A2.1 Origins of cells, A2.2, A2.3 Flashcards
(112 cards)
Conditions of early earth (6)
Surface Temp: 75-95 C
single global ocean (no land masses)
bombarded by asteroids/comets
no ozone layer
hotter liquid inner core –> weaker magnetic field –> high levels of cosmic + solar (UV) radiation
extreme weather - electric storms
Asteroids/Comets in influencing early earth conditions (3)
asteroid/comets brought water + other compounds
collisions + volcanoes released methane + ammonia gas
earth’s early atmosphere - methane, ammonia, water vapour, CO2
How were carbon compounds formed from early earth (4)
reducing atmosphere due to reducing gases (ammonia + methane)
able to donate electrons to other molecules –> enables chemical reactions
reactions formed more complex carbon compounds (amino acids + hydrocarbons)
carbon compounds could be joined to form building blocks of cells (proteins, nucleic acids, lipids)
Define metabolism (2)
chemical reactions that take place in the cells of an organism
enzymes speed up these chemical reactions
Define response to stimuli/sensitivity (2)
responding to changes/external stimuli in environment
e.g detecting chemicals in environment –> moving towards or away from area
Define homeostasis (2)
maintenance of constant internal conditions
e.g active transport to control concentration of ions
Define movement
organisms having control over their position and location
Define growth (2)
increase in cell size + number or dry mass over period of time
e.g cell division
Define reproduction
production of offspring + passing down of genes
Define excretion
removal of metabolic waste
Define nutrition (2)
intake/production of nutrients
nutrients obtained through external environment or produced from inorganic material
Necessary steps for the spontaneous origin of cells to be brought about by evolution (5)
formation of simple organic compounds (amino acids + hydrocarbons)
catalysis - control over chemical reactions
larger organic molecules formed from simpler ones
self-replication of molecules
compartmentalisation - membrane to enclose cell contents
Aim of Miller and Urey’s experiment (2)
proving spontaneous origin of cells
simulate earth’s prebiotic conditions
Miller and Urey’s closed system (3)
water - simulated ocean
gas inlet - to add reducing gases (methane, ammonia, hydrogen)
electrical sparks - simulate electric storms
Procedure of Miller and Urey (4)
water vaporised –> run through gases + electric sparks
cooling jacket to condense water
water droplets represented primordial soup
water droplets collected + analysed
Results of Miller and Urey (3)
water droplets contained basic organic monomers (amino acids)
proved that non-living synthesis of organic compounds was possible
could have been how carbon compounds originated
Explain the spontaneous formation of vesicles (2)
fatty acids spontaneously coalesce due to hydrophobic/hydrophillic traits
formed spherical bilayer - curved to reduce hydrophobic tail exposure
Function of spontaneous formation of vesicles (2)
interior provides different chemical environment to outside
allows cell to control/maintain conditions (e.g pH level, solute concentration)
RNA first genetic material hypothesis (2)
basis for formation of first cell-structure
acts as genetic material + catalyst
What is suggested if the hypothesis that RNA was the first genetic material is true (5)
RNA formed from inorganic sources
able to replicate using ribozymes (RNA molecules with enzymatic activity)
able to catalyse protein synthesis
RNA able to produce DNA + protein
DNA became main genetic material due to being more stable
Evidence to support RNA first hypothesis (3)
RNA can self-replicate - short RNA sequences can duplicate other RNA molecules
RNA has some catalytic activity - could have initially acted as genetic material + enzymes
ribozymes still catalyse peptide bond formation in protein synthesis
Miller-Urey hypothesis
spontaneous generation of simple organic molecules in pre-earth conditions (amino acids, carbohydrates, lipids)
Metabolism first hypothesis (4)
simple metabolic reactions –>
simple metabolic pathways –>
formed more complex molecules –>
formed basis of cells
“Sulfur world” hypothesis
forms of life based on ion-sulfur chemistry