Lecture Notes Flashcards
What is meant by theory of use and disuse?
Parts of the body that are used extensively become larger and stronger, while those that are not used deteriorate.
Why is it said that evolution leads to both diversity and unity?
Whilst animals share a common ancestor (unity), different environmental conditions led to the individual evolutionary changes of each species (diversity species). As a result, they are considered homologous structures.
What are homologous structures?
All organisms shared a common ancestor and different environmental conditions led to individual evolutionary changes.
What are the two types of cells/organisms?
Prokaryotes and Eukaryotes
Describe key features of ALL cells
- Have plasma membrane
- Have cytoplasm (semi-fluid)
- Have protein and carbohydrates
How do eukaryotes differ from prokaryotes?
- They are larger (10-100um)
- Their DNA is encapsulated in the nucleus
- Have additional membrane-bound compartments.
What are the three domains of life?
Bacteria, Archaea (PROKARYOTES) and Eukarya (EUKARYOTES)
What are the four main macromolecules and where are they found in the cell?
- Carbohydrates (Within and outside the cell)
- Lipids (Membrane and membrane-bound compartments)
- Protein (Cytoplasm)
- Nucleic Acid (Nucleus)
How are polymers synthesised and degraded?
They are synthesised from monomers via a dehydration reaction (SHOW DIAGRAM)
They are degraded into shorter polymers via a hydrolysis reaction (SHOW DIAGRAM).
What are the three main types of carbohydrates?
Monosaccharides
Disaccharides
Polysaccharides
List key features of monosaccharides
- Simple sugars (most common: glucose)
- Can be used for fuel, converted into other organic molecules, or combined into polymers
- May be LINEAR or form RINGS when dissolved in water.
List key features and examples of disaccharides
-Consist of two mono-saccharides joined by glycosidic linkage.
E.g. Maltose, sucrose, lactose
What is glycosidic linkage?
The covalent bond formed between two monomers via a dehydration reaction. The most common glycosidic linkages are the 1-4 and 1-6
What are the five examples of polysaccharides?
- Starch
- Glycogen
- Cellulose
- Glycoproteins
- Chitin
What is the difference between 1-4 and 1-6 linkage, and what does this result in?
- DRAW DIAGRAM*
- 1–4 linkage is flat and results in tightly packed, dense layers (which are difficult for enzymes to enter and digest)
- 1–6 linkage causes branching, and therefore the polymers are less tightly packed and have space inbetween, allowing enzymes to access and digest.
What is the difference between alpha and beta configuration and what does it result in?
Alpha configuration has both OHs on the bottom (results in bulky configuration, hence easier for enzyme to access and break down)
Beta configuration has an OH on the bottom and an OH on the top (results in tightly packed structure which slows down enzyme reaction speed)
Describe key features of starch
- Storage form of glucose in PLANTS
- Has many 1-4 and few 1-6 linkages
- Humans can digest as its in alpha config.
- Plants store starch as granules known as plastids.