2.1 Molecules to Metabolism

Understanding

• U1 Molecular biology explains living processes in terms of the chemical substances involved

• U2 Carbon atoms can form four covalent bonds allowing a diversity of stable compounds to exist

• U3 Life is based on carbon compounds including carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and nucleic acids

• U4 Metabolism is the web of all the enzyme-catalyzed reactions in a cell or organism

• U5 Anabolism is the synthesis of complex molecules from simpler molecules including the formation of macromolecules from monomers by condensation reactions

• U6 Catabolism is the breakdown of complex molecules into simpler molecules including the hydrolysis of macromolecules into monomers

Application

A1 Urea as an example of a compound that is produced by living organisms but can also be artificially synthesized

• Theory of Vitalism believed vital forces gave living things life

• urea is found in urine

  • believed to only be created through vital forces

• Wöhler creates it artificially using silver isocyanate and ammonium chloride

• begins disproving vitalism

Skills

S1 Drawing molecular diagrams of glucose, ribose, a saturated fatty acid and a generalized amino acid

Glucose

Ribose

S 2 Identification of biochemical such as sugars, lipids, or amino acids from molecular drawings

Saturated Fatty Acid

Amino Acids

S2 Identification of biochemical such as sugars, lipids, or amino acids from molecular drawings