Cellular processes, control (2) + (5) Flashcards
where does glycolysis occur
the cytoplasm
briefly describe the difference between the presence of oxygen for cellular respiration in plants/fungi and animals
The presence of oxygen will allow the glucose (now as two molecules of pyruvate after glycolysis) to be fully oxidised.
Oxygen acts as the final electron acceptor in the ETC, allowing NAD and FAD to be oxidised. Therefore the Krebs cycle and Link reaction and ox. phos. can continue to convert pyruvate.
In the absence of oxygen, pyruvic acid is broken down into ethanal and carbon dioxide, and not fully oxidised. Pyruvic acid is converted to lactic acid and carbon dioxide is released. Glucose is not fully oxidised.
where does the Krebs cycle occur
in the mitochondrial matrix
- outline what pyruvate is converted to in Links*
- and what happens to it in the Krebs cycle*
Pyruvate (2C) is converted to Acetyl CoA (2C).
Acetyl CoA binds to 4C intermediate, producing citric acid (6C).
It is oxidised and decarboxylated to produce a 5C intermediate.
That is oxidised and decarboxylated to produce a 4C intermediate (which binds to 2C pyruvate derivative, continuing the cycle).
how much ATP is produced in aerobic respiration
there is a net gain of 38 ATP molecules from one molecule of glucose
how do animals and plants make glucose
Plants are photoautotrophs/chemoautotrophs- absorb light energy and use CO2 and water to produce glucose.
Animals consume carbohydrates which are hydrolysed into glucose or other molecules to be used in respiration.
where does photolysis occur
in the granum of the chloroplast
why must DNA produce genetically identical DNA when replicating
old cells/organelles/molecules die and must be replaced, it must be genetically identical so that they have the exact same structure and function as the previous molecules, which is decided by the sequence of nucleotide bases. DNA must also be able to be passed onto offspring.
what is necessary for DNA replication to occur (4)
- the actual DNA to act as an exact template
- a pool of relevant and freely available nucleotides
- a supply of the relevant enzymes to catalyse/speed up the rate of reaction
- ATP to provide energy for these reactions
what happens to the DNA structure during replication
the double helix unzips, uncoils and unwinds so that each strand is exposed for the free nucleotides to bond to
why is the new strand of DNA semi-conservative
50% of the genetic material comes from the original strand, and 50% from free nucleotides and the new strand not previously a part of the original strand
why does nucleic acid sequence determine which protein is produced in protein synthesis
the sequence determines which amino acids are translated, which give a specific sequence which determines how the protein folds and coils, in particular because it determines the R groups, which have different interactions, determining the tertiary structure of the protein
how can the four DNA nucleotides be classified
PYRIMIDINES- cytosine and thymine, single carbon ring structure PURINES- adenine and guanine, double carbon ring structure COMPLEMENTARY BASE PAIRING C and G triple hydrogen bond T and A double hydrogen bond Purines bond with Pyrimidines, which allows a constant distance to always be maintained between the two strands. There is always an equal quantity of A and T, and an equal quantity of C and G.
explain 5’ and 3’ in DNA
the two polynucleotide strands of the double helix are ANTIPARALLEL, running in opposite directions. For one strand the phosphate group end (5’) is at the top, and for the other the hydroxyl group (3’) is at the top. They are bonded together by hydrogen bonds.
what is the function of mRNA and why is it necessary
To transport the genetic material needed to code for proteins at the ribosomes in the cytoplasm from the double-membrane bound nuclear envelope where DNA is protected from the cytoplasm, stored and transcribed. DNA is too large a molecule to leave the nucleus. Therefore its genetic code is transcribed onto mRNA. mRNA corresponds to a single gene, compared to DNA, which is an entire chromosome long.
differences and similaritiesbetween DNA and RNA
D1. SUGAR- deoxyribose/ribose, 4 O atoms, 5 O atoms D2. thymine is replaced by URACIL (still pyrimidine, double bonds with A) D3. RNA polymers are small enough to leave the nucleus and travel to ribosomes D4. RNA is involved in protein synthesis S1. complementary base pairing rules- number of H bonds and between what S2. nucleotides form polynucleotides in the same manner- phosphodiester bonds between Pi on C5 and OH on C3
why does DNA need to be replicated
for new cells needed for growth or repairof tissues
what is DNA replication
the process of copying and duplicating a DNA molecule in a semiconservative way, i.e. the copy contains one of the original strands paired with a newly synthesized strand that is complementary in terms of AT and GC base pairing
outline the 3 stages of DNA replication
- the DNA double helix structure must unwind and 2. the H bonds holding the two strands together must be hydrolysed by DNA HELICASE, which travels along the sugar-phosphate backbone, leaving the nucleotides exposed 2. free nucleotides H bond to the exposed nucleotides using the complementary base pairing rules, forming H bonds between them 3. the new adjacent nucleotides then form phosphodiester bonds between them, catalysed by DNA POLYMERASE, creating a new polynucleotide
what risk is there during DNA replication for the organism
random and spontaneous mutations may occur, where complementary base pairing is not followed and leads to an incorrect sequence of bases
in what way is the genetic code carried before translation
in a TRIPLET CODE; each sequence of three bases forms a codon, which codes for a specific amino acid A section of DNA that contains the complete sequence of codons is a gene.
why is the genetic code described as ‘degenerate’
there are 64 possible base triplets/codons (4x4x4) including one start and three stop codons which means that DNA does not overlap There are 20 amino acids, which can be coded for by more than one codon. Therefore the 64 codons are degenerate.
what are the 6 stages in DNA transcription to mRNA
- In the nucleus, RNA polymerase attaches to the DNA molecule. It uncoils and unzips the double helix structure, hydrolysing the hydrogen bonds between the base pairs, starting at the START codon.
- Free RNA nucleotides bond to the exposed bases on the template/antisense strand by their complementary pairs. Adenine bonds with uracil instead of thymine. (C+G)
- Free RNA nucleotides do not bond with the coding/sense strand because it is the strand that needs to be copied in order to translate the correct amino acids to produce specific proteins.
- RNA polymerase catalyses the bonding of nucleotides together by phosphodiester (covalent) bonds in a condensation reaction, which forms an mRNA polynucleotide.
- H bonds form between the two strands and they coil into the double helix structure. The entire process continues until RNA polymerase reaches the STOP codon.
- mRNA detaches from the DNA molecule and leaves the nucleus via a nuclear pore.
name the two strands of DNA that are involved in transcription
- SENSE/ coding strand (5’ to 3’)
- It is transcribed to mRNA but does not bond to free RNA nucleotides because it is the one that needs to be copied.
- ANTISENSE/ template strand (3’ to 5’)
- It is not transcribed to mRNA but bonds to free RNA nucleotides in the nucleus.
what are the 7 stages of translation
- After leaving the nucleus, the START codon of the mRNA binds to a specific site on a ribosome, which holds the mRNA in position.
- transfer (t)RNA is a strand of RNA folded so that the anticodon is at one end of the molecule. It carries amino acids corresponding to the anticodon.
- a complementary anticodon of tRNA from the cytosol binds to the START codon, and brings the first amino acid in the sequence.
- tRNA molecules continue to bring complementary anticodons and amino acids to the mRNA molecule until the STOP codon.
- At the same time, peptidyl transferase catalyses the bonding of the amino acids by peptide bond to form a polypeptide chain.
- As amino acids bond, they fold into secondary and tertiary structure, which is determined by the sequence of amino acids.
- The protein may then be released to the Golgi Apparatus for modification/packaging.
name 4 biological processes that require energy and the 3 main types of activity
Muscle contaction, memory formation, cell division, transmission of nerve impulses 1. synthesis 2. transport eg. pumping ions across cell ms by active transport 3. movement eg. protein fibres in muscle cells for muscle contraction
what is the structure of an ATP molecule
a nitrogenous base, adenine, a pentose sugar, ribose, and three phosphate groups
Adenine is on the 1st carbon and phosphates on the 5th carbon
(it is a nucleotide)
how does ATP release energy
approx. 30.6kJmol-1 energy is released when ATP is hydrolysed to ADP and Pi (inorganic phosphate) a little energy is required to form the bond between Pi and ADP again, releasing water. Net release of energy.
why is ATP not a good long-term energy store
(+ why it is a good immediate store)
The instability of bonds between phosphates in ATP.
Fats and carbohydrates are better suited- the energy released in breakdown of these molecules (in cellular respiration) is used to create ATP by phosphorylating ADP. This constant interconversion means ATP is a good immediate energy store. It is a single-step process to hydrolyse ATP. Small quantites of energy are released, preventing large losses of heat energy. Suitable for the metabolic reactions within the cell.
what are the 5 properties of ATP
- Small- therefore it can move easily in and out of cells
- Water soluble- energy-requiring processes occur in aqueous environments eg. cytosol
- Contains bonds between phosphates with intermediate energy, large enough to be useful for cellular reactions but not so large that energy is wasted as lost heat energy
- Small quantities of energy are released- suitable to cellular needs, energy not lost as heat energy
- Easily regenerated, can be ‘recharged’ with energy- phosphorylated and dephosphorylated
what is a somatic cell
a body cell i.e. any cell in a multicellular organism that is not a gamete/sex cell
what is the life cycle of a cell (1 mark)
from the formation of the cell to eventual division into two daughter cells
which stages are within the cell life cycle
I interphase: growth and synthesis: G1, S, G2
II mitosis: nuclear division: P, M, A, T
III cytokinesis: cell division
what are the 4 stages of INTERPHASE I
G1 = growth phase
S = synthesis phase (DNA is replicated)
G2 = second growth phase
G1 can enter G0, which is programmed cell death (apoptosis)
there are check points during the cell cycle: G1 checkpoint checks for cell size, nutrients, DNA damage
G2 checkpoint checks for cell size and DNA and organelle replication
why might a cell enter the G0 phase
- a resting phase- a period of inactivity or dormancy before entering G1 again
- apoptosis - programmed cell death
- specialised cells
- senescence - cell ageing
what occurs during MITOSIS II
The four stages: Prophase, Anaphase, Metaphase, Telophase
Within these phases: Appearance of chromosomes
Distribution of chromosomes to daughter cells
Nuclear division
what occurs during CYTOKINESIS III
in animals, cytoplasm divides
in plants, cytokinesis does not occur; the cell wall is laid between two daughter cells
what occurs to DNA during prophase
the DNA of the cell condenses to change from chromatin to form chromosomes
what is chromatin made of
DNA supercoiled around histone proteins
a nucleosome is 8 histone molecules with DNA wrapped around them
what is a chromosome
a continuous stretch of DNA containing segments; genes; that code for proteins
how many chromosomes do humans have in a somatic cell
46, made of 23 pairs, of which half have been inherited from one parent and half from the other (mother and father)
what do homologous chromosomes share
how do they change after DNA replication
the same length
centromeres in the same position
the same genes at the same locus
genes may have alternative alleles, DNA inbetween the genes will be different
after DNA replication, each chromosome is made of two identical ‘sister’ chromatids
what are nonsister chromatids
any two chromatids in a pair of homologous chromosomes that are not sister chromatids i.e. two molecules of condensed DNA joined by a centromere, with alleles of the same gene at the same locus, and of the same length
what are the two names for genes on the chromosomes
autosomal genes on the first 22 pairs
sex-linked genes on the 23rd pair (the sex chromosomes)
what are the 3 identifying factors of interphase
- intact nuclear envelope
- chromatin (replicating towards the end of S phase) nucleolus present
- pair of centrioles present
what are the 5 identifying factors of prophase
- centrioles move to opposite poles
- spindle fibres starts to form at opposite poles from centrioles, made of microtubules
- nuclear envelope degrades
- pair of identical chromatids on each chromosome
- centromere present, joining sister chromatids
what are the 3 identifying factors of metaphase
- homologous chromosomes line up at the metaphase plate/equator
- spindle fibres, formed from microtubules, at both poles
- they attach to the centromeres of the sister chromatids
what is the identifying factors of anaphase
- sister chromatids separate and are pulled to opposite poles by contracting spindle fibres attached to the centromeres
what are the 5 identifying factors of telophase
- centrioles replicate
- chromatin reforms/ nucleolus reappears
- nuclear envelope reforms
- cytoplasm divides
describe what occurs during cytokinesis in plant and animal cells
ANIMALS
equator region invaginates, cytoplasm is split, two daughter cells formed
PLANTS
cell wall laid between separated nuclei at the equator, cannot invaginate due to rigid cellulose cell wall
however, division does occur in meristematic tissue in the cambium of roots, shoots, buds
what is the significance of mitosis??
>mitotic division chromosomes ensures that 1. equal quantity of DNA to both daughter cells 2. the DNA is genetically identical for both daughter cells (i.e. genetic variation is only caused by mutation)
>growth of multicellular organisms
>tissue repair
>asexual reproduction 1. binary fission in unicellular organisms 2. vegetative propagation: cloned/new plants grow from parts of parent plants (when there is meristematic tissue) eg. runners, tubers, strawberries
what is meiosis
the formation of gametes
what is the significance of MEIOSIS
< sexual reproduction a diploid organism (two sets of homologous chromosomes, one from each parent) produces haploid gametes (a single set of unpaired chromosomes) which contain half the DNA in a somatic cell
< genetic variation in the daughter cells, important for survival of a species, such as against disease
< number of chromosomes is halved there are two divisions resulting in four daughter cells with half the number of chromosomes
outline INTERPHASE for meiosis
DNA replicates in S phase
centrosomes replicate
organelles replicate
outline PROPHASE 1
chromatin condenses to form bivalents i.e. pairs of homologous chromosomes
nuclear envelope degrades
centrosomes move to opposite poles, spindle fibres start to form, made of microtubules
genetic recombination occurs; at chiasmata, sections of chromatids crossover with the same length of non-sister chromatid i.e. the chiasmata is at the same locus of the chromatids
outline METAPHASE 1
spindle fibres attach to centrosomes on the bivalents, which are lined up on the equator
independent assortment; there are 2 possible orientations for each bivalent, leading to 2(22) possible assortments, as each bivalent lines up independent of the other 22.
outline ANAPHASE 1
reduction division
pair of homologous chromosomes is split up by contracting spindle fibres and sister chromatids remain attached to their centromere
the resulting cells are haploid
outline TELOPHASE 1 and CYTOKINESIS
two haploid cells form, centrosomes replicate, nucelar envelope reforms, there are 23 homologous chromosomes (46 chromatids), cell membrane invaginates to form cleavage furrow, cytoplasm divides etc.
outline PROPHASE II
(short INTERPHASE II, no DNA replication occurs)
homologous chromosomes appear due to condensed chromatin, joined by centromeres, nuclear envelope degrades, centrioles move to opposite poles, spindle starts to form