Molecular biology Flashcards
(79 cards)
what kind of reactions are there
metabolic processes, anabolic reactions and catabolic reactions
metabolism
the totality of chemical reactions that occur in a cell or organism, controlled by enzymes
expression of enzymes is regulated by…
gene activation
2 key functions of metabolism
1) to provide a source of energy for cellular processes (growth, reproduction, etc)
2) to enable the synthesis and assimilation of new materials for use in the cell
metabolic reactions follow…
anabolic or catabolic pathways
anabolism
the synthesis of complex molecules from simple molecules including the formation of macromolecules from monomers by condensation reactions
anabolism …
builds up complex molecules from simple ones
what happens in anabolism (chemicaly)
monomers are covalently joined and H2O is produced as a by-product
how is anabolism possible
it requires energy supplied from ATP
anabolism includes the following processes
1) protein synthesis using ribosomes
2) DNA synthesis during replication
3) photosynthesis, including production of glucose from carbon dioxide and water
4) synthesis of complex carbohydrates including starch, cellulose and glycogen
catabolism
the breakdown of complex molecules into simpler ones including hydrolysis of macromolecules into monomers
some monomers
glucose, amino acids
catabolism chemically
covalent bonds are broken via the consumption of H2O
how is catabolism possible
it releases energy and in some cases it is captured in form of ATP
what processes does catabolism include
1) digestion of food in the mouth, stomach and small intestine
2) cell respiration in which glucose or lipids are oxidized to carbon dioxide and water
3) digestion of complex carbon compounds in dead organic matter by decomposers
how many bonds can carbon form
4 covalent bonds
exception to the 4 covalent bonds
carbonates, oxides of carbon and hydrogen carbonates
covalent bond
the strongest type of bond, so stable molecules based on carbon can be produced
4 bonds can be…
4 single covalent bonds or 2 single and 1 double bond
organic compunds
glucose, fats, proteins
the angle in carbon bonds
109.5
carbon based compounds found in living organisms
lipids, carbohydrates, nucleic acids
hydrolysis reaction
the breaking in which 2 smaller organic molecules combine by the addition of H20 molecules
condensation reaction
the reaction in which 2 smaller organic molecules combine to form a larger molecule with the accompanied formation of H20 or come other simple molecule
