Biochemistry: Elements, Molecules & Functional Groups
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Questions and Answers

If a biochemist is studying the reaction rates of a metabolic pathway, which aspect of biochemistry is being investigated?

  • The informational content encoded within DNA sequences.
  • The structural composition of cellular organelles.
  • The mechanical properties of structural proteins.
  • The dynamic interactions and transformations of biomolecules. (correct)

Which characteristic distinguishes biochemistry from general chemistry?

  • Biochemistry is concerned with the synthesis of inorganic compounds.
  • Biochemistry focuses solely on reactions in a laboratory setting.
  • Biochemistry studies the structures, functions, and interactions of biological macromolecules. (correct)
  • Biochemistry uses only computational methods; general chemistry uses only experimental.

Which of the following best describes the central dogma of molecular biology, and thus the flow of information?

  • Protein -> RNA -> DNA
  • RNA -> Protein -> DNA
  • DNA -> Protein -> RNA
  • DNA -> RNA -> Protein (correct)

Predict what would happen if a critical enzyme involved in DNA replication had its activity significantly reduced due to a mutation?

<p>The organism would likely experience impaired growth and development due to errors in replication. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

If a researcher is investigating the effects of a novel drug on a specific metabolic pathway within liver cells, which unit of biological organization is the primary focus of this study?

<p>A specific tissue (liver) and its cells (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which functional group is present in the following compound? (Image of a compound containing an ester group is assumed but not provided)

<p>Ester (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Inosine contains which of the following functional groups?

<p>Amide (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Identify the functional group present in the following compound. (Assume the compound contains a ketone)

<p>Ketone (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of Koshland's 'Pillars of Life' refers to an organism's capacity to alter its program in response to environmental changes?

<p>Improvisation (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Maintaining a physical state far from equilibrium is a characteristic of living systems described as:

<p>Regeneration (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which 'pillar of life' ensures that metabolic pathways in a cell operate independently, preventing interference?

<p>Seclusion (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Digestive enzyme ribonuclease in bovine and humans are examples of:

<p>Orthologs (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Considering the breadth of study, which field focuses on the location, expression, and function of individual genes or small gene groups?

<p>Genetics (E)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following 'omics' approaches focuses primarily on the complete set of proteins and their functions within a cell or organism?

<p>Proteomics (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A researcher is investigating how different proteins within a cell interact with each other. Which 'omics' field is MOST relevant to this research?

<p>Interactomics (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A scientist aims to analyze the complete set of mRNA transcripts in a cell to understand gene expression patterns. Which approach should they use?

<p>Transcriptomics (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

An experiment is designed that measures the rates of metabolic reactions within a cell. This study falls under which of the following categories?

<p>Fluxomics (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which cellular component is primarily responsible for regulating the movement of substances into and out of the cell?

<p>Cell Membrane (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following organelles is responsible for breaking down and recycling damaged or unnecessary cellular components?

<p>Lysosome (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which biomolecule primarily functions to control chemical reactions within a cell?

<p>Proteins/Enzymes (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the Golgi apparatus within a cell?

<p>Packaging and modifying proteins for secretion or delivery to other organelles (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A researcher is studying the complete set of sugars in a biological sample. Which field of study is this?

<p>Glycomics (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the context of biomolecules, what is the primary role of DNA and RNA?

<p>Storing and transmitting genetic information (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the function of carbohydrates in living organisms?

<p>Providing a readily available energy source (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What key roles do lipids play in biological systems?

<p>Building membranes and long-term energy storage (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Friedrich Wöhler's synthesis of urea in 1828 challenged which prevailing scientific belief?

<p>Vitalism (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of Stanley Miller's 1953 experiment?

<p>It showed how amino acids and other organic molecules could be formed from inorganic compounds under conditions mimicking early Earth. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a direct implication of the 'RNA World' hypothesis?

<p>RNA can act as both a carrier of genetic information and a catalyst. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

If a newly discovered biomolecule is found to be primarily composed of long hydrocarbon chains, which class of biomolecules would it most likely belong to?

<p>Lipids (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Biochemistry

The study of the chemical substances and vital processes occurring in living organisms.

The Cell

The fundamental structural and functional unit of all known living organisms.

Molecules

Substances made from two or more different elements that are chemically bonded.

Elements

A pure chemical substance consisting of one type of atom distinguished by its atomic number.

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Organic Chemistry

Study of carbon-containing compounds and their reactions.

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Genome

The complete set of genetic information in an organism.

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Proteomics

Study of the complete set of proteins.

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Transcriptomics

Study of all RNA transcripts (mRNA).

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Metabolomics

Study of the complete set of metabolites.

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Interactomics

Study of protein-protein interactions.

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Lipidomics

Study of the complete set of lipids.

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Glycomics

Study of the complete set of carbohydrates.

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Fluxomics

Rate of metabolic reactions.

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Major Classes of Biomolecules

A class of molecules including proteins/enzymes, DNA/RNA, carbohydrates, and lipids, essential for life processes.

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Proteins/Enzymes Role

Biomolecules that control chemical reactions and serve as building blocks of the cell.

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DNA/RNA Function

Biomolecules that store genetic information, providing instructions to make proteins.

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Carbohydrates Role

Biomolecules that serve as an energy source and store energy.

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Lipids Function

Biomolecules that build membranes and store energy.

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Vitalism Theory

The now-disproven theory that substances in living organisms are different from nonliving matter, not obeying physics and chemistry laws.

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Wöhler's Urea Synthesis

Friedrich Wöhler's 1828 synthesis of urea from ammonium cyanate, disproving vitalism.

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Organic Functional Groups

Chemical moieties attached to carbon skeletons that impart specific chemical properties to molecules.

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Ester

A functional group containing a carbon atom double-bonded to an oxygen atom and single-bonded to an -OR group (R is an alkyl or aryl group).

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Amine

A functional group containing a nitrogen atom bonded to one, two, or three alkyl or aryl groups.

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Ether

A functional group consisting of an oxygen atom bonded to two alkyl or aryl groups (R-O-R').

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Carboxylic Acid

A functional group containing a carbon atom double-bonded to an oxygen atom and single-bonded to a hydroxyl group (-COOH).

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Amide

A functional group containing a nitrogen atom bonded to a carbonyl carbon atom.

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Program (Pillar of Life)

An organized plan for an organism's constitution and reproduction.

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Improvisation (Pillar of Life)

Capacity to change the genetic program to promote survival as surroundings change.

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Study Notes

  • Chapter 1 is an overview and comments on Biochemistry and the language of chemistry
  • Chapters 1, 2, and 3 are review chapters that will be combined for quizzes and worksheets

Elements and Molecules of Living Systems

  • The human body is composed of 65% Oxygen, 18% Carbon, 9.5% Hydrogen, 3.2% Nitrogen etc.
  • Stanley Miller conducted an experiment in 1953 recreating early earth atmospheric conditions
  • Miller's experiment used electrodes and gases to create amino acids

Functional Groups

  • Biomolecules commonly contain functional groups
  • Functional groups include Aldehydes, Amides, Aminos, Carbonyls, Carboxylic acids etc.
  • The main classes of biomolecules are proteins/enzymes, DNA/RNA, carbohydrates, and lipids

Macromolecules

  • Macromolecules form by polymerization
  • Monomer subunits form covalent bonds to make up a polymer
  • Proteins consist of amino acids
  • Lipids consist of glycerol and fatty acids
  • Carbohydrates consist of monosaccharides
  • Nucleic acids consist of nucleobases and nucleotides
  • Natural biopolymers include cellulose, dextran, starch, pullulan, chitosan, hyaluronic acid, alginate, heparin and xathan gum
  • Fatty acyls are composed of methylene groups and fatty acids
  • Sterol lipids contain a steroid nucleus
  • Glycerolipids contain glycerol molecules and fatty acids
  • Prenol lipids contains C5 units
  • Saccharolipids have sugars as a backbone
  • Glycerophospholipids contain glycerol, fatty acids and phosphate groups
  • Sphingolipids contain sphingosine backbones

Vitalism

  • In the 19th century, Friedrich Wohler shocked the science world
  • Wohler created urea from ammonium cyanate in a lab
  • Urea was previously believed to only be synthesizable via biological organisms

Distinguishing Characteristics of Living Systems

  • 7 Distinctive "Pillars of Life” are as follows
  • Program: Organized plan for constitution and reproduction
  • Improvisation: Capacity for change in program to promote survival as the environment changes
  • Compartmentalization: Ability of organism to separate itself from environment to control conditions
  • Energy: Order through chaos requiring energy and metabolism
  • Regeneration: Maintaining physical state far from equilibrium
  • Adaptability: Response to environmental change
  • Seclusion: Metabolism and other pathways work independently even in the same compartment of the cell

Miscellaneous Definitions

  • Homologs have a common ancestor
  • Paralogs have the same organisms but different biochemical functions
  • Orthologs have different species with similiar function
  • Prokaryotes are cells with a nucleoid, Pili, capsule, cell wall, cytoplasm, plasma membrane, and ribosomes
  • Eukaryotes possess a smooth ER, mitochondria, centriole, golgi apparatus, nucleolus, and nucleus

Bioinformatics and Omics Study

  • Bioinformatics uses information science applied to biology
  • Mathematical analysis is applied to DNA sequence data
  • Bioinformatics can be used in computer simulation
  • Genomic studies totality of genetic information
  • Genetic study refers to the individual genes and traits
  • Omics studies include Proteomics (proteins), Transcriptomics (mRNA), Metabolomics (metabolites), Interactomics (protein interactions), Lipidomics (lipids), Glycomics (carbohydrates), and Fluxomics (metabolic rates)
  • "In-silico" refers to performing work on a computer with virtual simulation
  • "In-vitro" means in glass, and can represent study of cells in a test tube
  • "In-vivo" means in life, and represents the study of the process of life, of cells in a living organism
  • Amphipathic: Having both hydrophilic and hydrophobic parts

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Related Documents

CHEM 474 Chapter 1: Biochemistry Concepts PDF

Description

Overview of biochemistry, focusing on the chemical elements and molecules in living systems, functional groups, and the formation of macromolecules through polymerization. Key topics include the composition of the human body, the Miller experiment, and the main classes of biomolecules.

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