Biochemistry Overview and Principles
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Questions and Answers

What are the main areas of biochemistry?

  • Structure and function of biological macromolecules, metabolism and genetics (correct)
  • Nutrition, metabolism and genetics
  • Structure and function of biological macromolecules, nutrition and metabolism
  • Structure and function of biological macromolecules, metabolism and genetics, nutrition, and environmental applications

    • What is the primary role of biochemistry in the field of medicine?

  • Developing new vaccines
  • Analyzing blood samples for various components like glucose and cholesterol
  • Understanding the mechanism of drug action
  • All of the above (correct)

    • Which of the following is NOT a principle defining a living organism?

  • Cells have the capacity for precise self-replication and self-assembly
  • Living organisms exist in a dynamic steady state
  • Cells are the fundamental unit of life
  • Living organisms are always in equilibrium with their surroundings (correct)

    • How do cells use a relatively small set of carbon-based metabolites?

    <p>To create polymeric machines, supramolecular structures and information repositories. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary role of metabolism in living organisms?

    <p>All of the above (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a living organism?

    <p>Ability to move independently (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does biochemistry contribute to environmental applications?

    <p>All of the above (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the role of molecular genetics in biochemistry?

    <p>All of the above (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following elements are considered 'primary bioelements'?

    <p>Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of 'secondary bioelements' in the body?

    <p>Playing essential roles in cell physiology (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a covalent bond?

    <p>Always involves the transfer of electrons (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of chemical bond is responsible for the association of atoms into molecules?

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

    Which of the following statements is TRUE about 'oligoelements'?

    <p>Their excess or deficiency can cause health problems (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary difference between atoms and molecules?

    <p>Atoms are the fundamental building blocks of matter, while molecules are combinations of atoms (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following accurately describes the concept of 'electronegativity'?

    <p>The tendency of an atom to attract electrons towards itself (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why are covalent bonds considered strong bonds?

    <p>They involve the sharing of electrons between atoms (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the role of 'bioelements' in living organisms?

    <p>They are the basic building blocks of all living things (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following levels of organization is characterized by the interaction of different populations within a specific environment?

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

    Flashcards

    Biochemistry

    The molecular study of the structures, mechanisms, and processes of living organisms.

    Metabolism

    The sum of all chemical reactions that occur in an organism, involving energy transformation.

    Cell

    The fundamental unit of life that performs all essential biological processes.

    Self-replication

    The ability of living organisms to make copies of themselves using genetic information.

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    Energy transformation

    The process by which organisms extract, use, and convert energy from their environment.

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    Dynamic steady state

    A condition in living organisms where internal processes remain balanced yet never reach equilibrium.

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    Evolution

    The gradual change in living organisms over generations through adaptation.

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    Biomacromolecules

    Large molecules essential for life, such as proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, and lipids.

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    Bioelements

    Chemical elements essential for life found in organisms.

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    Primary Bioelements

    Elements that make up over 99% of most cells' mass.

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    Covalent Bond

    A strong bond formed by sharing electrons between atoms.

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    Molecule

    A group of atoms bonded together; the smallest unit of a compound.

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    Levels of Organization

    Hierarchy in biology from atomic to biosphere level.

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    Electronegativity

    The ability of an atom to attract electrons towards itself.

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    Ionic Bond

    Bond formed when electrons are transferred between atoms.

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    Secondary Bioelements

    Elements that account for about 1% of cell mass, essential for physiology.

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    Oligoelements

    Trace elements essential for the function of specific proteins.

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    Molecular Level

    The level of organization dealing with molecules formed by atoms.

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    Study Notes

    Biochemistry Introduction

    • Biochemistry is a molecular description of the structures, mechanisms, and chemical processes of living things.
    • It describes the shared structures, mechanisms, and chemical processes in all organisms, providing principles underlying life in diverse forms.
    • Biochemists use physical and chemical principles to explain biology at the molecular level.

    Impact of Biochemistry

    • Medicine: Blood tests (e.g., glucose, cholesterol) and drug development rely on biochemistry.
    • Agriculture: Biochemistry explains how fertilizers and pesticides affect crops at the cellular level.
    • Industrial applications: Biochemistry impacts food technology and biotechnology
    • Environmental applications: Biochemistry helps study how pollutants behave in the body.

    Principle Areas of Biochemistry

    • Structure and function of biological macromolecules: Organisms maintain internal environments over decades by consuming food, water, and absorbing oxygen.
    • Metabolism: Anabolic and catabolic processes provide energy for organism functions and waste removal.
    • Molecular Genetics: Describes how life replicates and how protein synthesis is regulated.

    Features Defining a Living Organism

    • Cells: Fundamental units, create polymeric machines and structures.
    • Dynamic steady state: Organisms exist in a dynamic state, not equilibrium, with their environment.
    • Self-replication and self-assembly: Cells use genetic information from the genome to replicate and assemble.
    • Gradual evolution: Living organisms change over time through gradual evolution.
    • Highly organized: Living things have complex organization at various levels, from atoms to cells and beyond.
    • Energy extraction: Organisms take in energy from the environment to function.

    Atomic Level

    • Bioelements: Atoms in the periodic table that are essential to organisms.
    • Primary Bioelements: C (Carbon), H (Hydrogen), O (Oxygen), N (Nitrogen) - make up over 99% of the mass of cells.
    • Secondary Bioelements: P (Phosphorus), S (Sulfur), Na (Sodium), K (Potassium), Mg (Magnesium), Ca (Calcium), and Cl (Chlorine) – make up about 1% of the mass of cells.
    • Oligioelements: Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, Zn, I, F, Mo, Si, B and others –essential to life and specific protein functions, but only in small amounts.
    • Electronegativity: Tendency of an atom to attract electrons. Higher electronegativity values increase the likelihood of bonding of an atom.
    • Atoms: Protons (positive charge), neutrons (no charge), electrons (negative charge).
    • Chemical bonds: Metallic, ionic, covalent (polar and non-polar) - how atoms interact and form molecules.

    Molecular Level

    • Molecules: Groups of atoms bonded together, representing the smallest units of chemical compounds.
    • Chemical bonding: Interactions forming molecules.
    • Types of Chemical Bonds: Metallic, ionic, covalent
    • Polar Covalent Bond: Unequal sharing of electrons between atoms forming the bond, creating partial positive and partial negative charges on atoms, resulting in polarity.
    • Inorganic Biomolecules: Water forms 70% of body weight, Salts are dissolved/solid phase in tissues and essential for osmotic equilibrium; Gases participate in breathing and photosynthesis and are involved in physiological processes.
    • Organic Biomolecules: Consist of carbon compounds and only present in living organisms.
    • Macromolecules: Large molecules made up of monomers (smaller units).
    • Anabolism and Catabolism: The parts of metabolism which are the building-up and breaking-down of molecules.
    • Metabolome: All small molecules present in a cell under specific conditions.

    Levels of Organization of Living Things (summary)

    • Atomic -> Molecular -> Cells -> Tissues -> Organs -> Organism -> Population -> Ecosystem -> Biosphere.

    Steady State

    • Steady state: A state of dynamic equilibrium in which matter flows and the overall concentration of components remains constant.
    • The rates of synthesis and breakdown of molecules must balance.
    • It requires a constant input of energy to maintain this dynamic equilibrium since the system is not at equilibrium.

    Homeostasis

    • Maintaining a steady state through regulatory mechanisms to compensate for external changes.
    • Failure of homeostasis can lead to diseases.

    Metabolism

    • Metabolism is the set of enzyme-catalyzed transformations of organic molecules in living cells.
    • It includes pathways for anabolism and catabolism (the sum of building-up and breaking-down of molecules).

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    Biochemistry Introduction PDF

    Description

    This quiz covers key concepts in biochemistry including the role of biochemistry in medicine, the importance of metabolism, and the characteristics of living organisms. It also touches on chemical bonding and the significance of various bioelements in biological systems.

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