Topic 2: Molecular Biology Flashcards
what is metabolism
enzyme-catalyzed reactions that occur within a living organism in order to maintain life
what are organic compounds
molecules that contain carbon and found in all living things
what are the 4 biomacromolecules
carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids
describe anabolism
turning simple molecules into complex ones through condensation reaction
example of an anabolic process
photosynthesis
describe catabolism
breaking down complex molecules into simple ones through hydrolysis
example of a catabolic process
cellular respiration
list the properties of water
cohesive, adhesive, solvent, thermal
outline what it means for water to be cohesive
water can form hydrogen bonds with other water, high surface tension
outline what it means for water to be solvent
hydrophilic substances can dissolve in water
outline what it means for water to be thermal
water can absorb large amounts of heat energy, high boiling point
what is a monosaccharide
the monomer of a carbohydrate
give 2 examples of a monosaccharide
glucose and ribose
polysaccharide = ?
monosaccharide + monosaccharide
list 3 types of polysaccharides (hint: think about glucose)
cellulose, starch, glycogen
cellulose = ?
b-glucose + b-glucose
where can cellulose be found
plant cell wall
starch = ?
a-glucose + a-glucose
where can starch be found
energy storage in plants
glycogen = ?
a-glucose + a-glucose
where can glycogen be found
energy storage in animals
list the 4 types of lipids and their significance
triglyceride (adipose tissues),
phospholipid (bilayer),
cholesterol (animal cell membrane),
steroids (hormones)
what is the monomer of a protein
amino acid
what connects amino acids to form proteins
peptide bonds
outline the structure of protein
primary - sequence of amino acids
secondary - a-helices and b-pleated sheets coiling or folding the protein together
tertiary - protein takes on 3D shape
quaternary - multiple polypeptide chains together
describe the denaturation of a protein
can be caused by change in temperature or pH, results in unfolding of the protein
what is an enzyme
a globular protein that speeds up the rate of a reaction by lowering the activation energy
what are the key parts of the catalysis of an enzyme
the enzyme reacts with the SUBSTRATE and binds to the ACTIVE SITE
what is the lock and key model and is it currently accepted
theory that the substrate fits perfectly into the active site (not currently accepted)
what is the induced fit model and is it currently accepted
theory that the active site changes its shape to fit the substrate perfectly (currently accepted)
list the 3 factors affecting enzyme activity
temperature, pH, substrate concentration
what is a nucleotide
monomer of a nucleic acid
list the 3 basic components of a nucleotide
pentose sugar, phosphate group, nitrogenous base (“a house with a pool and a yard”)
what are the nitrogenous bases
adenine, thymine, guanine, cytosine (and also uracil…)
outline the structure of DNA
two complementary strands line up in opposite directions, anti-parallel, with the
bases facing inwards and connected by hydrogen bonds (G ≡ C and A = T) … forms a double helix!
outline the structure of RNA
polynucleotide chain remains single stranded, but may fold upon itself to
form double stranded motifs
who figured out the structure of DNA
Watson and Crick
formula for cellular respiration
C6H12O6 + 6O2 → 6 CO2 + 6H2O + ATP
what is cellular respiration
controlled release of energy from organic compounds to produce ATP
describe aerobic respiration (overall yield energy, products, location, process)
overall yield energy: 36-38 ATP
products: CO2 + H2O
location: cytoplasm and mitochondria
process: by glycolysis, uses oxygen, fully breaks down glucose
describe anaerobic respiration (overall yield energy, products, location, process)
overall yield energy: 2 ATP
products: lactic acid / ethanol and CO2
location: cytoplasm
process: by glycolysis, no oxygen, partially breaks down glucose
what is the full form of ATP
adenosine triphosphate (3 phosphate groups so more energy)
what is the full form of ADP
adenosine diphosphate (only 2 phosphate groups so less phosphate)
what is fermentation
process of breaking down carbohydrates in the absence of oxygen
what does the fermentation of bread and alcohol produce
ethanol and CO2
what does the fermentation of yogurt and cheese produce
lactic acid
what is a respirometer
device that measures the rate of cell respiration by measuring the rate of exchange of O2 and CO2
outline the process of respirometry
- living organism (ex: germinating seeds or invertebrate organism) enclosed in container
- CO2 measured using data logger
- O2 measured by pressure change shown in water tube
what are the 5 factors that impact respiration rates
temperature, hydration, light, age, activity levels
