Topic 1 - Foundations of Biochemistry Flashcards
Living matter is characterised by?
extraction, transformation & systematic use of energy
ability to sense & respond
ability for fairly precise self replication w/ room for evolution
Name the 3 distinct domains of life?
Bacteria, Archaea and Eukarya
What are the common features shared by animal and bacterial cells?
cytoplasm, plasma membrane, ribosomes
What features are not shared w/ animal & bacterial cells?
Bacteria have nucleoid (no nucleus), no membrane bound organelles and no nuclear membrane.
Animal cells have nucleus, nuclear membrane & membrne bound organelles
Prokaryotic cell features? (bacteria)
small single cell organism nucleoid (no nucleus) low DNA content cytoplasmic DNA plasmids no membrane bound organelles
Eukaryotic cell features?
larger single or multicellular organisms nucleus NO cytoplasmic DNA plasmids membrane bound organelles
Function of ribosomes?
synthesise proteins
Function of lysosomes?
degrades intracellular debris
Function of chloroplasts?
provide plant with energy (photosynthesise) immune response fatty acid synthesis amino acid synthesis Calvin cycle
Function of mitochondria?
Provides energy => oxidises fuels to produce ATP
Function of nucleus?
contains DNA (chromatin)
Function of nucleolus?
site of ribosomal RNA synthesis
Function of cytoskeleton and what it consists of?
Function: support cell shape & transport of substances
consists of: actin, microtubules, intermediate filaments
What is a monomer? Give examples
a molecule that may bind chemically to other molecules to form a polymer
e.g. amino acids, nucleotides, acetyl groups
How is a polymer created? Give an examples
created by polymerisation of smaller, monomer molecules.
e.g. nucleotide => DNA or RNA
amino acid => protein
Describe the properties of Carbon
can form 4 single covalent bonds
arranged tetrahedrally at 109.5 degrees to each other
What elements other than carbon are also common in biomolecules?
What bonds to they form in order to make what kind of atom?
N, O (&S) are common, main electronegative in biomolecules
Form polar bonds to make hydrophilic atoms
More Oxygen makes molecules…?
more soluble & more polar
Look at functional groups & their properties
see slides 37-49
A bit about geometric isomers? How do they occur? Name the 2 kinds
Is a form of stereoisomerism.
occur when there is restricted rotation somewhere in molecule (e.g. c=c double bond)
have different chemical & physical properties
(cis vs trans)
cis -molecules locked on same side
trans -molecules locked on different sides
SEE SLIDES 53 & 54
A bit about recognising stereoisomers?
differemt molecules, w/ same atoms & order of bonding
Configuration:
1. can be geometric isomers (cis/trans)
2. chiral centres: at least 1 asymmetric C atom w/ 4 different groups bonded to one C
A bit about chiral carbons and their configuration?
have 4 different functional groups attached
can be arranged in 2 ways that represent non-superimposabale mirror images of each other
SEE SLIDE 55.
A bit about enantiomers and diastereomers?
enantiomers:
are 2 pairs of mirror images that are non-superposable (not identical)
have identical physical properties and react identically to achiral reagents
diastereomers have different chemical & physical properties
all other pairs are diastereomers (not mirror images)
SEE SLIDE 56
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