2.1 Metabolism molecules

Question 1

Define metabolism

Answer 1

METABOLISM: the web of all enzyme-catalysed reactions in a cell/organism

Question 2

Define anabolism

Answer 2

ANABOLISM: synthesis of macromolecules from monomers by CONDENSATION reactions

Question 3

Define catabolism

Answer 3

CATABOLISM: breakdown of macromolecules into monomers by hydrolysis reactions

Question 4

Main classes of organic compounds

Answer 4

1. Carbohydrates: CHO, short-term E storage, recognition - glycoproteins, structural component of RNA/DNA
2. Proteins: CHONS, catalysis, cellular signalling, DNA packing
3. Lipids: hydrophobic, long-term E storage, component of membranes
4. Nucleic acids: genetic material, code for protein synthesis

Question 5

Organic subunits

Answer 5

1. Carbohydrates: glucose, galactose, fructose (glycosidic linkages)
2. Proteins: am. a. (20 standard)
3. Lipids: no common monomer but fatty acid chains in triglycerides, phospholipids, waxes
4. Nucleic acids: nucleotides (consists of pentose, phosphate, nitrogenous base)

Question 6

Generalised amino acid structure

Answer 6

Question 7

Generalised nucleotide structure

Answer 7

Question 8

Generalised fatty acid structure

Answer 8

Question 9

Glucose dimers

Answer 9

1. Maltose: 2 glucose
2. Sucrose: glucose + fructose
3. Lactose: glucose + galactose

Question 10

Glucose polymers

Answer 10

1. Cellulose
2. Starch
3. Glycogen
4. Chitin

Question 11

Triglyceride

Answer 11

3 fatty acid chains + glycerol by ester bonds - fomed by condensation reaction - 3 H2O forms

Question 12

Formation of dipeptides

Answer 12

Dipeptides formed from amino acids in condensation reaction - peptide bond formed

Question 13

Flasification of vitalism

Answer 13

Vitalism: organic compounds can only be synthesised by living systems (vital force)

FALSIFIED: organic molecules can be artificially synthesied

Frederick Woehler (1828) synthesised urea: heated inorganic ammonium cyanate