Biology of You: Cell and Molecular Biology

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary role of an organism's organ systems?

To carry out complex functions that maintain life (correct)

To break down macromolecules into monomers

To generate energy from food

To protect the body from external pathogens

What process is responsible for breaking down food into its monomers?

Catabolism (correct)

Anabolism

Homeostasis

Dehydration synthesis

Which of the following best describes hydration synthesis?

An anabolic process that builds macromolecules from monomers (correct)

A cellular respiration process that produces ATP

A catabolic reaction that releases energy

A nutrient absorption process in the gastrointestinal tract

Which macromolecule is NOT classified among the four main types found in the human body?

Amino acids Signup and view all the answers

In a eukaryotic cell, what distinguishes its plasma membrane's primary function?

Regulating the entry and exit of substances Signup and view all the answers

What is essential for ribosomes to correctly build proteins?

mRNA and amino acids Signup and view all the answers

What happens to a protein that is denatured?

It loses its 3D shape and cannot function Signup and view all the answers

Which type of protein is responsible for speeding up chemical reactions in cells?

Enzymes Signup and view all the answers

Why might antibiotics that inactivate ribosomes be effective against bacterial infections?

They prevent bacteria from building proteins necessary for survival Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the role of glycoproteins?

They serve as recognition molecules for cells Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic of phospholipids contributes to the semipermeable nature of the plasma membrane?

Hydrophobic fatty acid tails and hydrophilic head groups Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary component of cytoplasm by volume?

Water Signup and view all the answers

Which macromolecule in the cytoplasm is essential for providing the cell with structure?

Cytoskeleton proteins Signup and view all the answers

What role do carbohydrates play in cellular metabolism?

They provide energy to the cell Signup and view all the answers

The hydrophilic part of a phospholipid interacts primarily with which of the following?

Water and other polar substances Signup and view all the answers

What is the structure of DNA compared to RNA?

DNA is double-stranded, while RNA is usually single-stranded. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following correctly describes a nucleotide?

A nucleotide consists of a phosphate group, a nitrogenous base, and a sugar. Signup and view all the answers

Which nitrogenous bases are found in DNA?

A, T, C, G Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes the sugar in RNA from the sugar in DNA?

RNA contains ribose sugar, while DNA contains deoxyribose sugar. Signup and view all the answers

What role do genes play in the functionality of DNA?

Genes contain the instructions for protein synthesis. Signup and view all the answers

When a cell requires a specific protein, what process occurs?

An mRNA copy is made from the gene's information. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about RNA is true?

RNA can serve as a temporary copy of the genetic information. Signup and view all the answers

Why do all cells, including animal, plant, and bacterial cells, need DNA and RNA?

DNA and RNA both serve critical functions in storing and transferring genetic information. Signup and view all the answers

Which feature is essential for identifying an omega-6 fatty acid?

Multiple double bonds in its carbon chain Signup and view all the answers

What role does cholesterol play in the human body?

It provides stability to the plasma membrane Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary effect of cortisol on metabolism?

Enhances the breakdown of stored energy Signup and view all the answers

What is a defining characteristic of catabolic reactions?

They break down large molecules into smaller pieces Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes anabolic reactions from catabolic reactions?

Anabolic reactions build larger molecules, while catabolic reactions break them down Signup and view all the answers

Which statement correctly describes dehydration synthesis?

New molecules are formed while releasing water. Signup and view all the answers

In what way does cortisol act in contrast to insulin?

Cortisol stimulates storage, while insulin encourages breakdown. Signup and view all the answers

What process is primarily responsible for producing cholesterol in the body?

Metabolism of saturated fatty acids Signup and view all the answers

Which process is classified as catabolic?

Hydrolysis of starch to glucose Signup and view all the answers

Which term refers to the breaking down of molecules in biological systems?

Lysis Signup and view all the answers

How does excessive cholesterol affect the human body?

It can clog blood vessels Signup and view all the answers

Which of these hormones is an anabolic hormone?

Insulin Signup and view all the answers

What type of fatty acid does the human body require from external sources because it cannot synthesize them?

Omega-6 fatty acids Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of hydrolysis in biochemical reactions?

Detachment of monomers from polymers Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about macromolecules and their building blocks is accurate?

Macromolecules are broken down through hydrolysis into monomers. Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of an anabolic reaction?

It requires energy input. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Lesson 1: The Biology of You

This lesson is about cell and molecular biology (BIOL 1441)
Students will be able to explain how the human body is organized, from smallest cells to largest organism
Learners will identify and list the structures found in all cell types
Students will learn the difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, with examples
The function of a cell's plasma membrane is also introduced
The four main macromolecules in the human body are explained, along with examples
Understanding how macromolecules function in anabolic and catabolic reactions is also covered
Key processes like hydrolysis and dehydration synthesis are detailed
The chemical processes that take place when a person eats are explained
Key structures like organs and tissues form the organ systems, which are responsible for keeping the organism alive
Cells are the fundamental units of life
Cells must be separated from their environment, create energy from food, grow, and reproduce, to be alive
Lipids form a plasma membrane barrier, regulating what enters and exits
Carbohydrates provide easy energy
Proteins carry out complex cellular tasks
Nucleic acids store and pass along genetic information
Cells can be classified as prokaryotic or eukaryotic based on where genetic information is located
Prokaryotic cells have genetic material in a nucleoid region; examples include bacterial cells
Eukaryotic cells have genetic material in a membrane-enclosed nucleus; examples include animal and plant cells
The practice examples show how to differentiate prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells given images
DNA and RNA are fundamental to all cells, carrying genetic information
DNA is double-stranded, while RNA is usually single-stranded
The monomers that build DNA and RNA are nucleotides
Nucleotides have a phosphate group, a sugar, and a nitrogenous base (A, T, G, C, or U), which defines the nucleotide
DNA stores all the genetic information in a cell, while genes hold directions for making proteins
mRNA copies the genetic information from DNA in the process of transcription and translation
Ribosomes, a cell's protein-building machines, exist in all cells
To build proteins, ribosomes need mRNA and amino acids
Proteins are long amino acid chains folding into 3D shapes, crucial for cell function
Proteins must have the correct 3D structure to perform their function
Incorrect temperature or pH, or exposure to toxins can denature proteins
Proteins perform many functions, including providing structure (cytoskeleton), accelerating reactions (enzymes), and acting as identifiers (glycoproteins)
Some antibiotics target bacterial ribosomes to disrupt their function, and inhibit bacteria growth
The plasma membrane is composed of a phospholipid bilayer, protecting the hydrophobic tails from water
The plasma membrane controls the passage of molecules, being semipermeable
Cytoplasm comprises a watery solution within a cell
Cytoplasm includes organelles and dissolved macromolecules like salts and proteins
Cytoskeleton proteins give cells their shape within the cytoplasm. Enzymes speed up chemical reactions, while carbohydrates provide energy to the cell
Carbohydrates are categorized by size
Monosaccharides (e.g., glucose) have one sugar molecule
Disaccharides (e.g., sucrose) have two sugar molecules
Polysaccharides (e.g., starch) have many sugar molecules
Carbohydrates, especially glycogen in animals, and starch in plants, are a quick source of energy
Fats/lipids are used primarily for long-term energy storage in animals; the primary form is triglycerides
Triglycerides have a glycerol head and three fatty acid tails, with energy stored in the chemical bonds of fatty acid tails
Fatty acids can be saturated or unsaturated, impacting their state at room temperature
Cholesterol is a lipid with four carbon rings; obtained through diet or made by the liver
Cholesterol affects the stability of the plasma membrane and is used to make sterol hormones
Catabolic reactions break down larger molecules into smaller ones, releasing energy
Anabolic reactions build larger molecules from smaller ones, using energy
Cortisol is a sterol hormone released by the body during stress, which alters the body's metabolic processes
Cortisol increases glycogen breakdown and decreases protein production.

Stop & Think It Through

Why do all cells (animal, plant, and bacterial) need DNA and RNA?
What effect would antibiotics that inactivate bacterial ribosomes have?
Why is storing energy as glycogen, rather than triglycerides, good for skeletal muscle cells?

Learning Objectives (Study Guide)

1. Explain human body organization

List structures in all cell types
Differentiate between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells
Describe the plasma membrane's function 5 . List four major macromolecules
Identify examples of each macromolecule
Describe the function of each macromolecule
Explain anabolic and catabolic reactions
Explain hydrolysis and dehydration synthesis

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Description

Explore the foundations of cell and molecular biology with this quiz based on lesson 1 of BIOL 1441. You'll learn about the organization of the human body, cell types, macromolecules, and key processes like hydrolysis and dehydration synthesis. Test your understanding of the fundamental concepts that sustain life.