Biology Cell and Molecules Overview

Flashcards based on the lecture notes covering key biological concepts related to cells and molecules.

What are the 4 main macromolecules found in the human body?

Proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids.

What are the monomers used to build proteins?

Amino acids.

What are the monomers used to build carbohydrates?

Monosaccharides.

What are the monomers used to build lipids?

Fatty acids and glycerol.

What are the monomers used to build nucleic acids?

Nucleotides.

What is the function of proteins?

Catalyzing reactions, providing structure, and facilitating communication.

What is the function of carbohydrates?

Providing energy and structural support.

What is the function of lipids?

Storing energy, signaling, and acting as structural components of cell membranes.

What is the function of nucleic acids?

Storing and transmitting genetic information.

What happens in catabolic reactions?

They break down molecules to release energy.

What happens in anabolic reactions?

They build up molecules using energy.

What is hydrolysis?

The chemical breakdown of a compound due to reaction with water.

What is dehydration synthesis?

The process of joining two molecules by removing water.

What is the function of phospholipids in the plasma membrane?

They form the bilayer structure that acts as a barrier for the cell.

What are transport proteins?

Proteins that facilitate the movement of ions and molecules across the plasma membrane.

What is passive transport?

The movement of substances across a cell membrane without the use of energy.

What is active transport?

The movement of substances across a cell membrane using energy.

What is diffusion?

The process of moving substances from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration.

What is facilitated diffusion?

The process of spontaneous passive transport of molecules or ions across a biological membrane via specific transmembrane integral proteins.

What is osmosis?

The diffusion of water across a selectively permeable membrane.

What is glycolysis?

The metabolic pathway that converts glucose into pyruvate, producing ATP.

What is the Citric Acid Cycle (Krebs Cycle)?

A series of chemical reactions used by all aerobic organisms to generate energy through the oxidization of acetyl-CoA.

What is the Electron Transport Chain?

A series of protein complexes and other molecules that transfer electrons from electron donors to electron acceptors.

What is the role of oxygen in cellular respiration?

It acts as the final electron acceptor in the electron transport chain.

What is fermentation?

A metabolic process that converts sugar to acids, gases, or alcohol in the absence of oxygen.

What is photosynthesis?

The process by which green plants and some other organisms use sunlight to synthesize foods with the help of chlorophyll.

What are autotrophs?

Organisms that produce their own food from inorganic substances.

What are heterotrophs?

Organisms that obtain food by consuming other organisms.

What is the overall chemical equation for photosynthesis?

6CO2 + 6H2O + light energy -> C6H12O6 + 6O2.

What occurs during carbon fixation?

The conversion of inorganic CO2 into organic molecules during photosynthesis.

What enzyme performs carbon fixation?

Ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBisCO).

How many turns of the Calvin Cycle are needed to produce one glucose?

Six turns.

How are photosynthesis and cellular respiration related?

They are opposite processes; the products of photosynthesis are the reactants of cellular respiration and vice versa.

What is the role of DNA in cells?

To store and transmit genetic information.

What is transcription?

The process of copying a segment of DNA into RNA.

What is translation?

The process of translating the mRNA into a protein.

What are chromosomes?

Structures within cells that contain DNA.

What occurs during each phase of mitosis?

Mitosis consists of prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase, leading to cell division.