Molecules to Metabolism Flashcards
what is molecular biology
chemistry of living organisms
what is metabolism
web of all enzyme-catalysed reactions in a cell or organism
what are the three factors that determine whether a collision leads to a chemical reaction
identity of colliding molecules
orientation of colliding molecules
speed of molecules upon collision
what are enzymes
protein molecules that have a specific shape in which a reactant can fit
list five examples of metabolism
replication of dna for cell division
synthesis of rna for chemical communication between nucleus and cytoplasm
synthesis of protein (bonding of one amino acid to another)
cell respiration (nutrients -> atp)
photosynthesis (light -> carbohydrates)
what is metabolism made up of
metabolism = catabolism + anabolism
what is catabolism
break down of complex molecules into simpler molecules
- releases water when bonds are broken (exergonic)
- uses water
- typically involves oxidation
- hydrolysis of macromolecules into monomers
- > lactose + water –> glucose + galactose
- > starch + (many) water –> (many) glucose
- > protein + (many) water –> (many) amino acids
- > triglyceride + 3 water –> glycerol + 3 fatty acids
what is anabolism
synthesis of complex molecules from simpler molecules
- uses energy to construct new bonds (endergonic)
- typically involves reduction
- condensation of monomers into macromolecules (opposite of hydrolysis)
- > amino acids –> protein + (many water)
- > water molecules are products rather than reactants
what is a condensation reaction
creates water when bonds joining molecules are formed
what is a hydrolysis reaction
requires water to break the bonds between molecules
list the four common carbon compounds
carbohydrates (monosaccharide)
- source of energy/short term storage/structural component (dna/rna)
lipids (fatty acids)
- cell membranes/long term energy storage
proteins (amino acids)
- regulatory molecules involved in catalysis/structural molecules
nucleic acids (nucleotides)
- dna (code for protein assembly)/rna (code for protein synthesis)
how many covalent bonds does carbon form
4
list 4 monosaccharides
glucose
galactose
fructose
ribose
list 3 disaccharides
maltose
lactose
sucrose
list 3 polysaccharides
starch
glycogen
cellulose
list 2 polypeptides (proteins)
enzymes
antibodies
what are some characteristics of lipids
insoluble in water contains: triglycerides phospholipids steroids fatty acids waxes
what are nucleic acids
chains of nucleotides contains: dna rna atp
what is vitalism
belief that living organisms and inanimate things differed fundamentally because living organisms contained a non-physical or vitalistic element and were subject to different principles of nature
- organic molecules (urea) of living organisms can only be synthesised by living organisms
what does vitalism state about urea
urea cannot be produced outside of the body
how was vitalism disproved
friedrich wohler mixed cyanic acid and ammonium to create urea crystals in 1828
- urea is produced in the body as a waste product of nitrogen metabolism and is eliminated by the kidneys in mammals
what are some common biochemical substances
beta-d-glucose alpha-d-glucose generalised fatty acid generalised amino acid saturated fatty acids - monounsaturated - polyunsaturated
how to distinguish between carbs/proteins/lipids
proteins contain CHON sometimes S (carbon hydrogen oxygen nitrogen) (sometimes sulfur)
carbs and lipids never contain N or S
carbons H:O is close to 2:1
lipids contain a lot less O
