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Questions and Answers
Which four elements are classified as major elements in biological systems?
Which four elements are classified as major elements in biological systems?
- Calcium, Hydrogen, Carbon, Nitrogen
- Oxygen, Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Sulfur
- Iron, Zinc, Copper, Manganese
- Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen (correct)
What percentage of the major elements is made up of hydrogen in biological systems?
What percentage of the major elements is made up of hydrogen in biological systems?
- 9%
- 63% (correct)
- 25%
- 2%
Which element is crucial for the function of the Na/K pump?
Which element is crucial for the function of the Na/K pump?
- Calcium
- Sodium (correct)
- Potassium (correct)
- Iron
Which biomacromolecule type includes DNA and RNA?
Which biomacromolecule type includes DNA and RNA?
Which of the following elements is required for the synthesis of vitamin B12?
Which of the following elements is required for the synthesis of vitamin B12?
What is the role of iron in the blood based on its oxidation states?
What is the role of iron in the blood based on its oxidation states?
Which organelle is not a part of the list of organelles created from biomacromolecules?
Which organelle is not a part of the list of organelles created from biomacromolecules?
How does the complexity of cells relate to their organization?
How does the complexity of cells relate to their organization?
What key feature distinguishes eukaryotes from prokaryotes?
What key feature distinguishes eukaryotes from prokaryotes?
Which of the following processes is involved when DNA viruses infect a host cell?
Which of the following processes is involved when DNA viruses infect a host cell?
How do RNA viruses differ in their infection mechanism compared to DNA viruses?
How do RNA viruses differ in their infection mechanism compared to DNA viruses?
Which of the following is true regarding DNA viruses?
Which of the following is true regarding DNA viruses?
What is a characteristic of micromolecules mentioned in the content?
What is a characteristic of micromolecules mentioned in the content?
In the context of viral lifecycle, what occurs after the RNA gets degraded during RNA virus infection?
In the context of viral lifecycle, what occurs after the RNA gets degraded during RNA virus infection?
What role does Reverse Transcriptase serve in the lifecycle of RNA viruses?
What role does Reverse Transcriptase serve in the lifecycle of RNA viruses?
Which type of nucleic acid can RNA viruses produce after their replication cycle?
Which type of nucleic acid can RNA viruses produce after their replication cycle?
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Study Notes
Chemical Evolution of Life
- The universe's big bang theory resulted in the emission of subatomic particles and formation of elements, particularly Hydrogen.
- Elements combined to create small molecules, which evolved into larger molecules and ultimately biomacromolecules, leading to the formation of the first cells.
Element Classification
- Elements are categorized into major, minor, and biomacromolecules.
- Major Elements: Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, and Nitrogen constitute over 99% of elements in organisms.
- Hydrogen: approximately 63% of major elements.
- Oxygen: around 25%.
- Carbon: roughly 9%.
- Nitrogen: about 2%.
Minor Elements and Their Functions
- Minor elements include metals and nonmetals, crucial for various biological functions.
- Metals:
- Sodium (Na) and Potassium (K): essential for Na/K pump and heart function.
- Iron (Fe2+ and Fe3+): indicates oxygenated (red) and deoxygenated (blue) blood states.
- Calcium (Ca): integral to bone structure.
- Phosphorus (P): found in proteins and nucleic acids.
- Zinc (Zn): detoxification in the liver, aids alcohol dehydrogenase.
- Copper (Cu): present in mitochondrial complexes.
- Cobalt (Co): component of vitamin B12, deficiency may cause anemia.
- Nonmetals:
- Chlorine (Cl): important for gut chlorine channels.
- Iodine (I): necessary for thyroid function, boosts immune defense.
- Sulfur (S) and Selenium (Se): incorporated into proteins.
- Metals:
Biomacromolecules
- Divided into micromolecules and macromolecules.
- Macromolecules: Include polysaccharides, nucleic acids (DNA, RNA), proteins/enzymes, and lipids.
- Serve as building blocks for organelles (e.g., mitochondria, nucleus).
- Cells consist of various organelles that collaborate to form living organisms.
Cell Classification
- Cells can be classified as prokaryotes or eukaryotes.
- Prokaryotes: Simple cells lacking compartmentalization and membrane-bound organelles; have a nucleoid region containing DNA.
- Eukaryotes: More complex, possess membrane-bound organelles and a nucleus.
Viruses
- Macromolecules can lead to the formation of viruses.
- Differentiate between DNA viruses (e.g., SV40, plant viruses) and RNA viruses (e.g., COVID-19, Ebola, Zika, HIV).
- DNA viruses are inactive until they infect a host cell, using flagella for movement and hijacking cellular machinery for replication.
- RNA viruses integrate into host cells differently, forming RNA-DNA hybrids.
- Reverse Transcriptase facilitates the transition from single-stranded RNA to DNA, leading to the production of more viruses.
Micromolecules
- Micromolecules are smaller than macromolecules and the building blocks of life.
- Examples include H2O, CO2, NH3, NO3-, PO4 3-, glucose, and fatty acids.
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