Metabolism

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  • Created by: Lotto65
  • Created on: 08-10-16 15:53
What is the theory of vitalism?
Living organisms were composed of organic chemicals that could only be produced in living organisms because a 'vital force' was needed
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What did people used to think was the reason why there were huge differences between living and non-living things?
They were made of different materials
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How was the theory of vitalism falsified?
A series of discoveries including the method of synthesising urea artificially
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What is the better answer explaining why living organisms are different from non-living organisms?
Natural selection
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True/ false: Living organisms are governed by the same physical and chemical forces as non-living matter
True
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Is urea an organic or inorganic compound?
Organic
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What does the theory of vitalism suggest about the production of urea?
Urea could only be made in living organisms because it is an organic substance so a 'vital force' was needed
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How was urea synthesised artificially?
Using silver isocyanate and ammonium chloride
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Why did the artificial synthesis of urea not disprove the theory of vitalism completely?
Several pieces of evidence are required before a theory is abandoned as false - e.g. it is impossible to make complex proteins like haemoglobin without using substances in cells like ribosomes
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What is an atom?
A single particle of an element
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What are atoms described as having?
A positively charged nucleus surrounded by a cloud of negatively charged electrons
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What is a molecule?
A group of two or more atoms held together by covalent bonds
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What is a compound?
A substance made of two or more elements bonded together
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Are molecules compounds?
Yes
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How many covalent bonds can nitrogen form?
3
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Why are molecules stable?
The covalent bonds are relatively strong
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What is the name of the bonds between molecules?
Intermolecular forces
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Are intermolecular forces strong or weak bonds?
Weak
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Name the four main types of molecules used by living organisms
Carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids
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What is metabolism?
The chemical processes occurring in an organism or cell
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What sort of reactions does metabolism focus on?
Enzyme-catalysed reactions
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What is a metabolic pathway?
A sequence of biochemical reactions
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Name two types of metabolic pathway
Chain reaction, cycle of reactions
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What is anabolism?
The synthesis of complex molecules from simpler molecules
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What are macromolecules?
Very large molecules
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What are macromolecules made of?
Monomers
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What are monomers?
Small sub-units that make up macromolecules
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Give a rule of anabolic reactions
They are condensation reactions as water is always produced
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What is catabolism?
The breakdown of complex molecules into simpler molecules
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Give an example of a catabolic reaction and why?
Hydrolysis where water is used to breakdown macromolecules
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What is vitalism?
A theory that living organisms require a 'vital' element and was not just due to the materials of which the organisms were made. Something that made a living organism a living organism. 'Spark of life'
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Card 2

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What did people used to think was the reason why there were huge differences between living and non-living things?

Back

They were made of different materials

Card 3

Front

How was the theory of vitalism falsified?

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

What is the better answer explaining why living organisms are different from non-living organisms?

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

True/ false: Living organisms are governed by the same physical and chemical forces as non-living matter

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