Chapter 1 Synthetic Bio Flashcards
Synthetic biology
Attempt to synthesize life or certain aspects of it
Self replication
Process where something makes a copy of itself
Most apparent self replicating system
What happens during replication of DNA
DNA contains genetic info
Two strands Linear chains of monomers stacked in double helix separate
Molecular machine
Molecules are very diverse yet work together to carry out functions much like parts in a synthetic machine
The synergy of biological molecules gives biological systems
Emergent properties
New properties that emerge from collections of individual components
How to molecular machines peerage differently than classical machines
Physical led and forces engineers use differ from physical environment at molecular level
What are accurate for understanding and predicting the behavior of molecular machines
Chem. Principles , quantum mechanics, brownIan motion, capillary effects
Unique property of living systems from engineered ones
Hierarchically structures
As one zooms out on a biological system one can observe well ordered features at each level
Last distinguishing characteristic for living biological systems is that they are
Functional having a property useful for a particular goal
Biological functions of individual at molecular scale examples
Self replication of DNA
Catalysis of chemical reactions by enzymes
Conversion of chemical energy into mechanical motion by molecular motors
Encompassing process examples
Photosynthesis
At cellular scales a function is
Cell to cell communication
At multicellular organisms scale a function is
Organ function
At larger scales a function is
Communication between organisms
Hierarchy like structures in biology
Earth-biosphere 10 mm Neighborhood- 1 km ecosystem Dog- 1 m organism Human egg- 1mm tissue Most bacteria- 1 um cellular Proteins- 10 nm molecular Atom 0.1 nm
