Basic Concepts of Life

Question 1

Three Characteristics that all life share

Answer 1

1. obey the laws of thermodynamics
2. use ATP as a energy currency
3. formed of both small and large biomolecules which show remarkable similarity between various life forms

Question 2

7 conventional definitions of life

Answer 2

1. organization being composed of one or more cells, which are the basic units of life
   2.reproduction: the ability to produce new organisms
2. metabolism: the chemical processes that are necessary to maintain life
3. Growth: maintenance of a higher rate of building up than breaking down - progression to a more complex form
4. Homeostasis: regulation of the internal environment to maintain a constant state
   6.Response to stimuli: ability to respond, react in the short term to a stimulus
   7.adaptation: the ability to respond over a period of time to one’s environment - evolution

Question 3

Catabolism

Answer 3

substances are broken down, providing energy

Question 4

anabolism

Answer 4

substances are synthesized, required energy

Question 5

Features of life (not definition)

Answer 5

1. Carbon-containing: carbon is the chemical element that forms the basis of life on earth
2. Reliance on water: water is a chemical substance needed for survival of all forms of life on earth
3. genetic information: uses DNA and RNA to store blueprint of an organism
4. Complexity: composed of many different large and small biomolecules

Question 6

What is a molecule

Answer 6

the smallest particle of a substance that retains properties of the substance; can be composed of one or more atoms

Question 7

What is an atom

Answer 7

the smallest particle of an element that retains the chemical properties of the element

Question 8

Biological molecules

Answer 8

proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, lipids

Question 9

Proteins…

Answer 9

enzymes, transporters, defense, structure, fuel

Question 10

Nucleic acids…

Answer 10

general info -> ATP

Question 11

Carbohydrates…

Answer 11

fuel, communication, structure

Question 12

Lipids…

Answer 12

signaling, fuel, structure

Question 13

What is thermodynamics

Answer 13

Studies the movement of energy

Question 14

1st law of thermodynamics

Answer 14

Energy can neither be created nor destroyed, only change from one form to another

Question 15

2nd law of thermodynamics

Answer 15

all processes increase entropy (disorder)
Biochemical: catabolism

Question 16

How do living organisms contradict the 2nd law?

Answer 16

Small molecules are organized into large molecules. EG, amino acids in our diet into complex proteins (decreasing entropy)
Overall, catabolism > anabolism therefore net entropy increases

Question 17

What is ATP

Answer 17

-transfers energy within cells in metabolism
-produced photosynthesis and cellular respiration (respectfully)
-used for multitude of cellular processes

Question 18

Monomer is…

Answer 18

a single unit that can be attached together to form slightly larger molecules

Question 19

Polymer is…

Answer 19

contains 100s to 1000s of monomers
-poly means many