Topic 2: Molecular Biology

2.1 Molecules to Metabolism

• Organic Compounds: Carbs, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids.

• Anabolism vs Catabolism

2.2 Water

• Hydrogen Bonding, Cohesion, Adhesion, Thermal properties.

• Water vs Methane: Comparison of physical properties.

2.3 Carbohydrates and Lipids

• Monosaccharides, Disaccharides, Polysaccharides

• Saturated vs Unsaturated Fatty Acids

• Energy Storage: Lipids vs carbohydrates.

2.4 Proteins

• Amino Acids: Structure and peptide bonds.

• Protein Structure: Primary to quaternary.

• Denaturation: pH, temperature.

• Functions: Enzymes, antibodies, hormones, etc.

2.5 Enzymes

• Active Site, Lock and Key, Induced Fit.

• Factors: Temperature, pH, substrate concentration.

• Inhibition: Competitive vs non-competitive.

• Immobilized Enzymes: Uses in industry.

2.6 Structure of DNA and RNA

• Nucleotides: Structure, base pairing.

• DNA vs RNA

• Double Helix: Watson & Crick model, antiparallel strands.

2.7 DNA Replication, Transcription and Translation

• Semi-Conservative Replication: Helicase, DNA polymerase.

• Transcription: mRNA synthesis in nucleus.

• Translation: tRNA, ribosomes, codons, polypeptides.

• Codon Charts: Understand how to read them.

2.8 Cell Respiration

• Aerobic vs Anaerobic

• Glycolysis, Krebs cycle, ETC (brief)

• Yeast in Bread and Alcohol

2.9 Photosynthesis

• Light-Dependent & Light-Independent Reactions

• Chlorophyll Absorption Spectrum

• Limiting Factors: Light, CO₂, temperature.