Chemical and cellular basis of life Flashcards
Hierarchial organisation of living things
Atoms, molecules, organells, cells, tissues, organs, organ-systems, organism, population, community, ecosystem, biosphere
No. of naturally occurring elements on the earth’s crust and elements which are essential to continue healthy life and reproduction
92 elements naturally occur in earth’s crust. Of which, about 20-25% elements are essential to continue healthy life and reproduction. (about 25- elements are essential for humans and about 17 for plants).
C, H, O, N- accounts for of the body mass
96.3%
Present in small amounts but not trace elements
Ca, P, K, S, Na, Cl,
Mg
Major properties of water
Cohesive behavior
Ability to moderate temperature
Expansion upon freezing
Versatility as a solvent
Most abundant group of organic compound on earth is
carbohydrates
Linear forms of polysaccharides
Cellulose , amylose
Branched forms of polysaccharides
Glycogen, amylopectin, hemicellulose
Monomer Inuline
Fructose
Monomer Pectin
Galacturonic acid
Monomer Hemicellulose
Pentoses
Monomer Chitin
Glucosamine
Proteins elemental composition is
C, H,O,N and S
2 types of secondary structure of protein
alpha helix
beta pleated sheet
examples tertiary structure
Most of the enzymes
Myoglobin
Albumin
examples Quaternary structure
Haemoglobin
Collagen
Immunoglobulins
Denaturation of proteins
Denaturation of protein is the loss of specific chemical three dimensional shape due to the alteration of weak chemical bonds and interactions.
Agents affecting the denaturation
- High temperature and high energy radiation
- Strong acids, alkaline and high concentrations of salts
- Heavy metals
- Organic solvents and detergents
Catalytic protein
Pepsin, Amylase
Structural protein
Keratin
Collagen
Storage proteins
Ovalbumin
Casein
Transport proteins
Haemoglobin
Serum albumin
Hormones- proteins
Insulin
Glucagon
Contractile/ Motor
Actin/Myosin
Defensive proteins
Immunoglobins
Functions of DNA
• Store and transmit genetic information from one generation to the next generation
• Store the genetic information for protein synthesis
Least abundant type of RNA
Messenger RNA
Functions of mRNA
• Copies the genetic information stored in DNA molecule as a sequence of nitrogenous bases
• Transports genetic information from nucleoplasam to the site of protein synthesis (ribosome) through nucleopores
Smallest RNA molecule
Transfer RNA
Functions of tRNA
transportation of amino acids to the site of protein synthesis
most abundant type of RNA
Ribosomal RNA