Lecture 3: Intro to Molecular Biology

What are the four macromolecules that make up life?

Carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids, and proteins.

What is the basic unit of a carbohydrate?

Sugar.

What is the basic unit of a lipid?

Fatty acid.

What is the basic unit of a nucleic acid?

Nucleotide.

What is the basic unit of a protein?

Amino acid.

How many essential amino acids must be obtained through nutrition?

Nine essential amino acids.

What distinguishes DNA from RNA?

DNA contains deoxyribose sugar, while RNA contains ribose sugar.

Which two elements are unique to nucleic acids compared to carbohydrates and lipids?

Nitrogen and phosphorus.

What experiment demonstrated that DNA is the heritable material?

The Hershey-Chase experiment.

What is the 'central dogma' of molecular biology?

DNA -> RNA -> Protein.

What type of bond forms to help hold the three-dimensional shape of a protein together?

Disulfide bonds.

What are viruses that infect bacteria called?

Bacteriophages.

What is the purpose of cloning and using restriction enzymes in biotechnology?

To insert specific genes into bacteria for mass production.

Which atoms are the building blocks of all macromolecules of life?

Carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur.

What important role do carbohydrates play in cells?

They provide energy and structure to cells.

What happens when lipids are used to store energy?

They store energy as fats in the body.

What defines life according to the lecture?

Life is defined as the ability to grow, consume nourishment, change that nourishment, and adapt to the environment.

What is an example of how organisms adapt to their environment mentioned in the lecture?

Snowshoe hares have adaptations in their feet and coloring to blend into snowy environments.