Topic 2: Molecular Biology

Question 1

what is metabolism

Answer 1

enzyme-catalyzed reactions that occur within a living organism in order to maintain life

Question 2

what are organic compounds

Answer 2

molecules that contain carbon and found in all living things

Question 3

what are the 4 biomacromolecules

Answer 3

carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids

Question 4

describe anabolism

Answer 4

turning simple molecules into complex ones through condensation reaction

Question 5

example of an anabolic process

Answer 5

photosynthesis

Question 6

describe catabolism

Answer 6

breaking down complex molecules into simple ones through hydrolysis

Question 7

example of a catabolic process

Answer 7

cellular respiration

Question 8

list the properties of water

Answer 8

cohesive, adhesive, solvent, thermal

Question 9

outline what it means for water to be cohesive

Answer 9

water can form hydrogen bonds with other water, high surface tension

Question 10

outline what it means for water to be solvent

Answer 10

hydrophilic substances can dissolve in water

Question 11

outline what it means for water to be thermal

Answer 11

water can absorb large amounts of heat energy, high boiling point

Question 12

what is a monosaccharide

Answer 12

the monomer of a carbohydrate

Question 13

give 2 examples of a monosaccharide

Answer 13

glucose and ribose

Question 14

polysaccharide = ?

Answer 14

monosaccharide + monosaccharide

Question 15

list 3 types of polysaccharides (hint: think about glucose)

Answer 15

cellulose, starch, glycogen

Question 16

cellulose = ?

Answer 16

b-glucose + b-glucose

Question 17

where can cellulose be found

Answer 17

plant cell wall

Question 18

starch = ?

Answer 18

a-glucose + a-glucose

Question 19

where can starch be found

Answer 19

energy storage in plants

Question 20

glycogen = ?

Answer 20

a-glucose + a-glucose

Question 21

where can glycogen be found

Answer 21

energy storage in animals

Question 22

list the 4 types of lipids and their significance

Answer 22

triglyceride (adipose tissues),
phospholipid (bilayer),
cholesterol (animal cell membrane),
steroids (hormones)

Question 23

what is the monomer of a protein

Answer 23

amino acid

Question 24

what connects amino acids to form proteins

Answer 24

peptide bonds

Question 25

outline the structure of protein

Answer 25

primary - sequence of amino acids secondary - a-helices and b-pleated sheets coiling or folding the protein together tertiary - protein takes on 3D shape quaternary - multiple polypeptide chains together

Question 26

describe the denaturation of a protein

Answer 26

can be caused by change in temperature or pH, results in unfolding of the protein

Question 27

what is an enzyme

Answer 27

a globular protein that speeds up the rate of a reaction by lowering the activation energy

Question 28

what are the key parts of the catalysis of an enzyme

Answer 28

the enzyme reacts with the SUBSTRATE and binds to the ACTIVE SITE

Question 29

what is the lock and key model and is it currently accepted

Answer 29

theory that the substrate fits perfectly into the active site (not currently accepted)

Question 30

what is the induced fit model and is it currently accepted

Answer 30

theory that the active site changes its shape to fit the substrate perfectly (currently accepted)

Question 31

list the 3 factors affecting enzyme activity

Answer 31

temperature, pH, substrate concentration

Question 32

what is a nucleotide

Answer 32

monomer of a nucleic acid

Question 33

list the 3 basic components of a nucleotide

Answer 33

pentose sugar, phosphate group, nitrogenous base ("a house with a pool and a yard")

Question 34

what are the nitrogenous bases

Answer 34

adenine, thymine, guanine, cytosine (and also uracil...)

Question 35

outline the structure of DNA

Answer 35

two complementary strands line up in opposite directions, anti-parallel, with the bases facing inwards and connected by hydrogen bonds (G ≡ C and A = T) ... forms a double helix!

Question 36

outline the structure of RNA

Answer 36

polynucleotide chain remains single stranded, but may fold upon itself to form double stranded motifs

Question 37

who figured out the structure of DNA

Answer 37

Watson and Crick

Question 38

formula for cellular respiration

Answer 38

C6H12O6 + 6O2 → 6 CO2 + 6H2O + ATP

Question 39

what is cellular respiration

Answer 39

controlled release of energy from organic compounds to produce ATP

Question 40

describe aerobic respiration (overall yield energy, products, location, process)

Answer 40

overall yield energy: 36-38 ATP products: CO2 + H2O location: cytoplasm and mitochondria process: by glycolysis, uses oxygen, fully breaks down glucose

Question 41

describe anaerobic respiration (overall yield energy, products, location, process)

Answer 41

overall yield energy: 2 ATP products: lactic acid / ethanol and CO2 location: cytoplasm process: by glycolysis, no oxygen, partially breaks down glucose

Question 42

what is the full form of ATP

Answer 42

adenosine triphosphate (3 phosphate groups so more energy)

Question 43

what is the full form of ADP

Answer 43

adenosine diphosphate (only 2 phosphate groups so less phosphate)

Question 44

what is fermentation

Answer 44

process of breaking down carbohydrates in the absence of oxygen

Question 45

what does the fermentation of bread and alcohol produce

Answer 45

ethanol and CO2

Question 46

what does the fermentation of yogurt and cheese produce

Answer 46

lactic acid

Question 47

what is a respirometer

Answer 47

device that measures the rate of cell respiration by measuring the rate of exchange of O2 and CO2

Question 48

outline the process of respirometry

Answer 48

1. living organism (ex: germinating seeds or invertebrate organism) enclosed in container 2. CO2 measured using data logger 2. O2 measured by pressure change shown in water tube

Question 49

what are the 5 factors that impact respiration rates

Answer 49

temperature, hydration, light, age, activity levels