Exam 3 - lecture 5 Flashcards
4 phases of the first cell
Abiotic (nonliving) synthesis of simple
organic compounds
2. Abiotic polymerization of these into
macromolecules
3. Emergence of a macromolecule
capable of replication and storing
genetic information
4. Encapsulation of the first living
molecule within a simple membrane
Stanley Miller (1953
tested
the hypothesis that energy from lightning could have
powered production of simple organic compounds
from atmospheric gases.
The early atmosphere was thought to consist largely
of reduced gases such as hydrogen (H 2 ), methane
(CH4 ), ammonia (NH 3 ), and water vapor (H 2 O).
After a week of continuous exposure of gases to
electrical discharge, Miller checked the flask. He
detected two simple amino acids (alanine and
glycine).
This suggested that some organic compounds could
be produced under abiotic conditions
Deep-sea hydrothermal vents
provided ….
Deep-sea hydrothermal vents
provided a catalytic environment
for combining dissolved gases
into organic molecules.
Deoxyribonucleic acids, used to form DNA, are derived enzymatically from
the corresponding ribonucleotides
what came first RNA or DNA
bc of its strucutre and enzymatic reactions - This suggests that an “RNA world” existed before the appearance of DNA
and proteins
RNAs called ribozymes
re capable of performing certain enzymatic
reactions; for example, the formation of the peptide bonds during translation
Liposomes
Using lipids, scientists have
produced hollow, membrane-
bound vesicles
Under some circumstances,
these can carry out simple
metabolic reactions
Primordial lipids may have
come together in an early
ocean, trapping RNAs and
forming the first
“protocells”
Biologists recognized two types of cells
prokaryotes and eukaryotes
The simpler type is characteristic of bacteria (prokaryotes), and the more
complex type is characteristic of plants, animals, fungi, algae, and protozoa
(eukaryotes)
general characteristics of cells
Organizational complexity
Molecular components
Sizes and shapes
Specialization
what is the main distinction between euk and prok
The main distinction between the two cell types is the membrane-bounded
nucleus of eukaryotic cells
see slide
Based on rRNA sequence analysis, prokaryotic cells can be divided into the
widely divergent
bacteria and archaea
Sharing of a gross structural feature is ________ necessarily evidence of
relatedness
NOT
THreee domain table
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BActeria
most of the
commonly encountered single-
celled, non-nucleated organisms
traditionally called bacteri
common bacteria
Escherichia coli
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Streptococcus lactis
archea
were originally called archaebacteria before they were discovered
to be so different from bacteria
They include many species that live in extreme habitats and have diverse
metabolic strategie
EXTREME ENVIRONMENTS no nucleus
They are considered to have descended from a common ancestor that also
gave rise to eukaryotes long after diverging from bacteria
types of archaea examples
Methanogens—obtain energy from hydrogen and convert CO 2 into
methane
Halophiles—occupy extremely salty environments
Thermacidophiles—thrive in acidic hot springs
Halophiles
occupy extremely salty environments
Methanogens
obtain energy from hydrogen and convert CO 2 into
methane
Thermacidophiles
thrive in acidic hot springs
see cell size
slide
Cell size is limited by
The requirement for adequate surface area
relative to volume
B. The rates at which molecules can diffuse
C. The need to maintain adequate local
concentrations of substances required for
necessary cellular functions
explain surface area/volume ratio size limitation
In most cases, the major limit on cell size is set by
the need to maintain an adequate surface
area/volume ratio
Surface area is important because exchanges
between the cell and its surroundings take place at
the cell surface
The cell’s volume determines the amount of
exchange that must take place across the available
surface area
( SEE SLIDE THAT FOLLOWS)