2.1 Molecules to Metabolism

Question 1

Define molecular biology

Answer 1

A field of study that investigates biological activity on a molecular level

Question 2

Define an organic compound

Answer 2

Contains carbon and is in living things

except carbides, carbonate, oxides of carbon and cyanides

Question 3

What is the common ratio for carbohydrates?

Answer 3

(CH2O)n

Question 4

Which is the most abundant hydrocarbon?

Answer 4

Carbohydrates

Question 5

What are the functions of carbohydrates?

Answer 5

Short-term energy storage
Important recognition molecules
As a structural components (DNA/RNA)

Question 6

What are properties of lipids?

Answer 6

Non-polar

Hydrophobic

Question 7

Why are lipids good for storage of energy?

Answer 7

They are hydrophobic and thus do not absorb water

Question 8

What are the functions of lipids?

Answer 8

Part of a cell membrane
Long-term storage molecule
Signalling molecule (steroids)

Question 9

What are the building blocks for DNA and RNA?

Answer 9

Nucleic acids

Question 10

What is the function of DNA?

Answer 10

A master code for protein assembly

Question 11

What is the function of RNA?

Answer 11

Plays an active role in the manufacturing of proteins

Question 12

What are the functions of proteins?

Answer 12

Involved in catalysis
Structural molecules
Cellular signalling

Question 13

What is the polymer of lipids?

Answer 13

Triglyceride

Question 14

What is the monomer of lipids?

Answer 14

Fatty acids

Question 15

What is the monomer of carbohydrates?

Answer 15

Monosaccharide

Question 16

What are the 2 main types of sugars?

Answer 16

Pentose and Hexose

Question 17

What type of sugar is glucose?

Answer 17

Hexose

Question 18

What type of sugar is ribose?

Answer 18

Pentose

Question 19

Name 2 types of glucose?

Answer 19

a - D glucose

B - D glucose

Question 20

Describe the structure of an a - D glucose

Answer 20

The 1 C has an OH facing downwards (all OH face down)

Question 21

Describe the structure of a B - D glucose

Answer 21

The 1 C has an OH facing upwards

Question 22

Describe the structure of lipids

Answer 22

There is no set structure as it varies. However, many do contain fatty acid chains as a part of this overall structure.

Question 23

Describe the structure of a fatty acid

Answer 23

Has a C=O-OH end (carboxyl group) and the rest is a simple alkane hydrocarbon structure

Question 24

What do we call an amino acid polymer?

Answer 24

Polypeptide

Question 25

Describe an amino acid

Answer 25

Has an amine group (N-H2) and a carboxyl group (C=O-OH) on ether end coming off a central carbon. This carbon also has a H molecule and a variable R molecule bonded to it.

Question 26

What is the monomer of nucleic acid?

Answer 26

Nucleotide

Question 27

Describe a generalised structure of a generalised nucleotide

Answer 27

A phosphate group, bonded to a ribose sugar, bonded to a nitrogenous base

Question 28

What do we call a polymer made of sugars?

Answer 28

Polysaccharide

Question 29

Name 3 polymers of glucose

Answer 29

Glycogen Cellulose Starch

Question 30

What are the 3 categories of lipids?

Answer 30

Simple (neutral) lipids Compound lipids Derived lipids

Question 31

What are simple (neutral) lipids?

Answer 31

Esters of fatty acids and alcohol (e.g. triglycerides and waxes)

Question 32

What are compound lipids?

Answer 32

Esters of fatty acids, alcohol and additional groups (e.g. phospholipids and glycolipids)

Question 33

What are derived proteins?

Answer 33

Substances derived from simple or compound lipids (e.g. steroids and carotenoids)

Question 34

Describe the structure of a triglyceride

Answer 34

A glycerol molecule with 3 fatty acids attached

Question 35

Describe the structure of a phospholipid

Answer 35

A glycerol with 2 fatty acids attached and one phosphate group

Question 36

Describe the rough structure of a steroid

Answer 36

Made of fused hydrocarbon rings

Question 37

What type of bond holds amino acids together?

Answer 37

Peptide bonds between amine and carboxyl groups of adjacent amino acids

Question 38

How do dipeptides form?

Answer 38

Amino acids undergo condensation

Question 39

What is vitalism

Answer 39

A doctrine that dictated that organic molecules could only be synthesised by living systems

Question 40

When and how was vitalism disproved?

Answer 40

1828 - Fredrick Woehler heated inorganic salt and produced urea

Question 41

Define metabolism

Answer 41

Describes the totality of chemical processes that occur within an organism to maintain life

Question 42

What are the functions of metabolic reactions?

Answer 42

Provide energy for cellular purposes | Enable the synthesis of new materials within the cell

Question 43

Define an anabolic reaction?

Answer 43

Describes the set of metabolic reactions that build up the complex molecules from simpler ones

Question 44

Via what mechanism do anabolic reactions usually occur?

Answer 44

Condensation reactions

Question 45

What joins monosaccharides?

Answer 45

Glyosidic linkages

Question 46

What joins amino acids?

Answer 46

Peptide bonds

Question 47

What joins glycerol and fatty acids?

Answer 47

Ester linkages

Question 48

What does 1 glycerol and 3 fatty acids form?

Answer 48

A triglyceride

Question 49

What joins nucleotides?

Answer 49

Phosphodiester bond

Question 50

What is characteristic about a condensation reaction?

Answer 50

Water is released

Question 51

Define catabolic reactions

Answer 51

Describes the set of metabolic reactions that break complex molecules down into simpler molecules

Question 52

Via what mechanism do catabolic reactions usually occur?

Answer 52

Hydrolysis reaction