MCAT - Biology Flashcards
This deck was created by combining two or more decks
Facilitated Diffusion
Makes the membrane selectively permeable because it is able to select between molecules of similar size and charge. Must occur down the electro-chemical gradient of all species involved.
Fluid Mosaic Model
Since the forces holding the entire membrane together are intermolecular, the membrane is fluid; its parts can move laterally but cannot separate. This is reflected in the asymmetrical layout of the integral membrane proteins.
-> In eukaryotic membranes, cholesterol moderates membrane fluidity (prokaryotic -> hopanoids).
Smooth ER
Distal to the nucleus. The site of lipid synthesis including steroids. Helps to detoxify some drugs.
Peroxisomes
Vesicles in the cytosol. Grow by incorporating lipids and proteins from the cytosol. Self-replicate instead of budding off of other membranes. Involved in the production and breakdown of hydrogen peroxide. Inactivate toxic substances such as alcohol, regulate oxygen concentration, play a role in synthesis and breakdown of lipids and in the metabolism of nitrogenous bases and carbohydrates.
Mitochondria
Have their own circular DNA. Antibiotics that block translation by prokaryotic ribosomes but not eukaryotic ribosomes also block translation by mitochondrial ribosomes. Mitochondria are inherited from the mother. Have an inner and outer membrane.
Cristae
The internal compartments formed by the inner membrane of the mitochondria. Studded with proteins including ATP synthase and a variety of cytochromes. Increases surface area for chemical reactions, where cellular respiration (aerobic since mitochondria require oxygen) occurs.
Interstitial Fluid
Fluid between the cells.
Glycolysis
First stage of aerobic and anaerobic respiration. Occurs in the cytosol.
Glucose + 2ADP + 2P(i) + 2H2O + 2NAD+ —> 2 pyruvate + 2ATP + 2NADH
Can be performed by any cell (vs gluconeogenesis: formation of glucose from noncarbohydrate precursors - occurs mainly in the liver).
*The addition of a second phosphate to glucose commits it to the glycolytic pathway! (fructose 1,6-bisphosphate)
Fermentation
Anaerobic respiration. Includes glycolysis, reduction of pyruvate to ethanol (yeast) or lactic acid (human muscle cells), and oxidation of NADH back to NAD+.
Substrate-Level Phosphorylation
An energy-rich intermediate transfers its phosphate group to ADP, forming ATP, without requiring oxygen. As opposed to using energy from diffusion.
Ex: glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate (G3P or PGAL) in glycolysis, phosphocreatine in skeletal muscles
Cofactors
Metal ions or coenzymes that activate an enzyme by binding tightly to it.
Krebs (Citric Acid) Cycle
Aerobic respiration. The oxidation of glucose and reduction of oxygen (as the final electron acceptor –> H2O). Occurs in mitochondrial matrix (inside both membranes) with products of glycolysis (pyruvate and NADH). Once inside matrix, pyruvate is converted to acetyl CoA in a rxn that produces NADH and CO2. During the cycle, two carbons are lost as CO2 and oxaloacetic acid is reproduced to begin the cycle over again.
ATP is produced by substrate-level phosphorylation.
Glucose (C6H12O6) + 6O2 –> 6CO2 + 6H2O
(combustion rxn)
Produces 36 net ATP btwn cycle and ETC (and 2 from glycolysis).
One glucose produces two cycles. One cycle produces 1 ATP, 3 NADH, and 1 FADH2.
H from NADH and FADH2 go on to ETC, where O2 is reduced to H2O.
Can use:
- Triglycerides –> fatty acids –(-1 ATP)-> acyl CoA –(-2C)-> acetyl CoA
- Amino acids –(deamination in liver)-> deaminated pdt –> pyruvic acid or acetyl CoA
Oxidative Phosphorylation
The production of ATP via the electron transport chain and ATP synthase.
Organism Classification
- Energy source
- Phototrophs: light
- Chemotrophs: oxidation of organic or inorganic matter - Carbon source
- Autotrophs: CO2 exclusively
- Heterotrophs: organic matter
CO2 fixing: reducing it and using the carbon to create organic molecules
-> Only prokaryotes can acquire energy from an inorganic source other than light.
Prokaryote
No membrane bound nucleus; instead, have a single, circular double stranded molecule of DNA. Have nucleoids and ribosomes, just no complex, membrane bound organelles. No centrioles.
Split into two domains:
- Bacteria
- Archaea (have more in common with eukaryotes)
Nucleoid
Irregular shaped area inside a prokaryotic cell formed from the genetic material (DNA, RNA and protein complex) and serves as a nucleus. NOT membrane-bound.
AKA chromatin body, nuclear region, or nuclear body.
The Central Dogma (of gene expression)
All organisms use the same method of gene expression:
DNA –> RNA –> proteins
Nucleotide
Always made up of 3 parts:
1) Phosphate group
2) 5 C sugar
3) Nitrogenous base
DNA Structure
Nucleotides are held together by phosphodiester bonds between the 3rd C (3’) hydroxyl of one deoxyribose and the 5th C (5’) phosphate of another deoxyribose. The backbone of a single strand of DNA has 5’ -> 3’ directionality.
Purines
Two-ring structures: adenine and guanine.
Pyrimidines
One-ring structures: cytosine and thymine (and uracil).
think: pyrimidine has a ‘y’ and so do cytosine and thymine
Base-pairing
The hydrogen bonding between nitrogenous bases to form the double stranded structure of DNA.
A and T form 2 H bonds –> A2T
C and G form 3 H bonds –> C3G
(why complementary strands match up)
The length of a strand of DNA is measured in base-pairs (bp).
RNA
Identical to DNA in structure except that:
- C2 on the pentose sugar is not “deoxygenated” (has hydroxyl group attached).
- RNA is single-stranded.
- RNA contains the pyrimidine uracil instead of thymine (similarity between the two is a common cause of mutations).
DNA is produced by replication, RNA is produced by transcription.
In animals, DNA is only in the nucleus and mitochondrial matrix, RNA can move through nuclear pores so it is also in the cytoplasm.
3 types of RNA: mRNA, rRNA, tRNA
Messenger RNA (mRNA)
A form of RNA that carries the instructions for making a protein (amino acids) from a gene (DNA) and delivers it to the site of translation (cytosol).