Unit 2.1: Molecules To Metabolism

Question 1

Molecules to metabolism essential idea

Answer 1

Living organisms control their composition using a complex web of chemical reactions

Question 2

Metabolism definition

Answer 2

Web of all enzyme catalyzed reactions in an organism

Question 3

Molecular biology definition

Answer 3

Study of the molecular basis of biological activity on cells and living processes in terms of chemical substances and reactions involved

Question 4

Carbon

Answer 4

• atomic #6
• 4 electrons in the outer shell
• can from 4 covalent bonds with different atoms
• 15th most abundant element

Question 5

Carbon bonding

Answer 5

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

Question 6

Carbohydrates

Answer 6

• 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

Question 7

Lipids

Answer 7

• contain carbon, hydrogen and oxygen
• non polar, insoluble in water, soluble in non-polar substances
• long chain like structure
• e.g triglycerides, steroids, phospholipids

Question 8

Proteins

Answer 8

• carbon, hydrogen oxygen and nitrogen

- large organic compound made of amino acids arranged into one or more linear chains (polypeptides)

Question 9

Nucleic acids

Answer 9

• carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen and phosphorous

- contains subunits called nucleotides

Question 10

How to identify amino acid

Answer 10

• presence of a carbonyl group (-COOH)
• variable R group
• amino group (-NHH)

Question 11

Identify fatty acid

Answer 11

• carbonyl group (-COOH) attached to hydrocarbon chain

Question 12

Identify sugar

Answer 12

• pentagonal or hexagonal ring shape
• hydrogen to oxygen ratio 2:1
• ribose = 5 carbon
• glucose = 6 carbon

Question 13

Polysaccharide

Answer 13

Carbohydrate consisting of a number of sugar molecules bonded together

Question 14

Detecting polysaccharides

Answer 14

Iodine solution that turns blue in the presence of starch

Question 15

Detecting proteins

Answer 15

Detected using Biuret test, the liquid turns purple in the presence of peptides

Question 16

Anabolism

Answer 16

• Synthesis of complex molecules from simpler molecules
• requires input of energy
• includes the formation of macro mules from monomers by condensation

Question 17

Catabolism

Answer 17

• breakdown of complex molecules into simpler molecules
• includes hydrolysis of macromules into monomers
• energy is released

Question 18

Hydrolysis

Answer 18

Reaction involving the breaking of chemical nomads by the addition of water molecules

Question 19

Condensation reaction

Answer 19

Reaction in which two smaller organic molecules combine to form a larger molecule with the accompanied formation of water

Question 20

Urea

Answer 20

• 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

Question 21

Urea falsification of vitalism

Answer 21

-German chemist Friederich Wohler in 1928 artificially synthesised urea, in the process showing that synthesis of organic compounds from inorganic compounds was possible

Question 22

Theory of vitalism

Answer 22

Organic compounds can only be synthesized by living organisms as they posses a mystical element not possessed by living organisms.