2.1 Molecules to metabolism

Question 1

Relationship between genes and polypeptides

Answer 1

Genes have information required to code for protein synthesis through transcription and translation

Question 2

Metabolic pathway

Answer 2

Series of connected chemical reactions where one molecule is transformed into another

Question 3

Reductionist approach to metabolic pathways

Answer 3

Involves researching and then breaking down the various biochemical processes of an organism into its component parts

Question 4

Metabolism

Answer 4

Sum of all metabolic pathways in a cell or organism, including enzyme catalyzed reactions

Question 5

Why is reductionist approach limited?

Answer 5

Sometimes emergent properties arise only when component parts are combined so it can’t be reduced to a single component

Question 6

What type of bonds do carbon molecules form?

Answer 6

They form covalent bonds

Question 7

How does the strength of a carbon bond compare?

Answer 7

Stable carbon based molecules can be formed because the electrostatic force of attraction between shared electrons of bonded atoms increases the strength

Question 8

Why can carbon form 4 bonds with up to 4 different atoms?

Answer 8

They have 4 valence electrons so they can gain or lose 4 electrons. This allows single or double covalent bonds to be formed with multiple elements

Question 9

What are carbs made of? (Hint: carboHYDRATES)

Answer 9

Carbon, hydrogen and oxygen (H:O=2:1)

Question 10

Features of lipids

Answer 10

• Insoluble in water
• Non-polar
• Fats when solid at room temp.
• Oils when liquid at room temp.

Question 11

Examples of lipids

Answer 11

Steroids, fatty acids, triglycerides, waxes

Question 12

Features of proteins

Answer 12

-Composed of one or more chains of amino acids

Question 13

What is a protein made of ?

Answer 13

Carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen

Question 14

What are nucleic acids made of?

Answer 14

Made of nucleotides (subunits). Contain C,H,N,O,P

Question 15

Pentose vs. hexose

Answer 15

Pentose has 5 carbons while hexose has 6

Question 16

Eg. of pentose and hexose

Answer 16

Ribose and Glucose

Question 17

Name the parts of an amino acid

Answer 17

• Amine group (NH2)
• Carboxyl group (COOH)
• Variable part (CH+R group)

Question 18

Anabolism and catabolism: Synthesis or breakdown?

Answer 18

• Anabolism: Synthesis

- Catabolism: Breakdown

Question 19

Anabolism and catabolism: Type of reaction

Answer 19

• Anabolism: Condensation

- Catabolism: Hydrolysis

Question 20

Anabolism and catabolism: Substrates

Answer 20

• Anabolism: Monomers

- Catabolism: Complex molecules

Question 21

Anabolism and catabolism: Products

Answer 21

• Anabolism: Complex molecules

- Catabolism: Simple monomers

Question 22

Anabolism and catabolism: Water produced or used?

Answer 22

• Anabolism: Water produced

- Catabolism: Water used

Question 23

Anabolism and catabolism: Enzymes/agents involved

Answer 23

• Anabolism: ATP used for energy

- Catabolism: None. ATP is formed

Question 24

Vitalism: What did Wohler falsify?

Answer 24

Idea that some ‘vital’ force is required to synthesize organic compounds in living organisms

Question 25

How did Wohler falsify vitalism?

Answer 25

He accidentally synthesize urea in his lab showing that organic compounds can be formed from inorganic compounds

Question 26

What compound was Wohler trying to produce instead of urea?

Answer 26

Ammonium cyanate

Question 27

Core idea behind vitalism

Answer 27

It proposes that an unknowable factor is essential in explaining life

Question 28

How did meaning of organic compounds change after Wohler?

Answer 28

It became anything that contained carbon