Unit 2.1: Molecules To Metabolism Flashcards
Molecules to metabolism essential idea
Living organisms control their composition using a complex web of chemical reactions
Metabolism definition
Web of all enzyme catalyzed reactions in an organism
Molecular biology definition
Study of the molecular basis of biological activity on cells and living processes in terms of chemical substances and reactions involved
Carbon
- atomic #6
- 4 electrons in the outer shell
- can from 4 covalent bonds with different atoms
- 15th most abundant element
Carbon bonding
4 electrons in the outer shell form four covalent bonds with different atoms, the covalent bonds are very stable and allow for very large molecules to form in an almost infinite number of different combinations
Carbohydrates
- Contain carbon, hydrogen and oxygen
- organic compounds consisting of one or more simple sugars (monomers)
- monomers follow basic formula of CH2O
- E.g glucose, starch and ribose
Lipids
- contain carbon, hydrogen and oxygen
- non polar, insoluble in water, soluble in non-polar substances
- long chain like structure
- e.g triglycerides, steroids, phospholipids
Proteins
- carbon, hydrogen oxygen and nitrogen
- large organic compound made of amino acids arranged into one or more linear chains (polypeptides)
Nucleic acids
- carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen and phosphorous
- contains subunits called nucleotides
How to identify amino acid
- presence of a carbonyl group (-COOH)
- variable R group
- amino group (-NHH)
Identify fatty acid
- carbonyl group (-COOH) attached to hydrocarbon chain
Identify sugar
- pentagonal or hexagonal ring shape
- hydrogen to oxygen ratio 2:1
- ribose = 5 carbon
- glucose = 6 carbon
Polysaccharide
Carbohydrate consisting of a number of sugar molecules bonded together
Detecting polysaccharides
Iodine solution that turns blue in the presence of starch
Detecting proteins
Detected using Biuret test, the liquid turns purple in the presence of peptides
Anabolism
- Synthesis of complex molecules from simpler molecules
- requires input of energy
- includes the formation of macro mules from monomers by condensation
Catabolism
- breakdown of complex molecules into simpler molecules
- includes hydrolysis of macromules into monomers
- energy is released
Hydrolysis
Reaction involving the breaking of chemical nomads by the addition of water molecules
Condensation reaction
Reaction in which two smaller organic molecules combine to form a larger molecule with the accompanied formation of water
Urea
- Organic compound with the formula CO(NH2)2
- used by body to excrete nitrogen because it’s non toxic and highly stable
- Used as nitrogen fertilizer
Urea falsification of vitalism
-German chemist Friederich Wohler in 1928 artificially synthesised urea, in the process showing that synthesis of organic compounds from inorganic compounds was possible
Theory of vitalism
Organic compounds can only be synthesized by living organisms as they posses a mystical element not possessed by living organisms.
