Chemistry in Life (Macromolecules)
What is a monomer?
A single subunit that can join together to form a polymer.
What is the function of the cell membrane?
It controls the movement of substances in and out of the cell.
What is photosynthesis?
The process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy stored in glucose.
What is a signal transduction pathway?
A series of molecular events and reactions that lead to a cellular response to a signal.
What is a phenotype?
The observable traits of an organism.
What are the four major macromolecules
Carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.
What organelle is known as the powerhouse of the cell?
Mitochondria.
What are the products of cellular respiration?
ATP, carbon dioxide, and water.
What role do receptors play in cell communication?
Receptors bind to signaling molecules to initiate a response inside the cell.
What is a genotype?
The genetic makeup of an organism.
What type of bond forms between amino acids?
Peptide bond
What is the difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells?
Prokaryotic cells lack a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles, while eukaryotic cells do have these structures.
Where does the Krebs cycle take place?
In the mitochondria.
What is the difference between autocrine and paracrine signaling?
Autocrine signaling affects the same cell that releases the signal, while paracrine signaling affects nearby cells.
What happens during translation?
Ribosomes synthesize proteins by reading the sequence of mRNA.
Describe the role of nucleic acids.
Nucleic acids store and transmit genetic information.
What is the function of ribosomes?
Ribosomes synthesize proteins by translating mRNA.
What is the role of ATP in cellular processes?
ATP serves as an energy currency for the cell.
Describe the importance of second messengers.
Second messengers amplify the signal from a receptor and help transmit it inside the cell.
What is the significance of crossing over?
Crossing over increases genetic variation by exchanging genetic material between homologous chromosomes during meiosis.
What is the primary structure of proteins?
The sequence of amino acids in a polypeptide chain.
Describe the endomembrane system.
A group of membranes and organelles that work together to modify, package, and transport lipids and proteins.
Compare and contrast aerobic and anaerobic respiration.
Aerobic respiration requires oxygen and produces more ATP, while anaerobic respiration occurs without oxygen and produces less ATP.
How do hormones affect target cells?
Hormones bind to specific receptors on target cells to initiate a physiological response.
Describe the function of tRNA.
tRNA transports amino acids to the ribosome during protein synthesis.