Week 1- Molecular Basis of Living Systems Flashcards
What are the basic properties of a cell
Cells are alive
Cells are highly complex and organized
Cells carry genetic information
Cells reproduce by division
Cells carry out metabolism
Cells respond to stimuli
Cell are highly complex and organized
Cells have consistent structures
Cells possess organelles
Organelles have distinct functions
Organelles consist of polymers
Polymers consist of building block molecules
Examples of Polymers Vs building block molecules
Nucleic Acid Vs Gene
Amino Acid Vs Protein
Cells carry genetic information
Cells contain nucleus
Nucleus contains chromosomes
Chromosomes contain genes
Genes contain specific information on cellular activities
Cell reproduce by division
Division: Content of one mother cell is distributed to two daughter cells
Genetic information is copied before division
Each daughter cells receives one copy of the duplicated genetic information
Cells carry out metabolism
Cells maintain complexity and structure by consuming energy
Energy is generated by metabolism
Cells carry out metabolism
Cells respond to stimuli
Cells respond to stimuli through receptors
Stimuli includes growth factors, hormones, chemicals and etc
Receptors are linked to a specific intercellular signalling cascade
Cascade determines cellular respond to stimuli
Responses include movement and division
Organelles of Eukaryotes
Mitochondria: generates energy
Endoplasmic reticulum: manufactures lipid and proteins
Golgi complex: transports materials to a specific location
Lysosome: Digest macromolecules to recycle
Nature of Biological Molecules
Hydrocarbons are the simplest organic molecules
Functional groups are found to replace hydrocarbon groups in many organic molecules important in biology
Functional groups include hydroxyl groups, carboxyl groups, sulfhydryl groups and amino groups
What are macromolecules
Form structures and carry out cellular activities such as protein, genes, polysaccharides
What are macromolecule building blocks
Most macromolecules have a short lifetime compared with cell (turnover of building blocks)
What are Metabolites
Intermediates of metabolic reactions
Molecules of miscellaneous function
Vitamins
Hormones
Energy storage (ATP)
Regulatory (cAMP)
Four types of Biological Molecules
Lipids
Nucleic Acid
Carbohydrates
Proteins
Carbohydrates
They are diverse macromolecules
Like monosaccharides like glucose
And Glycogen which is used for short term energy storage
Lipids and Fatty Acids
Long term energy storage form
One glycerol linked (condensation reaction) to three fatty acids (triacylglycerol)
Fatty acids may be different in composition (saturated or unsaturated)
Hydrophobic Long carbon chain
Hydrophilic COOH head
Stored in adipocytes
Proteins - General Information 1
Macromolecules with 20 amino acids as building blocks
Protein structures are specific and their function are unique
Carry out all cell activities
Enzymes influence metabolic reactions
Cytoskeletal elements provide structural support
Receptors determine cell responses
Motor protein are basis for movement
Antibodies constitute part of immune system
Proteins- General Information 2
Each amino acid has central C with 4 attached groups
2 attached groups are NH2 and COOH
Protein Synthesis links NH2 of one a.a to COOH of another a.a
R group determine inter and intra-molecular interaction and protein activity
Nucleic Acids
Mainly involved in storage and transmission of genetic information
Nucleic Acids consist of 3 groups - phosphates, sugar and base
DNA has a deoxyribose
RNA has a ribose
Purines consist of 2 rings and include adenine and guanine
Pyrimidines consist of 1 ring and includes cytosine and thymine (Uracil in RNA)
ATP provides energy
GTP provides cell signaling
Chemical Basis of Cells - Summary
Biological Molecules includes - carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and nucleic acids
Carbohydrate consist of macromolecules of sugar and is involved in short term energy storage
Lipid Molecules are hydrophobic and hydrophilic and involved in long term energy storage
Protein carry out most cell activities, consist of amino acids and have different levels of structure
Nucleic acids mainly involved in genetic information and consist of purines and pyrimidines
