Outline - Molecules to Metabolism

2.1.U1 Molecular biology explains living processes in terms of the chemical substances involved.

Define “molecular biology.”
Compare the benefits of a reductionist vs. systems approach to studying biology.
Recognize common functional groups.
Draw skeletal molecular structures from full structure diagrams.

2.1.U2 Carbon atoms can form four covalent bonds allowing a diversity of stable compounds to exist.

Outline the number and type of bond carbon can form with other atoms.

2.1.U3 Life is based on carbon compounds including carbohydrates, lipids proteins and nucleic acids.

List the four major classes of carbon compounds used by living organisms.

2.1.U4 Metabolism is the web of all the enzyme-catalyzed reactions in a cell or organism.

Define metabolism and catalysis.
State the role of enzymes in metabolism.

2.1.U5 Anabolism is the synthesis of complex molecules from simpler molecules including the formation of macromolecules from monomers by condensation reactions.

Define anabolism, monomer and polymer.
Describe condensation (dehydration synthesis) reactions.
Using simple shapes to represent monomers, diagram a condensation reaction.

2.1.U6 Catabolism is the breakdown of complex molecules into simpler molecules including the hydrolysis of macromolecules into monomers.

Define catabolism.
Contrast anabolism and catabolism.
Describe hydrolysis reactions.
Using simple shapes to represent monomers, diagram a hydrolysis reaction.

2.1.A1 Urea as an example of a compound that is produced by living organisms but can also be artificially synthesized.

Draw the molecular structure of urea.
Describe how urea can be synthesized by living and artificial mechanisms.

2.1.S1 Drawing molecular diagrams of glucose, ribose, a saturated fatty acid and a generalized amino acid.
*for carbohydrates
* for lipids

Draw the molecular diagram of ribose.
Draw the molecular diagram of alpha-glucose.
Draw the molecular diagram of a saturated fatty acid.
Identify the carboxyl and methyl groups on a fatty acid.
Draw the generalized structure of an amino acid.
Label the amine group, carboxyl group, alpha carbon and R group on an amino acid.

2.1.S2 Identification of biochemical such as sugars, lipids, or amino acids from molecular drawings.
*for carbs
*for lipids

Identify the four major classes of carbon compounds used by living organisms from given diagrams (examples will include D-ribose, alpha glucose, beta glucose, trigylcerides, phospholipids and steroids).
State the generalized chemical formula of the carbohydrates.
Identify the following carbohydrates from molecular drawings: D-ribose, alpha glucose, beta glucose, cellulose, glycogen, amylose starch and amylopectin starch.
Compare the relative amount of oxygen atoms in lipids to the amount in carbohydrates.
Identify the following lipids from molecular drawings: triglycerides, phospholipids and steroids.

2.1.NOS Falsification of theories- the artificial synthesis of urea helped to falsify vitalism.

Define vitalism.
Explain the role of urea in the falsification of vitalism.