2.1 Molecules to metabolism

Question 1

What is the purpose of molecular biology?

Answer 1

it explains the living processes in terms of the chemical substances involved

Question 2

Carbon atoms

Answer 2

form four covalent bonds allowing a diversity of stable compounds to exist

Question 3

Life

Answer 3

is based on four carbon compounds including carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and nucleic acids

Question 4

Metabolism

Answer 4

the sum of all reactions in an organism

Question 5

Anabolism

Answer 5

the synthesis of complex molecules from simpler molecules including the formation of macromolecules from monomers by condensation reactions

Question 6

Examples of anabolism

Answer 6

protein synthesis, DNA synthesis, photosynthesis

Question 7

Catabolism

Answer 7

the breakdown of complex molecules into simpler molecules including the hydrolysis of macromolecules into monomers

Question 8

Examples of catabolism

Answer 8

digestion and respiration

Question 9

Carbohydrates

Answer 9

are also known as sugar

composed of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen, with hydrogen and oxygen in the ratio of two hydrogen atoms to one oxygen

Question 10

Lipids

Answer 10

broad class of molecules that are insoluble in water, including steroids, waxes, fatty acids and triglycerides
made up of carbon, oxygen, hydrogen and sometimes phosphor (phospholipid bilayer)

Question 11

Proteins

Answer 11

composed of one or more chains of amino acids
made of carbon, oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen and phosphor
further classified into ribonucleic acid and deoxynucleic acid

Question 12

Structure of hydroxyl groups

Answer 12

ribose
glucose
saturated fatty acids
amino acids

Question 13

What is an example of compounds produced in organisms may be synthesized artificially?

Answer 13

urea

Question 14

How is urea produced?

Answer 14

a component of urine is produced when there’s excess amino acids and is created by enzyme catalyzed reactions in the liver

Question 15

What is urea’s use?

Answer 15

a nitrogen source in fertilisers

Question 16

What is the difference in the structure of alpha-glucose compared to beta-glucose?

Answer 16

alpha D-glucose would have swapped location of OH and H in C1.
the way to remember Alpha glucose is the shape OH and H forms an A shape in Alpha.