Lectures 1 - 9

Question 1

Are prions living?

Answer 1

DEF: misfolded proteins that transmit misfolded shape onto normal variants of the same protein.
- no DNA (still able to replicate) so not living.

Question 2

what are the 2 main phases of glycolysis

Answer 2

Preparatory and Payoff

Question 3

what is the net output of ATP from glycolysis

Answer 3

2 ATP (per glucose molecule). 2 are consumed in the preparatory phase and 4 are produced in the payoff

Question 4

Are viruses living?

Answer 4

Pros: contain nucleic acid, viruses can replicate evolve and adapt to the environment.
Cons: cannot independently replicate (reply on host cell), do not contain metabolic processes to be considered “alive”.

Question 5

what are the products of glycolysis

Answer 5

pyruvate, water, protons (H+), ATP and NADH

Question 6

What forces created life on Earth?

Answer 6

1. formed spontaneously on Earth.
2. extra-terrestrial origin - life from another planet (panspermia).

Question 7

what are the products of the krebs cycle

Answer 7

GTP, NADH, FADH2, CO2

Question 8

what are the 2 parts of oxidative phosphorylation

Answer 8

The electron transport chain and chemiosmosis

Question 9

What is a protocell?

Answer 9

Formed from fatty acids
1. hydrophobic tale (no water)
2. hydrophilic head (water-loving)
Form membranes - that created conditions for molecules/bases (DNA/RNA) to form.

Question 10

where does the high concentration of protons build up during the electron transport chain

Answer 10

the intermembrane space

Question 11

What are the 4 parts to cell theory?

Answer 11

1. cells = fundamental units of life.
2. all living organisms = comprised of cells.
3. all cells come from pre-existing cells.
4. modern cells evolve from a common ancestor (change from lipid layer to fully functional cell).

Question 12

what inhibits the activity of phosphofructokinase

Answer 12

a high concentration of ATP

Question 13

define metabolism

Answer 13

the sum of all chemical reactions occurring in a biological system at a given time

Question 14

what is a reaction that produces energy called

Answer 14

exergonic

Question 15

what is a reaction that consumes energy called

Answer 15

endergonic

Question 16

what is a catabolic reaction

Answer 16

a reaction that breaks down large, complex molecules into smaller ones, often releasing energy

Question 17

What do the similarities between living organisms represent?

Answer 17

• All life on Earth has a common ancestor (protocell - formed, replicate, fully functioning cell).
• the process of evolution
• conservation held across
• same genetic code, chemical composition & cellular structure (biochem unity of life).
• 1st protocell –> creates all cells today.

Question 18

what is an anabolic reaction

Answer 18

a reaction that builds up smaller molecules to form more complex

Question 19

what is the enzyme responsible for the production of ATP

Answer 19

ATP synthase

Question 20

What did Charles Darwin propose?

Answer 20

Evolution occurs by natural selection (selection pressures).
Variation –> Differential Reproduction –> Evolution

Question 21

What happened to life on Earth when liquid water became present?

Answer 21

Water = ‘matrix of life’/universal solvent.
Life arose shortly after liquid water became abundant on Earth.

Question 22

What is the Cambrian Explosion?

Answer 22

• rapid diversification of life, most animal groups arose.
• e.g. stromatolites, fossilized cyanobacteria.

Question 23

What are the 4 different macromolecules?

Answer 23

1. Nucleic Acid
2. Proteins
3. Carbohydrates
4. Lipids

Question 24

What are the building blocks of Nucleic Acids?

Answer 24

Nucleotides