1) Explain how atoms and molecules are important to cell processes.

Atoms are the building blocks of matter; an atom is the smallest particle of a chemical element that can exist. Molecules are groups of atoms bonded held together by chemical bonds, forming compounds. All cellular processes; processes that are carried out at the cellular level involve physical or chemical changes in the composition of molecules/ions that are made up of atoms. An example of physical cellular processes is the transport of molecules at the cellular level e. g. by osmosis, diffusion. Metabolism categorizes all chemical reactions taking place in the organism, and it can be divided into two categories: anabolism and catabolism. At the cellular level, anabolism involves chemical reactions that synthesise larger molecules from smaller ones e. g. the enzyme insulin converts glucose that is a smaller molecule to the macromolecule glycogen. Catabolisis comprises of chemical reactions that breakdown larger molecules into smaller ones e. g in respiration glucose is broken down in the presence of oxygen to produce carbondioxide, water and energy in the form of ATP. Hence all cell processes involve the interaction of atoms and molecules.