular hydrogen bonds between the oxygen atoms and the hydrogen atoms attached to the nitrogen atoms, of the same poly peptide chain backbone,
What are the type of bonds seen in tertiary structure of proteins’ side chain?
teractions between the side chain/ R-group of amino acids;
• H bonds
• Disulphide bonds
• Ionic bonds
• Van der Waals interactions/ Hydrophobic interactions
What type of interactions occur in the quaternary structures of proteins?
By inter and intra-molecular interactions.
What are the factors affecting denaturation?
1.High temperature and high energy radiation
- Strong acids, alkaline and high concentrations of salts
- Heavy metals
- Organic solvents and detergents
What are the types of proteins present according to their functions?
- Catalytic proteins
2.Structural proteins - Storage proteins
- Transport proteins
- Hormones
- Contractile/ motor proteins
- Defense proteins
Give an example and a function of catalytic protein
Pepsin, Amylase
Catalyze the biochemical reaction.
Name an example and functions of structural proteins
Keratin - Prevent desiccation
Collagen - Provide strength and support
Name an example and a function of storage proteins
Ovalbumin Storage protein in egg
Casein- Storage protein in milk
Name an example and the function of transport proteins
Hemoglobin - Transport O2 and CO2
serum albumin - Transport of fatty fats
Name an example of hormone and a function of the hormone
Insulin - Regulate blood glucose level
Glucagon
Name an example and a function of contractile/ motor protein
Actin and Myosin proteins - contraction of muscle fibers
Name an example of defense protein and its function
Immunoglobins- Eliminate foreign bodies
Name the monomer of nucleic acids
nucleotides
What are the elemental composition of nucleic acids?
C,H,O,N,P
What are the two types of nucleic acids?
- DNA
2.RNA
What the three components of nucleic acids
- pentose sugar
- Nitrogenase base
3.Phosphate group
What is a nucleotide without a phosphate group
Nucleoside
(Adenosine, Guanosine)
What are the two types of nitrogenous bases according to the size?
- purines (larger)
2.pyrimidines (smaller)
What is the difference between purines and pyrimidine?
- Purines- larger in size with two rings
- Pyrimidines- smaller in size with a single ring
what are the functions of DNA?
Store and transmit genetic information from one generation to the next generation
• Store the genetic information for protein synthesis
What are the three types of RNA
- Messenger RNA (mRNA)
- Transfer RNA (tRNA)
- Ribosomal RNA (rRNA)
What are the functions of mRNA (least abundant)?
• Copies the genetic information stored in DNA molecule as a sequence of
nitrogenous bases
• Transports genetic information from nucleoplasam to the site of protein synthesis
(ribosome) through nucleopores
What is the function of tRNA?(Linear, but forms three- looped structure)
transportation of amino acids to the site of protein synthesis.
Explain the structure of R-RNA?
It is the most abundant type of RNA.
rRNA has a complex irregular structure.
It provides the site where polypeptide chains are assembled
What is the function of RRNA
It provides the site where polypeptide chains are assembled
What are the differences between DNA and RNA?
- DNA is double stranded molecule while RNA is a single stranded molecule.
- DNA consists of A, T, G and C and absence of U, while RNA consists of A,U, G and C and absence of T
- Sugar molecule in RNA is ribose, while in DNA it is deoxyribose.
What are Nucleotides other than those found in nucleic acids?
ATP, NAD+, NADP+, FAD
What are Nucleotides other than those found in nucleic acids?
ATP, NAD+, NADP+, FAD
What is the function of ATP?
Universal energy carrier
What is the Functions of NAD+?
• Act as a coenzyme
• Act as an electron carrier
• Function as an oxidizing agent during respiration
What is the function of NADP+?
• Act as coenzymes
• Act as an electron carrier
• NADP+ act as a reducing agent in photosynthesis
What is the function of FAD?
• Act as a coenzyme
• Act as an electron carrier
What nucleotides act as coenzymes?
NAD+
NADP+
FAD
What nucleotides act as electron carriers?
NAD+
NADP+
FAD
What are the two types of microscopes?
- Transmission electron microscopes (TEM)
- Scanning electron microscopes(SEM)
What is the weakness of the light microscope?
The limitation imposed upon the resolution power of the light microscope by the
wavelength of light. The resolution power is inversely proportional to the wavelength.
Due to this, scientists considered the use of other forms of radiations with comparatively
shorter wavelengths.
As a result, electron microscopes were developed. In electron microscopy, a beam of
electrons is focused through the specimen or on to its surface.
What is the difference between TEM and SEM?
TEM: It is used to study the internal structures of cells.
In this microscope, a beam of electrons is passed through a thin, especially prepared slice of material.
A very thin specimen is used. Specimens stained with heavy metals which attach more to certain cellular
structures than other areas.
SEM: In this instrument, a fine beam of electrons is reflected from the surface of specimen.
Specimen is mostly coated with gold prior to observation.
Here the specimen scatters many electrons whereas others are absorbed.
This instrument is ideal to observe the
surface view in three dimensional appearances.
What is the difference between light and electron microscope?
Light Microscope
Glass lenses are used to focus the light rays
Actual color of the object can be observed
Living and non living objects can be observed
Dyes used to stain the object
Image is directly detected by naked eye
Electron microscope
Powerful magnets are used to focus beam of electrons
Not directrly detected by naked eye, micrographs are used
Actual color cannot be observed.
Images are developed
Heavy metals are used to stain the object
Robert Hooke
examined a cork using simple microscope and gave the term
“CELL” to describe the basic units.
Anton Van Leeuwenhook
a contemporary of Robert Hooke, was the first to describe and record living single celled organisms, Euglena & bacteria
Matthias Schleiden
a botanist, studying plant tissues concluded that all plants are made up of cells.
Theodore Schwann
a zoologist concluded that animal tissues are also made up of cells.
Rudolf Virchow
showed that all cells arise from pre-existing cells by cell division,
Schleiden, Schwann and Virchow presented the ‘Cell Theory’ which includes?
1.All organisms are composed of one or more cells.
2.The basic structural and functional unit of organisms is the cell.
3.All cells arise from pre-existing cells.
All cells share certain basic features. They are;
• All cells are bounded by a plasma membrane which is a selective barrier
• Within the cell have, a semifluid, jelly like substance which is called cytosol. Subcellular components are suspended within the cytosol.
• They carry DNA as genetic materials.
• Ribosomes are found in all cells
What are examples for prokaryotes and eukaryotes
Bacteria, Cyanobacteria and Achaea are prokaryotic cells. All the other organisms
have eukaryotic cells.
What are the features of eukaryotes?
Eukaryotes: DNA is linear and contained in a nucleus. DNA is associated with proteins
& Both 70s (Mitochondria and Chloroplast) and 80s ribosomes (larger) present (may attach to endoplasmic reticulum)
Mitosis, meiosis, or both;
1.8 billion years ago ,evolved from prokaryotes
Mainly multicellular (except most of protista and some fungi are unicellular)
Protists, Fungi, plants, animals are examples of this
10µm-100µm diameter is the cell size.
None have the ability to undergo Nitrogen fixation
Mitochondria for aerobic respiration
Chloroplasts containing membranes which are usually stacked into lamellae or grana
Flagella: Complex, with ‘9+2’ arrangement of microtubules; intracellular (surrounded by cell surface membrane) 200nm diameter
Cell walls: Cell walls of green plants and fungi are rigid and contain polysaccharides; cellulose in plant cell walls and chitin in fungal walls (none in animal cells)
Organelles: Many organelles, membrane bounded organelles present. Great diversity of organelles.
e.g. nucleus, mitochondria, chloroplasts
bounded by two membranes.
e.g. Lysosomes, Vacuole, bounded by
single membrane
What are the features of prokaryotes?
Bacteria, Archaebacteria
Average diameter 1-5µm
Mainly unicellular
3.5 billion years ago originated
Binary fission, no mitosis and meiosis
DNA is circular and lies free in the cytoplasm. This region is called nucleoid, DNA is naked
and not associated with proteins
70s ribosome (smaller)
No chloroplasts; takes place on membranes which show no stacking
Some have the ability of N2 fixation
Respiration: Mostly by mesosomes
Flagella: Simple, lacking microtubules; extracellular (not enclosed by cell surface membrane) 20nm diameter
Cell walls: Peptidoglycan present in Bacteria and cyanobacteria, polysaccharide and protein present in
Archae bacteria
Organelles: Few organelles, none are surrounded by membrane Internal membranes scarces; if present usually associated
with respiration, photosynthesis and N2 fixation
What is the plasma membrane composed of?
• Phospholipids (most abundant type of lipid in plasma membrane)
• Protein
What are the functions of the plasma membrane?
• The plasma membrane surrounds the cytoplasm of living cell physically
separating the intracellular components from the extracellular environment.
• Plasma membrane is selectively permeable and able to regulate the exchange of
material needed for survival.
• Proteins embedded in the plasma membrane identify the cell, enabling nearby
cells to communicate with each other (involved in cell recognition).
• Some protein molecules act as receptor molecules for interacting with specific
biochemical, such as hormones, neurotransmitters and immune proteins.
• Some proteins in the cell membrane attach to some cytoskeletal fibers and help to maintain the shape of the cell.
• Some proteins in the membrane act as enzymes. (e.g. Microvillus on epithelial
cell lining of some parts of the gut contains digestive enzymes in their cell
surface membrane.)
What are the functions of the nucleus?
• Control all cellular activities.
• Synthesize DNA to produce new nuclei for cell divisions.
• Synthesize rRNAs and ribosomal subunits required for protein synthesis, through
nucleolus.
• Synthesize mRNA and tRNA according to the information present on the DNA.
• Store and transport genetic information.
What are the two types of ribosomes?
70s
80s
Where can we find ribosomes?
70S ribosomes are found freely on the cytoplasm of prokaryotes, matrix of mitochondria and stroma of chloroplasts.
80S ribosomes are found only in eukaryotes.
What is the function of ribosomes?
Protein synthesis
What is the function of RER?
• Transport protein synthesized by ribosomes
• Synthesizing glycoproteins
• Produce transport vesicles
• Facilitate the growth of own membrane by adding phospholipids proteins and
carbohydrates. Therefore called as membrane factory
function of SER….
• It synthesizes lipids including oils, steroids and phospholipids.
• Metabolism of carbohydrates.
• Produce transport vesicles to transport within cell.
• Involves in detoxifi cation.
• Stores Ca2+ ions.
Function of golgi…
• Collecting, packaging and distribution of materials
• Manufacturing cellulose and non cellulose cell wall components such as pectin
• Produce lysosomes
functions of lysosomes…
• Digest food particles received by phagocytosis
• Transport residue material out of cell by exocytosis.
• Digest worn out organelles
• Autolysis causing cell death.
function of peroxisome
Detoxification of peroxides
• Photorespiration in plants
Where can we find specialized peroxisomes?
Specialized peroxysomes called glyoxysomes are found in fat storing tissues in plants.
Glyoxysomes converts fatty acids into sugar.
Where can we find specialized peroxisomes?
Specialized peroxysomes called glyoxysomes are found in fat storing tissues in plants.
Glyoxysomes converts fatty acids into sugar.
What does the mitochondrial matrix contain?
The inner most part of the organelle
is known as mitochondrial matrix, which consists of 70 s ribosomes circular DNA, molecule (mitochondrial DNA), phosphate granules and enzymes.
What are the enzymes of the mitochondria and what are their functions?
The matrix carries enzymes for the reactions in Krebs cycle (in cellular respiration). Further, cristae
composed of proteins and enzymes essential for electron transport chain and oxidative
phosphorylation.
What is the function of mitochondria?
• Synthesize ATP in aerobic respiration
• Involve in Photorespiration
What are found in the stroma of the chloroplast?
circular DNA (chloroplast DNA), 70s ribosomes, many enzymes, starch granules and lipid droplets.