BIOL1009 Flashcards

Flashcards covering key concepts from BIOL1009 lecture notes, focusing on the chemistry of life, molecular biology, genetics, metabolism, cell biology, microbiology, and applications in medicine and biotechnology.

What is a fundamental principle about the molecules of life?

Living organisms share common origins and are made up of similar molecules.

Which element is especially significant in the chemistry of life?

Carbon is a particularly important element in the makeup of living organisms.

What is the difference between polar and non-polar molecules in terms of their interaction with water?

Polar molecules are hydrophilic (water-loving), while non-polar molecules are hydrophobic (water-fearing).

Name the basic building blocks of life (macromolecules).

Water, carbohydrates (sugars), lipids, nucleic acids, and amino acids.

What are the main chemical components of nucleic acids and proteins/peptides?

Nucleic acids and proteins/peptides.

What is the primary role of DNA?

DNA is the source of genetic information.

Which base pairing is stronger in nucleic acids: C/G or A/T(U)?

C/G base pairing is stronger than A/T(U) base pairing.

What are the key structural and stability differences between DNA and RNA?

DNA contains deoxyribose, while RNA contains ribose; DNA is double-stranded and more stable, while RNA is typically single-stranded and less stable.

Outline the central dogma of molecular biology.

The central dogma of molecular biology explains that genetic information flows from DNA to RNA to protein.

Define the genome, transcriptome, and proteome.

Genome is the entire set of genetic material in a cell or organism, transcriptome is the set of all RNA transcripts, and proteome is the entire set of proteins.

What are the key features of the universal genetic code?

Triplet, non-overlapping, common to all organisms.

What is DNA replication?

DNA replication is the process of copying DNA from another DNA strand before cell division.

What are the unique problems associated with DNA replication?

Unwinding DNA, leading vs. lagging strand replication.

What is transcription?

Transcription is the process of copying DNA to RNA.

What is translation?

Translation is the process of converting a nucleic acid sequence to an amino acid sequence to produce a protein.

Describe the differences between primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary structure of proteins.

Primary is the amino acid sequence, secondary is local folding patterns (alpha helices, beta sheets), tertiary is the overall 3D structure, and quaternary is the arrangement of multiple protein subunits.

Name different types of energy transformations that cells need

Potential and kinetic energy

What are enzymes and what is their biological function?

Enzymes are biological catalysts that speed up reaction rates without changing the final concentrations of substrates and products.

How do vitamins function in enzyme activity?

Act as cofactors for enzymes.

How can enzyme inhibitors be used?

By acting as pharmaceutical drugs.

What theories exist on cell evolution?

Cell evolution theories suggest that complex cells formed either by simple cells joining together (endosymbiosis) or by parts of a cell folding inwards to create organelles (autogenous theory).

What role does compartmentalisation play in cellular function?

Compartmentalisation allows cells to separate different processes, making them more efficient and preventing interference between incompatible reactions.

What is the difference between anabolism and catabolism?

Anabolism is the synthesis of complex molecules, while catabolism is the breakdown of complex molecules.

Name anabolism/catabolism in cells.

anabolism: protein synthesis, Catabolism: cellular respiration

Name the passive processes of the cell membrane

Diffusion and osmosis

What are the key differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells?

Eukaryotes have membrane-bound organelles, while prokaryotes do not.

What are the classifications of cell receptors?

Cell-surface and internal receptors

Name the five major types of microbes.

Viruses, bacteria, fungi, protists, algae.

Name some key inventions and ideas in microbiology.

Microscopy, agar plates, germ theory, Koch’s postulates, penicillin.

What is the role of microbes in the food production and consumption chain?

Microbes are involved in soil health, fermentation, food spoilage, and food poisoning.

Define an autotroph and a heterotroph, and give microbial examples of each.

Autotrophs produce their own food (e.g., cyanobacteria), while heterotrophs consume other organisms (e.g., E. coli).

Define the terms microbiome and microbiota.

The microbiome is the entire collection of microorganisms and their genetic material in a particular environment, while microbiota refers to the specific types of microorganisms present.

What cause human disease?

Diseases caused by microbes

What makes microbes useful for biotechnology?

Microbes are useful in biotechnology because they grow quickly, are easy to change genetically, and can make helpful products or break down waste.They can also produce enzymes, metabolites, and are used in bioremediation.

Name terms used in biotechnology

DNA cloning, recombinant DNA, GMO

Name a material that's important in vaccine production

Plasmids

Compare the efficacy and production of vaccines for active immunity to passive immunity.

Vaccines provide active immunity by stimulating the immune system, while passive immunity involves receiving antibodies from an external source.

How can recombinant DNA methods be used to make vaccines?

By inserting a gene from a virus into another organism, like bacteria or yeast, so it produces a harmless viral protein that triggers an immune response without causing disease.

Explain how prokaryotes and eukaryotes are used as factories to produce medicinal products

Prokaryotes and eukaryotes can be used to make medicines by adding human genes; eukaryotes are better for complex drugs because they can change proteins after they’re made to help them work properly.

Why are medicinal plants important?

Because they contain natural compounds used to treat diseases, form the basis of many modern drugs, and offer accessible healthcare, especially in traditional and rural settings.

Name groups of compounds found in medicinal plants

Nitrogen-containing compounds (e.g. alkaloids), Phenolics (e.g. flavonoids), Terpenes (aroma and color chemicals, steroids).

What are anti-microbial agents of public health?

Substances like antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals, and disinfectants that are used to prevent or treat infections and stop the spread of harmful microbes.

What are types of biological regeneration?

Regeneration, non-identical regeneration and scarring

What is regenerative medicine?

A field of medicine that aims to repair or replace damaged cells, tissues, or organs using techniques like stem cell therapy and tissue engineering.