Chapter 1: Central Dogma Flashcards
What is the central dogma?
information flows from DNA to RNA and then to protein. DNA can be replicated
What determines the physical nature of the organism?
Genes. DNA has the heritable information – the genome.
Define replication
When a cell duplicates, DNA is copied and identical genomes are then present in the newly formed daughter cells.
Copying of the genome is called replication.
Define transcription
To acctivate genes one form of nucleid acid, DNA, is transcribed into RNA.
What catalyzes transcription?
The enzyme RNA polymerase.
What catalyzes the replication process?
A group of enzymes, collectively called DNA polymerase
Define translation
Information is translated from one chemical form (nucleic acid) into another (protein).
Where does translation take place?
On large macromolecular complexes called ribosomes, consisting of RNA and protein
Define metabolism
the sum of all the enzyme-catalyzed reactions in a living organism
Define Anabolic (biosynthetic) pathways:
- Large complex molecules are synthesized from smaller molecules
- Requires energy
Define Catabolic pathways:
- Large complex molecules are degraded into simpler products
- Stores energy: a portion of the energy produced drives anabolic reactions
What do catabolism and anabolism share?
Both form intermediates that are shared among metabolic pathways
Which feature is essential for defining a system as “living”?
Ability to maintain homeostasis and respond to environmental changes.
Why do phospholipids form bilayers in aqueous environments?
The hydrophobic tails avoid water, while the hydrophilic heads interact with water, leading to a bilayer formation.
What are membranes consisted of?
a bilipid layer
