MMBIO Module 1 (Chapter 1, 2)

Chemical, Cellular, and Evolutionary Foundations of Life

hypothesis

a predictive statement that can be tested through experimentation or further observation

steps of scientific inquiry

exploration, investigation, communication

theory

a general explanation of the world supported by a wide variety of experiments and observations, often over a long period of time

first law of thermodynamics

energy can neither be created nor destroyed

cell

simplest unit of life

central dogma

flow of information from DNA to RNA to protein

gene

DNA sequence that corresponds to a functional product, like a protein

two sources of energy for organisms

the sun and chemical compounds

metabolism

chemical reactions that convert energy from one form to another and build or break down molecules

ATP

chemical form/storage of energy, easily accessible

generally, all cells: (hint, BEI)

a. have boundaries separating cell interior from environment

b. can use energy from environment

c. contain stable blueprint of information

qualifications for life (AHEaTgCOI)

adaptation, homeostasis, energy acquisition, transmission of genetic information, complexity, organization, interaction

anabolism

synthesis of larger molecules

catabolism

breaking down of larger molecules

neutrons determine

isotope type

electrons determine

ionization

covalent bond

atoms share electrons

polar covalent bond

electrons are shared unequally between atoms

chemical reaction

atoms change what they are bonded to

ionic bond

formed by attraction of molecule with positive charge and negative charge

hydrogen bond (dotted line)

eletronegatively-bound hydrogen bonds to another electronegative molecule’s atom

why carbon based molecules are so structurally diverse (4TRC)

can form four covalent bonds, tetrahedron spacing, ability to rotate freely, can form chains

isomer

same chemical formula, different structure

the four carbon based molecule classes essential for cells

proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, lipids

polymer

complex molecule made of simpler units repeated, connected with covalent bonds

the four parts of an amino acid

amino group, alpha carbon group, r group, carboxyl group

parts of a nucleotide

phosphate group, base, 5 carbon sugar

pyramidine (single ring) bases

cytosine, thymine, uracil

purine (double ring) bases

guanine, adenine

phosphodiester bond

joins nucleotides in DNA and RNA

complex carbohydrates

long, branched chains of monosaccharides

glycosidic bonds

link carbohydrate molecules together

triacylglycerol

lipid used for energy storage; 3 fatty acids bound to a glycerol

types of lipids

fatty acids, steroids, phospholipids

fatty acid composition

hydrocarbon chain plus carboxyl group