Lecture 2: Origins and Biomolecules

Question 1

Describe Stanley Miller’s experiment. Why was it important?

Question 2

What is the “RNA World Hypothesis?”

Question 3

Describe the evolution of metabolism.

Question 4

What process is believed to have brought about the existence of mitochondria and chloroplasts in eukaryotic cells?

Question 5

Compare/contrast prokaryotes and eukaryotes

Question 6

Be able to describe covalent, ionic, and hydrogen bonds.

Question 7

What is the difference between hydrophilic, hydrophobic, and amphipathic molecules?

Question 8

What are some of the functions of: a) carbohydrates, b) lipids, c) nucleic acids, and d) proteins?

Question 9

Name and describe the reaction that you use to build and break down macromolecule

Question 10

What is the general structure of carbohydrates? What bond joins the monomers
together?

Question 11

Be able to count carbons in a sugar molecule

Question 12

Name the complex sugars and describe their main roles. How can from the same monomers you can make a structure that is very easy to pull apart AND one that is not?

Question 13

What are some common features of all phospholipids? One of the phospholipids we studied was different than the others. What is its name and why is it unique?

Question 14

Describe the structure of a triglyceride

Question 15

If a lipid head group contains a glucose instead of a phosphate group, what is it called?

Question 16

Compare/contrast DNA and RNA

Question 17

Be able to name the bond that holds nucleotides together.

Question 18

Know the difference between a nucleic acid, a nucleotide, and a nucleoside

Question 19

Be able to name the purines and pyrimidines and know how they pair together