Lecture #2: Atoms to organisms

Neuron

The longest cells in an animal body, with some spanning over a meter in length.

Cell

The basic unit of life.

Life is cellular

Organisms are composed of cells, including Bacteria, Archaea, Fungi, Plants, and Animals, but not viruses or prions.

Organelles

Compartmentalized structures within cells that perform specific tasks.

Macromolecules

Polymers composed of monomers,

Ex. Carbohydrates, Proteins, and Nucleic Acids.

Monomer

The basic building block of macromolecules.

Polymer

A large molecule composed of repeating structural units (monomers).

Carbohydrates

Biological molecules made of Carbon, Hydrogen, and Oxygen, including Monosaccharides, Disaccharides, and Polysaccharides.

Monosaccharide

The simplest form of carbohydrates, which polymerize to form larger carbohydrates.

Disaccharide

A carbohydrate formed from two monosaccharides.

Polysaccharide

A carbohydrate formed from multiple monosaccharides.

Amino Acids

The building blocks of proteins.

Proteins

Macromolecules that perform a variety of functions in the body, including catalyzing biochemical reactions.

Nucleic Acids

Macromolecules that carry genetic information, including DNA and RNA.

Transporter

A type of protein that moves substances across cell membranes.

Membrane

A barrier that separates the interior of a cell from the external environment.

Cytoplasm

The gel-like substance within a cell that contains organelles.

Cytoskeleton

A network of fibers that provides structural support to the cell.

Rough ER

Endoplasmic reticulum studded with ribosomes, involved in protein synthesis.

Smooth ER

Endoplasmic reticulum without ribosomes, involved in lipid synthesis.

Golgi

An organelle that modifies, sorts, and packages proteins and lipids for secretion.

Chromosomes

Structures within cells that contain genetic information.

Mitochondria

Organelles that produce energy for the cell through cellular respiration.

Polysaccharides

Each polysaccharide type has unique sense (chemical bonds) and unique monomers.

Properties of Proteins

Proteins have sense and informational properties.

Polypeptide

A chain of amino acids linked together.

Dipeptide

A molecule formed from two amino acids.

Nucleotides

The basic building blocks of nucleic acids (DNA/RNA).

Lipids

A diverse class of biological molecules consisting of Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, and many others.

Enzymes

Protein and sometimes nucleic acid catalysts that enhance the rate of biochemical reactions.

Membranes

Conglomeration of lipids, proteins, and carbohydrates that regulate the entry and exit of molecules.

Ribosome

Cellular structures that synthesize proteins.

Endoplasmic Reticulum

Network of membranous tubules (cisternae) with diverse metabolic roles.

Nucleus

Stores, copies, and transmits genetic information for the rest of the cell.

Golgi Apparatus

Combination of cisternae and vesicles in which biological molecules are processed and packed.

Mitochondrion

Performs respiratory metabolism to capture energy for the cell.

Chloroplast

Performs photosynthetic metabolism to synthesize sugars for the cell.

Tree of Life

Has many unique clades (groups of evolutionarily-related organisms).

Taxonomy

An organism's place or name within the organization of life.

Domains

The largest functional clades, which include Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukaryota.

Prokaryotes

Organisms like Bacteria and Archaea that are unicellular and lack membrane-bound organelles.

Eukaryotes

Organisms like Fungi, Plants, and Animals that can be unicellular or multicellular and have membrane-bound organelles.

Life Organization

Life is organized from atoms to organisms, including atoms, molecules, cells, tissues, organs, and organisms.