Introduction to molecular biology of the cell
Haixu TangSchool of Informatics
All living things are made of cells
The Universal Features of Cells on Earth
➢ Store Their Hereditary Information in the Same Linear Chemical Code (DNA)
➢ Replicate Their Hereditary Information by Templated Polymerization➢ Transcribe Portions of Their Hereditary Information into the Same
Intermediary Form (RNA)➢ Use Proteins as Catalysts➢ Translate RNA into Protein in the Same Way
One Protein Is One GeneA Living Cell Can Exist with Fewer Than 500 Genes
➢ Life Requires Free Energy➢ All Cells Function as Biochemical Factories Dealing with the Same Basic
Molecular Building Blocks➢ All Cells Are Enclosed in a Plasma Membrane Across Which Nutrients and
Waste Materials Must Pass
Hereditary Information is stored in the Same Linear Chemical Code (DNA)
Templated Polymerization
Proteins as Catalysts
One gene, one protein
Mycoplasma genitalium: 477 genes
Hereditary Information into the Same Intermediary Form (RNA)
Translate RNA into Protein
Cells Can Be Powered by a Variety of Free Energy Sources
➢ Organotrophic: feeding on other living things or the organic chemicals they produce
➢ Phototrophic: harvest the energy of sunlight
➢ lithotrophic: capture their energy from energy-rich systems of inorganic chemicals in the environment
Formation of a membrane by amphipathic phospholipid molecules
Diversity of living cells
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