Review the key concepts, formulae, and examples before starting your quiz.
🔑Concepts
Molecular biology explains living processes in terms of the chemical substances involved, focusing on the structures and interactions of molecules.
Carbon atoms can form four covalent bonds, allowing for a vast diversity of stable compounds such as carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.
Metabolism is the totality of an organism's chemical reactions, categorized into anabolism and catabolism.
Anabolism is the synthesis of complex molecules from simpler ones, typically requiring energy (). It involves condensation reactions where a water molecule () is released.
Catabolism is the breakdown of complex molecules into simpler ones, releasing energy. It involves hydrolysis reactions where a water molecule () is consumed to break bonds.
The theory of Vitalism stated that organic molecules could only be synthesized by living systems. This was falsified by Friedrich Wöhler in 1828 when he synthesized urea () from inorganic ammonium cyanate ().
Carbohydrates are composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, usually in a ratio of . Common examples include glucose () and ribose ().
📐Formulae
💡Examples
Problem 1:
Calculate the molecular formula of a disaccharide formed by the condensation of two glucose molecules ().
Solution:
Explanation:
When two glucose molecules () undergo a condensation reaction to form maltose, one molecule of is removed. Therefore, the calculation is .
Problem 2:
Identify whether the following reaction is anabolic or catabolic: .
Solution:
Catabolic (Hydrolysis)
Explanation:
The reaction involves the addition of water () to break down a complex lipid (triglyceride) into its smaller components (glycerol and fatty acids). This process of breaking down macromolecules is defined as catabolism.