The mitochondria help break the final process breaking down glucose for usable energy in a cell. What organ could compare this on a larger scale?
The organ that could compare to the mitochondria on a larger scale in terms of breaking down glucose for usable energy would be the liver. The liver performs various metabolic functions, including glycogen storage, glucose production, and glucose uptake, as well as the breakdown of glucose through a process called glycolysis, eventually generating usable energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Similarly, the mitochondria within cells carry out the final step of glucose breakdown (the citric acid cycle and oxidative phosphorylation) to produce ATP, which can be utilized by the cell for energy. Thus, the liver and mitochondria share a similar role in energy metabolism, albeit on different scales.
shorter answer
The organ that can compare to the mitochondria on a larger scale is the liver.
What makes one amino different from another? What element does an amino acid have that lipids do not?
Amino acids are organic molecules that are the building blocks of proteins. They are differentiated from each other based on their side chains, which are also known as R groups. The R group can vary in structure, size, and functional groups, which gives each amino acid its distinct characteristics. The differences in the R groups determine the chemical properties, polarity, and reactivity of the amino acids.
Amino acids contain the element nitrogen (N), which is absent in lipids. Lipids are composed mainly of carbon (C) and hydrogen (H), with some oxygen (O) atoms. Amino acids, in addition to carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, also contain nitrogen, and some amino acids also contain sulfur (S). This presence of nitrogen distinguishes amino acids from lipids in terms of elemental composition.
shorter
Amino acids are differentiated by their side chains (R groups), which give them distinct properties. Amino acids contain nitrogen (N), while lipids do not.
Compare and contrast starch and cellulose.
Starch and cellulose are both polysaccharides and are composed of repeating glucose units, yet they have distinct structures and functions.
1. Structure: Starch is composed of two types of glucose polymers: amylose, which is a linear chain, and amylopectin, which is branched. In contrast, cellulose is a linear polymer of glucose molecules linked by beta-1,4-glycosidic bonds.
2. Function: Starch serves as a storage polysaccharide in plants, storing glucose for energy reserves. It is readily broken down by enzymes to provide energy. Cellulose, on the other hand, provides structural support to plant cell walls, forming a rigid, fibrous structure that gives plants strength and shape.
3. Digestibility: Starch is easily digested by enzymes in the human digestive system, such as amylase, and can be broken down into glucose for energy. However, humans lack the necessary enzyme (cellulase) to digest cellulose. Therefore, cellulose passes through the human digestive system undigested, providing fiber and aiding in bowel movements.
4. Linkages: The glucose units in starch are linked by alpha-1,4-glycosidic bonds, which form helical structures. In cellulose, the glucose units are linked by beta-1,4-glycosidic bonds, resulting in a linear and rigid structure.
Overall, while starch and cellulose are both composed of glucose molecules, their structural differences lead to contrasting functions and digestibility in organisms.