Biology simplified

  CELL TRANSPORT   Cell Membrane  The cell membrane is a thin sheet of tissue which covers the insides of a cell and protects it from outside elements. The CM is selectively permeable,  meaning that it does not let all materials pass through it! Small, uncharged molecules can pass easily whereas big, charged molecules have a tougher time passing through the membrane Cell membrane Structure The cell membrane is made up of phospholipids that are connected by their hydrophobic (dislike water)  tails (tails are what cause the cell membrane to be selectively permeable).  Passive Transport --> To maintain homeostasis (normal living conditions), usually the number of molecules inside and outside the cell need to balanced. The movement of molecules from a high concentrated area (outside or inside) to a lower concentrated area is known as Passive Transport.  Passive Transport can happen in two ways:  Simple diffusion  --> Molecules move f...

 Enzymes --> Enzymes are types of proteins that help in speeding chemical reactions How they work: Substrates are molecules that fit or lock onto an enzyme and the place where they lock on to is called an activation site . Once the enzyme has a hold onto the substrate it catalyzes or speeds up the chemical reactions that are taking place in the substrate and allows for faster reaction speed. After the reaction has been completed, the enzyme will release the substrate Organic vs Inorganic compounds: Organic compounds contain Carbon and Hydrogen whereas Inorganic compounds do not (Yup! That's the only major difference you will need to remember!) Dehydration Reaction vs Hydrolysis Reaction: A Dehydration reaction is a reaction which takes out water and builds a polymer whereas a hydrolysis reaction adds water to break a polymer   Ex: 2 R-OH --> R-O-R + H2O : Dehydration Reaction (Useful trick: For a dehydration reaction Water (H2O) will always be on the right side or ...

 Biomolecules  What is a BioMolecule?      - A bio molecule is any type of molecule that is produced by a living being      - Ex: Carbohydrates come from plants 4 main types of Biomolecules : Carbohydrates, Proteins, Lipids, and Nucleic Acids  Monomer vs Polymer:  Monomers is a generic name given to building blocks for biomolecules (Think of them as a single Lego block) Polymers are made by connections of monomers (Think of it like building a lego chain)  Carbohydrates : Carbohydrates are types of sugars Made up of Carbon, Hydrogen, and Oxygen in a 1:2:1 ratio respectively  Monosaccharides: A single building block (monomer) for Carbohydrates/Sugar Ex: Glucose and Fructose Disaccharides: Sugar made from two monosaccharides  Ex: Lactose, Sucrose  Polysaccharides: Chain of 3 or more monosaccharides Ex: Cellulose, Starch  Lipids Don't have a conventional monomer unit like Carbohydrates Made of Carbon, Hydrogen, and O...