Biological Molecules Pt 2 (Miss Reynolds) Flashcards
What are the complementary bases?
Adenine to thymine
Cytosine to guanine
What structure is DNA?
Double helix.
RNA Structure
Single, relatively short polynucleotide chain.
DNA
A polymer of nucleotides formed by condensation.
Bonds in DNA.
Phosphodiester between nucleotides.
Pentose sugar for RNA
Ribose
Four organic bases for RNA.
Adenine, guanine, cytosine and uracil.
Function of mRNA
Transfers genetic information from DNA to ribosomes.
What does mRNA stand for?
Messenger RNA.
tRNA function.
Involved in protein synthesis.
What does tRNA stand for?
Transfer RNA.
Compare DNA and RNA (2/4 things)
DNA Double stranded Thymine Deoxyribose Very large
RNA Single stranded Uracil Ribose Very small
What holds the strands together? And why?
Hydrogen bonds, provide strength.
Codon
Each triplet of bases on messenger RNA.
What does a codon specify?
An amino acid.
Name 3 reasons why energy is needed.
Metabolism, active transport, maintenance of body temp, repair and division of cells, movement, production of substances.
ATP & Photosynthesis
Light energy is converted to chemical energy during photosynthesis, then form organic molecules which convert into ATP during respiration. This is used by cells.
What is ATP made of?
Adenine, ribose, 3 phosphate groups.
How ATP releases energy
ATP is hydrolysed to break a bond which releases a large amount of energy.
ADP can be reformed into ADP + Pi in what reaction?
Condensation.
Name two advantages of ADP.
- Instant source of cell energy.
- Releases energy in small amounts as needed.
- It is mobile and transports chemical energy to where it is needed in the cell.
- Universal energy carrier and can be used in many different chemical reactions.
Name three reactions which uses ATP.
Metabolic processes, movement, active transport, secretion, activation of molecules, bioluminescence.
Where do inorganic ions occur?
In solution in the cytoplasm of cells and in the body fluids of organisms in both animals and plants.
What are the three key inorganic ions?
Iron, sodium, phosphorus.
Iron use in cells
To make DNA which encode for life, animals also need to make haemoglobin which deliver oxygen to the body. Also plays a role in metabolism.
Sodium use in cells
Enables the transmission of nerve impulses around the body, controls taste, smell and tactile processes. Aid in synthesis and metabolism of chlorophyll in plants.
Phosphorus use in cells.
A component of bones, teeth, DNA and RNA. Also helps nerve function and muscles contract in animals.
