Molecular intro

Question 1

What is life?

What is life based on?

Answer 1

• maintain integrity (boundaries)
• information: store, replicate, transform it into “action”
• perform and regulate metabolism (energy)
• interact/signal (with environment, other cells)
• replicate (divide)

It is C-based and DNA-based
(RNA exceptions) such as viruses

Question 2

Compare genomes in bacterial cells and in eukaryotic cells

Answer 2

• Usually one bacteria have circular chromosome vs eukaryotes with many linear chromosomes
• small vs large molecule
• presence of extra-chromosomal elements (plasmids, the
  basis for cloning vectors used in genetic engineering)
• mitochondria and chloroplasts (from ancient symbiosis)
  have their own DNA
• some “lower” eukaryotic forms can have some types of
  plasmids