INTRO TO LIVING CELLS

Question 1

Define a cell

Answer 1

Cells are the fundamental units of all living things on earth.
They take up nutrients and free energy from their surroundings and make copies of themselves.

Question 2

How are cells made?

Answer 2

Cells are created through the division of pre-existing cells.

Question 3

Small cell

Answer 3

Myoplasma genitilium - 0.3um, 10^-14 grams

Question 4

Medium cell

Answer 4

E.coli - 1um im diameter

Question 5

Big cell

Answer 5

Ostrich egg - 20 cm, 2 Kg

Question 6

What do cells look like?

Answer 6

Fancy cells - Diatom - 100 um
Round and concave
Amoebiod
Long and narrow
Long and branched
Oval
enlongated

Question 7

Dicuss the universal features of cells.

Answer 7

Cells are surrounded by a plasma membrane made up of a phospholipid bilayer.

Cells exchange molecules with their surroundings.

Cells communicate through signals.

Cells store their genetic information as DNA.

RNA is translated to proteins in all cells and are the same in all cells due to having the same genetic code.

A DNA fragment that corresponds to one protein is a gene.

Organelles are common to all eukaryotes and help compartmentalise the cell.

Cells are made up of simple building blocks - proteins, RNA, DNA, lipids, miscellaneous small metabolites, water, organic ions.

Life is a pattern in flux - all constituents of living matter are in a steady state of rapid flux - molecules are replaced and its turnover affects other cells depending on the tissue.

Cells are evolved from the same ancestor - Bacteria, Archaea and eukaryotes

Homeostasis - the ability or tendency of a cell or organism to maintain equilibrium by adjusting its physiological processes.

Question 8

List in order of abundance the composition of the cell

Answer 8

Water - 70%
Proteins - 18%
Lipids - 5%
Inorganic ions - 3%
Carbohydrates - 2%
RNA - 1.1%
DNA - 0.25%
Total macromolecules = 26%

Question 9

What is the general formula of Carbohydrates?

Answer 9

(CH2O)n

Question 10

What are the functions of carbohydrates?

Answer 10

Energy storage, a metabolite, fuel, structural element

Question 11

A carbohydrates are polysaccharides. What are their monomer?

Answer 11

Monosaccharides

Question 12

What are the two types of monosaccharides?

Answer 12

Ketose based - a ketone
Aldehyde based - an aldehyde

Question 13

State the difference between L and D configuration

Answer 13

D is naturally occurring and L is not. L can be found/made synthetically.

Question 14

State the difference between alpha and beta configuration

Answer 14

Alpha has hydrogen atom is Above the OH group
Beta has hydrogen atom Below the OH group

Question 15

How are disaccharides and polysaccharides formed?

Answer 15

By condensation - release of H2O and forms glycosidic bonds

Question 16

Name the three main polysaccharides

Answer 16

Starch - straight helix and acts as storage in plants; alpha glycosidic bond

Cellulose - straight and not branched helix; found in cell walls so it doesn’t break down; beta glycosidic bond

Glycogen - branched; easily broken down and acts as storage in muscles in animals; alpha glycosidic bond

Question 17

Blood groups are examples of Oligosaccharides. What can caused blood to be rejected for transfusion?

Answer 17

If the blood does not contain the right antibodies or antigens needed.

Question 18

If you are group A and need blood, what group will match yours?

Answer 18

Blood groups O or A

Question 19

If you are group B and need blood, what group will match yours?

Answer 19

Blood groups O or B

Question 20

If you are group AB and need blood, what group will match yours?

Answer 20

Blood groups AB, A, B or O