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Define metabolism and its significance in living organisms.
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Metabolism is the sum of enzyme reactions in the body, essential for creating materials for cellular functions and breaking down materials for energy.
What is anabolism and its typical reaction process?
Anabolism is the process of building larger, complex molecules from smaller ones, often through condensation reactions where monomers bond to form polymers, releasing water as a byproduct.
Explain the composition of lipids and their primary functions.
Lipids are composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen with no specific ratio. Their primary functions are long-term energy storage and forming cell boundaries.
Identify the four essential macromolecules and one key function of each.
Carbohydrates (short-term energy storage), Lipids (long-term energy storage), Proteins (regulate cellular processes), Nucleic Acids (carry genetic information).
What are the main functions of carbohydrates in living organisms?
Carbohydrates function in short-term energy storage and as structural components in plants.
What are nucleotides and their significance in nucleic acids?
Nucleotides are the building blocks of nucleic acids, which carry genetic information or energy within cells.
What is the definition of molecular biology?
The study of living processes in terms of the chemical substances involved.
What are enzymes and their role in metabolic reactions?
Enzymes are specialized proteins that speed up metabolic reactions, facilitating the efficient processing of cellular functions.
Explain catabolism and its associated reaction type.
Catabolism is the breakdown of larger molecules into monomers, typically through hydrolysis, where water is used to break bonds.
Differentiate between organic and inorganic compounds in biological systems.
Organic compounds contain carbon and usually hydrogen and are used in biological systems, while inorganic compounds typically do not contain carbon.
What are amino acids and what is their general structure?
Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, typically having an N-C-C structure.
Why is carbon considered essential in molecular biology?
Carbon has four outer valence electrons allowing it to form up to four covalent bonds, making it the backbone of all living organisms.
What roles do proteins play in cellular functions?
Proteins regulate cellular processes and build cell structures.
Describe the structure and example of an organic compound.
Organic compounds are built around carbon and generally contain hydrogen. An example is methane (CH4), which consists of one carbon atom and four hydrogen atoms.
How do anabolism and catabolism function together in metabolism?
Anabolism and catabolism are continuous processes that adjust to cellular needs, working together to build and break down materials as required.
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