U1 Concept 1: Biology Review

Cell

Basic unit of life

Organelle

specialized structure that performs important cellular functions within a eukaryotic cell

Macromolecule

A very large organic molecule composed of many smaller molecules

Nucleotide

monomer of nucleic acids made up of a 5-carbon sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base

Fatty acid

hydrocarbon chain often bonded to glycerol in a lipid

Monosaccharide

A single sugar molecule such as glucose or fructose, the simplest type of sugar.

Amino acid

Building blocks of protein

Enzyme

A type of protein that speeds up a chemical reaction in a living thing

Catalyst

substance that speeds up the rate of a chemical reaction

Active site

The part of an enzyme or antibody where the chemical reaction occurs.

Differentiation

process in which cells become specialized in structure and function

List the characteristics that all living things share.

1. Made of cells—> basic form of life

2. Responds to stimuli—> maintains homeostasis

3. Able to grow and reproduce

4. Use energy—> ATP (have metabolism)

5. Contains DNA & RNA—> heredity information-> stirred in chromosomes (46, except sex cells=23)

6. Adapt to environment

Describe the role of each organelle in the overall function of the cell.

Explain the structure of the cell membrane and how its structure allows it to control what goes in and out of the cell.

Selectively permeable membrane

The arrangement of the phospholipids allows some molecules to easily pass through and others to require more effort.

Pass easily: Small, non-polar, hydrophobic, neutral molecules and water (even though H2O is polar it is reallyyyy tiny!)

Cannot pass easily: Polar molecules (must go through protein channels) and large molecules (must use vesicles)

Explain the importance of each macromolecule to the overall function of the cells and thus the human body.

1) Carbohydrates: quick energy

2) Lipids: long-term energy, cushion

3) Proteins: everything

Never) Nucleic acids: hereditary information

(Numbered in order body breaks down)

Macromolecules make us who we are and keep us alive

Distinguish between the following terms: DNA, chromosomes, and genes. Then explain their relationship to proteins.

DNA contains the genetic information. It is organized into 46 chromosomes, which are sectioned of into thousands of genes—> these code for and make proteins

Explain the role of enzymes in biochemical reactions, including the importance of their specificity.

Enzymes are catalysts (speed up reactions)

Highly specific—> lock & key

Every reaction is regulated by enzymes

(***enzymes are proteins)

List the levels of organization within an organism.

Organism—> organ systems—> organs—> tissues—> cells—> organelles

Example: human—> cardiovascular system—> heart—> cardiac tissue—> cardiac myocytes—> mitochondria

Summarize the process of the cell cycle in somatic (body) cells. Include the name of each sub- phase, and the critical importance of chromosome duplication prior to cell division.

3 main phases:

Interphase: where the cell spends most of its "life"

- DNA is doubled sister chromatids (I X) during the end of this phase in preparation for division

Mitosis: where the cell begins to divide

- Consists of Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase, and Telophase

Cytokinesis: where the cytoplasm splits forming 2 identical daughter cells

- These cells are also identical to the parent cell unless a random mutation occurred.

***if the chromosome don't duplicate prior to cell division then there will be half the number of chromosomes in the daughter cells and they will not be identical, they will be missing chromosomes, and will likely die

Explain what is meant by the phrase "form dictates function" and why it will be an essential theme in this course.

Form dictates function is so important because our bodies are made the way they are for a reason. If we can understand the structure of our bodies it will help us understand the function. Each part of our body looks a certain way and is built to fit needs of the function.

Identify an organelle based on a diagram or description of its structure.

Given the description of a cell's function, determine the most essential organelles needed in the cell to carry out that specific function.

Given appropriate context, be able to arrange a list of body organization levels from smallest to broadest, or vice versa.