10 Questions
What is the approximate time frame when the first organelles emerged?
2.5 billion years ago
What is the name of the reaction that converted ammonium chloride and silver cyanate into urea?
Wohler reaction
What is the term for RNA molecules that can act as enzymes?
Ribozymes
What is the relationship between biology and other natural sciences?
Biology is a convergence of information and tools from other natural sciences
What is the theme of astonishing variety in biology referring to?
The diversity of individual details
What is the process by which all life on Earth has developed and diversified?
Evolution
What is the term for the molecules that probably preceded RNAs?
PNAs
What is the name of the author who wrote about the molecular biology of the cell?
Alberts B.
What is the significance of basic research in biology?
It is critical for advancing our understanding of biological systems
What is the common origin of all life on Earth?
A common ancestor
Study Notes
The Central Dogma: Flow of Genetic Material
- Nothing in biology makes sense except in the light of evolution
- The biodiversity of life represents the many different ways in which the common elements of the organization of life have been combined to create new and winning ways to survive and reproduce
Hierarchy of Classification System
- Species (e.g., sapiens)
- Genera (e.g., Homo)
- Families (e.g., Hominidae)
- Orders (e.g., Primates)
- Classes (e.g., mammalia)
- Phyla or Divisions (e.g., chordata)
- Kingdoms (e.g., Animalia)
Tree of Life
- The Three Domains of Life
Molecular Taxonomy and Systematics
- Molecular systematics is based on the analysis of DNA or protein sequences
- Similarity between protein sequences of different organisms indicates homology and probable similar functions (e.g., evolution of hemoglobin)
Bioinformatics
- The power of comparative analysis and identification of homologous proteins has been greatly expanded in the last 5 years due to in silico analysis of amino acid sequences
- 3 large databases of nucleotic sequences in the world: EMBL, DDBJ, and GenBank, and UniProt as SEQ databases
Life, Chemistry, and Water
- Matter is made up of combinations of elements
Origin of Life and Cell Theory
- The origin of life and cell theory: the discovery and advances of microscopy, the prebiotic world (RNA world), and the theory of evolution by natural selection
- The chemistry of the cell: main chemical elements, water and its properties, main functional chemical groups with biological meaning, biomolecules (carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids), and viruses, viroids, and prions
Cells and Organelles
- Prokaryotic cells (Bacteria and Archaea): plasma membrane, cell wall, nucleoid
- Eukaryotic cells: concept of compartmentalization, plasma membrane, nucleus, nucleolus, nucleoplasm, endoplasmic reticulum, ribosomes, mitochondria (endosymbiotic theory), Golgi complex, lysosomes, peroxisomes, cytoskeleton (microfilaments, microtubules, intermediate filaments)
Hints of Bioenergetics and Enzymes
- Chromatin and chromosomes
- Cell membrane: structure, function, and chemistry
- Transport across membranes: simple diffusion, osmosis, facilitated diffusion, primary and secondary active transport
Explore the concept of evolution, biodiversity, and the central dogma of the flow of genetic material in cells. Understand how evolution has led to the enormous biological diversity on Earth.
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