U2 Molecular Biology Basics

Question 1

Atoms

Answer 1

-smallest component of an element
-contains nucleus (protons & neutrons) and orbiting electrons

Question 2

Carbon

Answer 2

-Atom of life
-present in all biological molecules that define living beings

Question 3

Organic molecules

Answer 3

Contain carbon

Question 4

Inorganic molecules

Answer 4

Don’t contain carbon

Question 5

Molecules

Answer 5

2 or more atoms bound together
-ex. H2O, DNA

Question 6

Molecular composition

Answer 6

1.H2O (62%)
2.Protein (16%)
3.fat (16%)
4.minerals (6%)
5.carb (1%)

Question 7

Organic molecules

Answer 7

Lipids
Proteins
Nucleic acids (DNA,RNA)
Carbs

Question 8

Proteins

Answer 8

-Form the structure that determine cell shape and how they connect to each other
-carry out biological actions based on shape
-long amino acid chain (carbon and nitrogen molecular groups)
-coil into unique shapes

Question 9

How many different proteins are made with the 20 amino acids?

Answer 9

Over 100,000

Question 10

Lipids

Answer 10

-fat molecule
-consists of glycerol and fatty acid chains
-contain carbon

Question 11

Functions of Lipids

Answer 11

1.Energy source (breaking c-h bonds)
2.cell membrane transport
3.steroids -> inflammatory response
4.hormone -> chemical signaling
5. Insulation & cushioning

Question 12

Carbohydrates

Answer 12

-saccharides
-sugar groups contain carbon
-breaking C-H bonds provides energy

Question 13

Monosaccharides

Answer 13

1 sugar group

Question 14

Disaccharides

Answer 14

2 sugar groups

Question 15

Polysaccharides

Answer 15

Many sugar groups

Question 16

Nucleic acids

Answer 16

-Build proteins
-DNA & RNA

Question 17

Two types of nucleic acids

Answer 17

1. DNA
2. RNA

Question 18

DNA

Answer 18

-contains the genetic blueprint
-nucleotide bases ( A + T, C + G)
-“backbone” of alternating phosphate & sugar
-located in the nucleus
-double helix

Question 19

RNA

Answer 19

-half of a strand of DNA
-most formed in the nucleus
-single strand backbone
-uracil replaces thymine
-essential in building new proteins
-all found in the cytoplasm

Question 20

Transcription

Answer 20

-occurs in the nucleus of the cell
-how DNA creates RNA
-AKA protein synthesis

Question 21

3 types of RNA

Answer 21

1. Messenger RNA (mRNA)
2. Ribosomal RNA (rRNA)
3. Transfer RNA (tRNA)

Question 22

mRNA

Answer 22

-developed directly from DNA in the nucleus (transcription)
-exact copy of half strand of DNA
-moves into cytoplasm after being formed
-A+U, C+G

Question 23

Codon

Answer 23

-every three nucleotide bases on the mRNA
-code for a specific amino acid

Question 24

tRNA

Answer 24

-small molecules that “float” through the cytoplasm to located “free” amino acids
-each molecule “captures” a single amino acid
-brings amino acids back to mRNA strand
-after releasing, float back to cytoplasm for more AA’s

Question 25

rRNA

Answer 25

-links amino acids together in a specific order based on codon sequence
-once chain is complete, it leaves the ribosome into the cytoplasm to be “folded”

Question 26

Polypeptide chain

Answer 26

-protein chain made of connected AA’s

Question 27

Genes

Answer 27

-segments of DNA strand, serve a specific function
-usually synthesize a protein
-humans have ~23,000 genes

Question 28

Chromosomes

Answer 28

-long DNA strand would tightly
-2 identical strands of chromatids
-joined by a centromere
-46 (except sex)
-23 are sex
-1-22 are autosomes

Question 29

Inherited genetic disease

Answer 29

Got from mom or dad

Question 30

Mutation

Answer 30

-Altered AT or CG nucleotides
-cause the gene to not operate correctly or build proteins abnormally

Question 31

Monogenetic Disorder

Answer 31

-mutation in only 1 gene
-disease will occur if mutation is present

Question 32

Polygenetic Disorder