Life at the cellular level

Question 1

The laws of thermodynamics

Answer 1

1. Energy can’t be created or destroyed only changed from one form to another.
2. All energy transformations result in more disorder/increased entropy.

Question 2

Dynamic steady state

Answer 2

When the concentration of the intermediate molecule remains constant.

Question 3

Metabolism

Answer 3

The use of food for energy production or growth

Question 4

Catabolism

Answer 4

The breakdown of complex molecules to form simpler ones and release energy

Question 5

Anabolism

Answer 5

The synthesis of complex molecules from simpler ones alongside energy storage.

Question 6

ATP

Answer 6

The breakdown of ATP creates free energy for use in other metabolic pathways. It is the main energy storage molecule produced by glycolysis, CAC and B-oxidation

Question 7

NADP

Answer 7

Nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide phosphate is used in anabolic reactions

Question 8

NAD

Answer 8

Nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide. The conversion of NAD to NADH carries one electron in the CAC.

Question 9

FAD

Answer 9

Flavin adenine dinucleotide. The conversion of FAD to FADH2 carries 2 electrons in the CAC

Question 10

Substrate level phosphorylation

Answer 10

A metabolic reaction in which the phosphoryl group is directly transferred from a donor to a recipient compound

Question 11

Oxidative phosphorylation

Answer 11

Nutrients/chemicals provide energy to transfer a phosphate group to ADP producing ATP with the help of an electron transport system. Feasible aerobically.

Question 12

Proteins

Answer 12

Polymers of amino acids linked by peptide bonds.

Question 13

Carbohydrates

Answer 13

Basic sugar unit

Question 14

Biomolecule

Answer 14

A molecule involved in the maintenance and metabolic processes of living organisms.

Question 15

Lipids

Answer 15

Fats or oils usually containing at least one long chain FA that can be saturated or unsaturated.

Question 16

Nucleic Acids

Answer 16

A complex organic substance present in living cells, especially DNA or RNA, whose molecules consist of many nucleotides linked in a long chain by 3’5’-phosphodiester bonds.

Question 17

Functional groups

Answer 17

A set of commonly found groups of atoms covalently bonded to carbon in organic molecules. They determine reactivity, solubility and other physical properties leading to its biological role.

Question 18

Configuration

Answer 18

The fixed arrangement of atoms in a molecule

Question 19

Conformation

Answer 19

The detailed and precise arrangement of atoms in a molceule

Question 20

Example of a redox reaction

Answer 20

Anaerobic glycolysis

Question 21

Example of making/breaking c-c bonds

Answer 21

Cleavage of glucose in glycolysis

Question 22

Example of group transfers

Answer 22

The transfer of a phosphate group in glycolysis

Question 23

Example of a condensation reaction

Answer 23

Sub-units join to make proteins, producing water

Question 24

Example of hydrolysis

Answer 24

Catabolism of proteins; splitting water

Question 25

Polysaccharides

Answer 25

At least 10 monosaccharides linked by glycosidic bonds

Question 26

Hydrogen bond

Answer 26

A covalent bond formed by the electrostatic reaction between carbon and one of H, O or F (highly electronegative atoms).

Question 27

What determines solubility?

Answer 27

The more opportunities for H bonding to occur the more soluble the solute will be in water.

Question 28

Amphipathic

Answer 28

A molecule which has both a hydrophilic part and hydrophobic part.

Question 29

pH

Answer 29

A figure expressing the alkalinity or acidity of a solution on a logarithmic scale

Question 30

Ka

Answer 30

The dissociation constant. The equilibrium constant of the dissociation reaction of an acid; a quantitative measure of the strength of an acid in a solution.

Question 31

Buffer

Answer 31

A buffer is made by mixing a large volume of a weak acid/base with its conjugate. It has a highly stable pH so if you add acid or base its pH will not change significantly