Cellular respiration Cellular respiration is a metabolic process that rearranges atoms in molecules of food through multiple steps to ensure that stored food is available to cells. The pathway involves redox reactions that move electrons between molecules and energy transfer. This occurs in the following steps: During respiration in cells, electrons are transferred fro food … Read more
Introduction Photosynthesis is the process by which light energy (from the sun) is transferred into chemical energy that can be utilized by living things. Photosynthesis can be represented by the chemical equation below: 6 CO2 + 6 H2O + light energy → C6H12O6 + 6 O2 Getting what plants need Plants are autotrophs hence they … Read more
Reproduction For organisms to reproduce sexually, each parent donates a cell to produce a new organism. A sperm cell joins an egg cell to combine genetic information. Meiosis is a reproduction cycle that involves a combination of an egg and a sperm cell. Meiosis occurs in gonads of organisms that reproduce sexually. Life cycle Somatic … Read more
Composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen Functions Acting as the main source of energy for the cell Acting as the metabolite for organic compounds eg. fats Participating in the structure and functionality of the cell e.g cell membrane liquidity Structural components e.g receptors Long-term storage of energy for the cell Classes of carbohydrates Monosaccharide Oligosaccharide … Read more
Lipids are molecules that cannot dissolve in water. Cells synthesize most lipids including phospholipids, sterols, and fats. Structure of lipids All lipid molecules are hydrophobic. Lipids are hydrophobic because they have several nonpolar covalent bonds. Unlike other macromolecules, lipids are not polymers. According to their structures, lipids are divided into many subcategories; Fats and oils … Read more
Lipids are: Insoluble in water Soluble organic solvents Utilized by living cells Classification of lipids Simple lipids – These are fats and oils with glycerol and waxes which have alcohol or glycerol. Complex lipids – These have alcohol and other groups such as phosphates. There are three main types of complex lipids: Phospholipids which include … Read more
Metabolism Cells constantly convert energy and matter from one form to another to stay alive. Metabolism refers to all chemical reactions of cells. Metabolism is divided into two: Catabolism This involves all reactions that break complex molecules into simpler ones. Catabolic reactions promote energy transfer from food to a unique form that can be used … Read more
Introduction Proteins are the most abundant type of organic molecule in living systems Proteins carry out various functions inside the body: Structural proteins – Collagen, and elastin which is predominant in bones, vascular systems, and matrix. Dynamic functions – Enzymes, hormones, blood clotting factors, and immunoglobulins. Proteins are polymers of amino acids Amino acids Amino … Read more
Reproducing the cell Cells produce copies of themselves to make new cells. There three reasons why cells make new cells: Growth: Many living organisms start as single cells made from sperm and egg fusion. Single cells then multiply to produce thousands of copies. Most of the growth is by cell division. Repair: if an organism … Read more
There are two types of nucleic acids: Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA). General functions of nucleic acids Controls cellular functions Maintains identity of species over a long time Is used in the synthesis of proteins Components of Nucleic Acids Nucleotides Nucleotides are composed of nitrogenous bases, a phosphate group, and a pentose sugar … Read more