1.3. Molecular biology Flashcards
Molecular biology explains…
…living (metabolic) processes in terms of chemical substances that are involved in them.
metabolic processes
- all biochemical processes inside of a body
- can be catabolic or anabolic
- consist of many reactions (steps), each being catalyzed by a specific enzyme (usually very slow)
anabolic reaction
simple substance into complex (has to gain E before reacting) - e.g. protein synthesis (DNA creation)
catabolic reaction
complex substance into simple (releases E) - e.g. oxygen breaking down glucose (cell respiration)
Why is carbon so important for organic substances?
- was very abundant in the past
- it can create 4 covalent bonds (maximal coordination) which is the max. no for all elements
- can form double or triple c.b.
- can form long and short chains
- can create different shapes (linear, hexagon…)
- can form branched and unbranched chains
- this creates a large variety of stable compounds (chh.,+, proteins, lipids…)
Which compunds contain C but are not organic?
CO2, CO3^2- (carbonates), HCO3^- (hydrogencarbonates)
What type of molecules are organic life molecules?
macromolecules (large) - made out of small, simple subunits called monomers (building blocks)
Number of branching points determines the ___, the ___ determines the ____.
shape, shape, function (e.g. cellulose no branches, not soluble, structural function)
dehydration/condensation
- polymer formation reaction
- reducing the number of molecules by joining them (condensation)
- anabolic reaction
- water is removed/product (dehydration); a new bond is formed
- E should be invested
monomer + monomer =
dimer
hydrolysis
- polymer breakdown reaction
- increasing the no. of mol.
- catabolic reaction
- water has to be introduced
- E released/product
