1. What are the main organelles in cells and their basic functions?

Cell membrane :defines the periphery of the cell, separating its

contents from the surroundings. The membrane is a barrier to the free
passage of inorganic ions and most other charged or polar compounds.
Nucleus: contains the genes (chromatin)
Site of most DNA synthesis and repair.
RNA synthesis
Nucleoid: Contains single, simple long-circular DNA molecule.
Ribosomes: Protein synthesis from an RNA message.
Golgi Complex: processes, packages and targets proteins to other
organelles or for export. Also involved in formation (biogenesis) of
lysosomes, secretory vesicles (hormones, blood plasma proteins,
digestive enzymes).
Mitochondria: oxidizes fuel to produce ATP : Powerhouse of cell,
perform cellular respiration, Urea and heme synthesis, contain own
genome, circular mtDNA.
Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER):
2. Know the structural hierarchy in the molecular organization of cells.
(Lipids, proteins, carbohydrates, and nucleic acids)

3. Know the common functional groups of biomolecules. What is

stereoisomers, chiral center? What are the naming systems for
geometric isomers? (cis/trans, R-/S-, D-/L-, systems)

3 D structures: Stereochemistry
Stereoisomer- molecules with the same chemical bonds but differing
spatial arrangement.
Cis/trans isomerism (Geometric isomerism) is a form of stereoisomerism
describing the relative orientation of functional groups within a molecule.
Chirality:
1 Chiral Carbon = 2 Stereoisomers
(n)Chiral Carbons = 2n stereoisomers

Naming Conventions:
By Configuration R- and SBy optical activity: (+)- and (-)By configuration: D- and L- 9 (configurational standard Glyceraldehyde)
Enantiomers: stereoisomers that are mirror image
Diastereomers: Pairs of Stereoisomers that are not mirror imagesof each
other.
Know free energy(G), entropy (S) and enthalpy (H), and their
relationship:
dG= dH-TdS. What is the difference between endergonic and exergonic,
endothermic and exothermic? How to calculate equilibrium constant of a
chemical reaction? The equation of K and dG?
Basic Thermodynamics:
Free energy G:
The component of the total energy of a system that can do work at
constant temperature and pressure.
G=H-TS
Entropy S:
The randomness or disorder of the components of a chemical system.
Enthalpy H
G= H-TS
Endergonic vs Exergonic:
Endergonic reactions require an input of energy, and their G values are
positive.
Exergonic;
Endothermic vs Exothermic:
G= H-TS
How to calculate the equilibrium constant:
Keq = [C]ceq Ddeq
K and G
What is ATP, ADP, and AMP
ATP: adenosine triphosphate
ADP: adenosine diphosphate
AMP: adenosine monophosphate

Know the concepts:

Metabolism: The entire set of enzyme-catalyzed transformations of
organic molecules in living cells; the sum of anabolism and catabolism.
Catabolism: The phase of intermediary metabolism concerned with the
energy yielding degradation of nutrient molecules.
Anabollism: The phase of intermediary metabolism concerned with the
energy-requiring biosynthesis of cell components from smaller
precursors.
What is central dogma from DNA to protein?

Chapter 2: WATER
Part I:
What properties make water the best solvent for life? What is the
geometric and molecular structure for water? What is the electric dipole
for water? What is hydrogen bonding? What are requirements? Why is
carbon not able to do hydrogen bonding?
Know the interaction among water molecules due to electric dipole.
(What is longer? Why is weaker in comparison to the other?) What
makes hydrogen bonds weak or strong (generally)?
Know the non-covalent weak interactions/bonding (there are 4). Review
over colligative properties; the ones mentioned in class are boiling point,
melting point, and osmotic pressure. For osmotic pressure, understand
the 3 subtypes (hyper-, isotonic, and hypo-).
Fact: Multiple hydrogen bonds are added as a whole that increases the
amount of energy to break the bond.

Between butane, and butanol, butanol has a much higher boling point.
Explai why this occurs.
Know how many hydrogen bonds are possible for one water molecule in
ice and liquid.
Fact: The two most common functional groups involve in ionic
interactions are carboxylic group, and amino group.
Ina solid form of NaCl it is readily soluble in water because of what?
(hint: Entropy as a solid vs entropy in aqueous solution)
Fact: polarity determines solibility
Make sure to understand very well the entropy concept!

Hydrophobic interactions(involving non-polar molecules):

thermodynamics- low solubility is explained through entropy; water near
hydrophobic solute is highly ordered (-dS)
Part II:
What is a buffer solution? What does it consist of?
review pH, pOH, Ka, and how to calculate them. Make sure to understand
the Hopping effect of H+.
Quiz Questions
Q1: How many hydrogen bonds a CH3-O-CH3 molecule can make with
itself? What about with water?
Q2. Atoms in the molecule, if held together by what bonds create the
strongest chemical linkages?
Q3: Why maintenance of pH is important in biological systems?
Q4: Which of the following will be most/ least soluble in water?
Q5: How many hydrogen bonds can one ammonia molecule for with
water moleculs?
Draw formations)
chapter 3: Amino acids
Part I