Biological Molecules

Question 1

indirect evidence for evolution

Answer 1

• all life on Earth shares a common chemistry
• despite their great variety, cells contain only a few groups of carbon-based compounds that interact in similar ways
• differences between cells are due to the addition of extra features
• the process of respiration is common in all organisms

Question 2

The haemoglobins are

Answer 2

a group of chemically similar molecules found in many different organisms

Question 3

conflicting evidence associated with risk factors affecting cardiovascular disease

Answer 3

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Question 4

direct evidence for evolution

Answer 4

the genetic code used is the same in all organisms, providing evidence for evolution.

Question 5

Nondisjunction is

Answer 5

the failure of homologous chromosomes or sister chromatids to separate properly during cell division

Question 6

Life depends on

Answer 6

continuous transfers of energy

Question 7

The theory of evolution

Answer 7

all new species arise from an existing species

Question 8

Common ancestry can explain

Answer 8

the similarities between all living organisms, such as common chemistry (eg all proteins made from the same 20 or so amino acids), physiological pathways (eg anaerobic respiration), cell structure, DNA as the genetic material and a ‘universal’ genetic code.

Question 9

The individuals of a species share the same

Answer 9

genes but (usually) different combinations of alleles of these genes

Question 10

If a population becomes isolated from other populations of the same species,

Answer 10

there will be no gene flow between the isolated population and the others.
This may lead to the accumulation of genetic differences in the isolated population, compared with the other populations.

Question 11

Explain the Hardy-Weinberg principle…

Answer 11

???

Question 12

the proteome of the organism

Answer 12

may have many applications, including the identification of potential antigens for use in vaccine production