Download Topic 3 The chemistry of life

Topic 2 Molecular Biology Review
**Review all the “understanding” statements at the beginning of each section.
Key facts
2.1
1. The most commonly occurring elements in organisms are carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen.
2. Sulfur is a component of several amino acids.
3. Phosphorus is essential to ATP and nucleic acids.
4. Compounds containing carbon that are found in living organisms (except hydrogen carbonates, carbonates,
and oxides of carbon) are regarded as organic. Therefore, carbon dioxide is not considered an organic
compound.
5. Amino acids contain the following groups: amino group (NH2), carboxyl group (COOH), and an R group
(variable).
6. Glucose is a six carbon ring structure. One carbon is outside the ring.
7. Ribose is a five carbon ring structure. One carbon is outside the ring.
8. Fatty acids contain a carboxyl group and are not a ring structure.
increase of a plant.
1) Distinguish between metabolism, anabolism and catabolism.
2) Explain why Carbon atoms are the backbone of most living things
3) What are the four major macromolecules? What three elements do they all have in common?
4) What is “vitalism”? How did the synthesis of urea contribute to the falsification of vitalism?
5) Practice drawing the following: a ribose and glucose molecule as well as an amino acid and
glycerol.
6) Be able to recognize a ribose and glucose molecule, an amino acid, glycerol and a saturated fatty
acid
7) Which macromolecule(s) contain(s) C, H and O? Which contain C, H, O, N and sometimes S?
8) Identify the four most common occurring chemical elements in organisms.
9) Identify whether the following compounds are organic or inorganic:
a. CO2 _________________
b. CH4 __________________________
c. H2O _________________
d. C6H12O6 ________________________