Microb test 3 pt.1

Front

What is the role of sulfur in biological systems?

Back

Sulfur is needed to synthesize proteins (specifically cysteine and methionine) and is also involved in vitamin synthesis.

Front

What are oxygen radicals and how do they affect cells?

Back

Oxygen radicals are reactive molecules that damage cells by attacking and oxidizing important cellular components like proteins, lipids, and DNA, leading to structural changes that disrupt normal function and can cause cell death.

Front

What happens to a cell in a hypertonic solution?

Back

In a hypertonic solution, water diffuses out of the cell, causing the cell to shrink and the cell membrane to pull away from the cell wall, a process known as plasmolysis.

Front

What is the function of the peroxidase enzyme?

Back

Peroxidase catalyzes the breakdown of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) into water and oxygen, helping to detoxify harmful peroxides in the cell.

Front

What are macronutrients and why are they important?

Back

Macronutrients are nutrients needed in large quantities for growth and metabolism, including carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus, and sulfur (CHNOPS).

Front

Define plasmolysis in the context of cell biology.

Back

Plasmolysis is the process where a plant cell loses water in a hypertonic environment, causing the cell membrane to shrink away from the cell wall.

Front

What is the significance of cysteine and methionine in protein synthesis?

Back

Cysteine and methionine are sulfur-containing amino acids that play crucial roles in protein synthesis and function.

Front

How do reactive oxygen species (ROS) contribute to cellular damage?

Back

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) can oxidize cellular components, leading to damage in proteins, lipids, and DNA, which can disrupt cellular functions and lead to cell death.

Front

What is the chemical equation for the breakdown of hydrogen peroxide by peroxidase?

Back

The chemical reaction is: H2O2 + 2H^2 → 2H2O + O2.

Front

List the elements represented by the acronym CHNOPS.

Back

C - Carbon, H - Hydrogen, N - Nitrogen, O - Oxygen, P - Phosphorus, S - Sulfur.