Molecular Bio

Question 1

are viruses alive?

Answer 1

no (requires host, no homeostasis)

Question 2

why can cows eat grass but we can’t?

Answer 2

lack enzymes that recognize linkages that can break down cellulose

Question 3

elements

Answer 3

cannot be broken down by chemical means

Question 4

optimal/max numbers of electrons per shell

Answer 4

1st: 2, 2nd(+): 8

Question 5

covalent bonds

Answer 5

form when 2(+) atoms share the electrons in their outer shells

Question 6

ion

Answer 6

(group of) atom(s) w/ a (+)/(-) charge

Question 7

ionic bonds

Answer 7

result from attraction of oppositely charged ions, rather than shared electrons

Question 8

H2O properties

Answer 8

1. doesnt change temp. quickly
2. high boiling point
3. frozen: less dense than liquid
4. surface tension
5. capillary action
6. hydrogen bonding
7. great solvent for polar molecules

Question 9

H2O role in life

Answer 9

polar bond: electrons of a covalent bond are shared unequally
high heat capacity, high heat of vaporization, dissolving agent

Question 10

hydrogen bonds

Answer 10

weak bonds that form between water molecules or between nucleotide bases of two strands of DNA

Question 11

macromolecules

Answer 11

large biological molecules

eg: carbs, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids

Question 12

polymers

Answer 12

long molecules of many identical or similar building blocks strung together (similar to beads)

Question 13

dehydration synthesis

Answer 13

creating by removing water molecule, occurs when polymers are made

Question 14

hydrolysis

Answer 14

breaks down polymers by adding water

Question 15

carbohydrates

Answer 15

subunits: monosaccharides

short/long-term energy storage, simple and complex forms

Question 16

polysaccharides

Answer 16

many carbon rings

eg: glycogen (animal storage form)
starch (plant form)

Question 17

lipids

Answer 17

don’t dissolve in water (non-polar)
used as energy molecules
found in cell membranes
found as fats and oils, phospholipids and steroids

Question 18

fats

Answer 18

usually animal origin, solid @ room temp., long-term energy storage, insulation, cushion for organs

Question 19

oils

Answer 19

plant origin, liquid @ room temp.

Question 20

triglycerides

Answer 20

fats and oils

polymers: 1 molecule of glycerol + 3 fatty acids (bound through dehydration synthesis)

Question 21

double bond triglycerides

Answer 21

unsaturated

if not: saturated

Question 22

phospholipids

Answer 22

main component of plasma membrane

hydrophilic heads, hydrophobic tails

Question 23

cholesterol and glycolipids

Answer 23

other lipids, regular components of membranes

C: helps stabilize plasma membrane

Question 24

steroids

Answer 24

lipids, eg: cholesterol, sex hormones