Biology: DNA, RNA, Lipids, Microbial Media, and Organic Macromolecules

DNA

Has deoxyribose sugar; uses bases A, T, C, G; double-stranded (5'→3').

RNA

Has ribose sugar; uses bases A, U, C, G; typically single-stranded.

Lipids

Not polymers; three types: (1) Fats. (2) Phospholipids, (3) Sterols 

Fats

glycerol backbone, 3 Fatty acid, Triglycerides, makes energy and insulation.

Phospholipids

glycerol backbone, 2 fattyacids and a phosphate Hydopholic head and tail.

Sterols

4 fused rings; control membrane fluidity.

Unsaturated Fats

Healthy fats with C=C bonds.

Saturated Fats

Less healthy fats with C-C bonds.

Hydrophobic

Most lipids are ________ because they are uncharged and nonpolar.

Binary Fission

A type of asexual reproduction in prokaryotes where DNA replicates, cell elongates, septum forms, and the cell splits into two identical offspring.

Chemically Defined Media

Exact chemical composition is known (Recipe-based).

Chemically Complex Media

Already made;

Contains extracts or peptone;

Differential Medium

Tells 2 microbes apart (e.g., Blood Agar).

Selective Medium

Grows one specific type of microbe(Ampicillin)

Ampicillin promotes what?

Resistance, to grow a specific microbe

ChromAgar ECC Blue?

E.coli

ChromAgar Purple?

fecal Coliforms

Acidophiles

Microbes that grow below pH 6.0.

Neutrophiles

Microbes that grow at pH 6.0-7.5.

Alkaliphiles

Microbes that grow above pH 7.5.

Nonhalophile

Grows at <2% NaCl.

Halotolerant

Grows at 0-8% NaCl. ( Can grow with or without)

Obligate Halophile

Requires 2-20% NaCl. ( must have something)

Extreme Halophile

Requires 20-30% NaCl.

Thioglycolate Deeps

20% at top, no oxy at. bottom

Obligate Aerobes

Need oxygen to grow.

Facultative Anaerobes

Can grow without oxygen but prefer it.( E.coli)

Anaerobes

Grow only without oxygen.

Water

Essential for microbes; excellent solvent, temperature moderator, and insulator.

Dehydration Synthesis

Builds larger molecules and releases water (H₂O = product).

Hydrolysis

Breaks down molecules and uses water (H₂O = reactant).

Organic Compounds

Contain both carbon (C) and hydrogen (H).

Inorganic Compounds

Lack either carbon or hydrogen.

Functional Groups

Aldehyde: R-C=O-H; Ketone: R-C=O-R; Carboxyl: R-C=O-OH.

Carbohydrates

Subunit: monosaccharides.

Proteins

Subunit: amino acids.

Nucleic Acids

Subunit: nucleotides.

Monosaccharide

Example: glucose.

Disaccharide

Example: maltose (H₂O is reactant).

Polysaccharide

Example: cellulose (hundreds of glucose units).

Functions of Carbohydrates

Energy source, cell wall component (cellulose).