Biochemistry Fundamentals Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What role do nucleic acids NOT play in biological processes?

Transferring genetic information

Directly converting nutrients to energy (correct)

Forming co-enzymes for metabolic reactions

Storing genetic information

Which type of non-covalent interaction is NOT classified as one of the primary types indicated?

Hydrophobic interactions

Electrostatic interactions (correct)

Hydrogen bonding

Ionic interactions

What determines the state of a substance at a molecular level?

The size of the molecule

The atomic mass of the atoms involved

The strength of intermolecular forces (correct)

The presence of covalent bonds

How does the bond energy of hydrogen bonds in water compare to O-H covalent bonds?

It is much lower Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic is NOT a consequence of non-covalent interactions in biological polymers?

Formation of chemical bonds Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of biochemistry as a discipline?

Studying the chemical nature and behavior of living matter Signup and view all the answers

Which branch of biochemistry is primarily concerned with metabolic pathways and their control?

Dynamic Biochemistry Signup and view all the answers

What is one primary reason biochemistry is important in understanding diseases?

It helps to understand the cause of diseases through biological chemical mechanisms Signup and view all the answers

How does water contribute to the maintenance of body temperature?

By being expelled through the skin and lungs Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about the composition of water in organisms is true?

Water accounts for at least 70% of the weight of most organisms Signup and view all the answers

Who first introduced the term 'biochemistry' and when?

Carl Neuberg in 1903 Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a recognized branch of biochemistry?

Astronomical Chemistry Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary consequence of losing 10% of body water?

Serious health risk Signup and view all the answers

Which statement correctly describes metabolic water?

It results from the oxidation of food sources Signup and view all the answers

What does edema in tissues indicate?

Accumulation of water in tissues Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of dehydration if water output exceeds intake?

Serious health problems Signup and view all the answers

How are macromolecules primarily formed?

Through a process called polymerization Signup and view all the answers

Which macromolecule produces the most water upon oxidation of 100g?

Fat Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of polymers in relation to their monomers?

They exhibit different properties than their monomers Signup and view all the answers

What does a loss of 20% body water lead to?

Fatal outcomes Signup and view all the answers

What is primarily observed in children with Kwashiorkor?

Edema due to water retention Signup and view all the answers

What type of macromolecule is glucose classified as?

Monosaccharide Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes a primary function of carbohydrates?

Energy storage and structure Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes carbohydrates from lipids in relation to their structure?

Carbohydrates consist primarily of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen Signup and view all the answers

Which carbohydrate is exclusively utilized by the brain for energy?

Glucose Signup and view all the answers

Glycoproteins play a significant role in which cellular process?

Cell to cell recognition Signup and view all the answers

What is a common function of both starch and cellulose?

Providing structural support to cells Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements is true regarding carbohydrates in plants versus animals?

Plants contain a significantly higher percentage of carbohydrates. Signup and view all the answers

What is the fundamental building block of nucleic acids?

Nucleotides Signup and view all the answers

In which form do carbohydrates primarily contribute to the structure of cell walls in plants?

Cellulose Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of triglycerides among lipids?

Shock absorption and energy storage Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of sulphur is typically found in animal proteins?

0.5 - 2.0% Signup and view all the answers

Which element is not part of the molecular structure of nucleic acids?

Sulphur Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the roles of lipid molecules in the body?

Energy storage Signup and view all the answers

What type of protein is primarily responsible for the transmission of nerve impulses?

Receptor proteins Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic feature of lipids compared to proteins and carbohydrates?

High energy value Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is true regarding proteins as biological catalysts?

All proteins function as enzymes Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary component responsible for the structural integrity of skin and bone?

Proteins Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about RNA is correct?

It plays a role in protein synthesis Signup and view all the answers

What primary function does haemoglobin serve in the body?

Transport of oxygen Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a characteristic of fibres mentioned?

Increases bowel movement Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

General Biochemistry (CHY 2026) - Unit 1: Introduction

Biochemistry is the science focused on the chemical nature and behavior of living matter. It analyzes living matter in terms of chemistry.
This includes metabolic reactions like digestion, excretion, and respiration.
It also involves analyzing biomolecules and characterizing cell components.
Biochemistry's origins trace back to the early 1500s and the term itself was introduced by Carl Neuberg in 1903.

Branches of Biochemistry

Biochemistry can be categorized as descriptive and dynamic.
Descriptive Biochemistry: Focuses on the qualitative and quantitative characterization of cell components.
Dynamic Biochemistry: Concerned with the mechanisms of action involving those components.

Newer Disciplines in Biochemistry

Enzymology,
Endocrinology,
Clinical Biochemistry,
Molecular Biology,
Biotechnology,
Pharmacological Biochemistry,
Nutrition,
Fermentation Technology, and more.

Applications of Biochemistry

Biochemistry is involved in various fields, including:
- Science communication: Public outreach and education.
- Marketing: Promoting biochemical products and research.
- Forensics: Applying biochemistry to legal investigations.
- Patent law: Protecting intellectual property related to biochemical discoveries.
- Bioinformatics: Using computational tools for analyzing biological information.
- Commerce: Applying biochemical understanding to industrial production.
- Research: Fundamental protein, gene, and enzyme function studies.
- Biotechnology: Crop improvement, environmental protection, livestock health/quality, winemaking, pharmaceutical & household product developments.
- Human health: Cancer, Alzheimer's, diabetes, infectious disease, arthritis, HIV, etc.

Importance of Biochemistry

Understanding diseases: Identifying causes of ailments.
Composition of living cells: Studying the molecular nature of living cells.
Biomolecule location/structure: Knowing where biomolecules reside and their shapes within cells.
Biomolecule function & relationship: Understanding how the structure of biomolecules relates to their functions.
Biochemicals in cells: Studying the origins and production of various biochemicals, both from nutrients and within cellular processes.
Pathways/biosynthesis/biodegradation: Insight into how biomolecules interact in metabolic pathways.
Maintaining cellular molecule concentration: Understanding how cells regulate necessary biomolecular concentrations for metabolic activity.

Chemical Composition of Humans

Humans consist of various chemical compositions.

Biological Importance of Water

Water is fundamental for life as a molecular compound (H₂O).
It is the most abundant substance on Earth.
Many organisms are high proportion water (e.g., 72% in the human body).
Humans (and other organisms) maintain body temperature through water. Large water loss can be fatal.

What Water Does for You (Human Body)

Water has many roles in the human body, including:
- Forms saliva (crucial for digestion).
- Keeps mucous membranes moist.
- Allows cell growth, reproduction, and survival.
- Flushes body waste (primarily urine).
- Lubricates joints.
- Is a major component of most body parts.
- Regulates body temperature.
- Acts as a shock absorber (brain, spinal cord).
- Converts food to components for organism survival (digestion).
- Helps deliver oxygen throughout the body.

Water Balance

Water balance is the equilibrium between water intake and output.
Metabolic water is available through the oxidation of food.
Dehydration can result if output exceeds intake, particularly dangerous for infants. Water accumulation (edema) can also be problematic.
Examples like Kwashiorkor showcase these issues.

Daily Water Intake and Output

Daily water intake and output vary by climate. (See table 2-2 in supplemental material).

Overview of Chemical Composition of the Body

Carbon compounds are versatile and polymerize into large macromolecules.
Macromolecules are often polymers, assembled through smaller organic molecules (monomers) via condensation.
Macromolecules possess different properties than their constituent monomers (e.g., glucose vs. starch).

Biological Macromolecules

The major organic macromolecules are:
- Carbohydrates
- Proteins
- Lipids
- Nucleic Acids.

Macromolecules and Monomers

Carbohydrates: Monosaccharides. Examples include glucose, fructose, galactose
Proteins: Amino acids
Lipids: Fatty acids and glycerols
Nucleic acids: Nucleotides (See supplementary table on Macromolecules and their Monomers)

Organic Compound Groups & Examples

Detailed information on different organic compounds found within the body. This includes carbohydrates' structural details, protein-based enzymes, types of lipids, and nucleic acids' role. (See supplementary table about various organic compounds).
This includes specific examples such as glucose, cholesterol & DNA

Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates—also known as sugars or saccharides—are composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen.
Plants contain more carbohydrates than animals.
Carbohydrates are essential energy sources for the body (especially the brain).
They are components of RNA and DNA.
They are a structural component of bacterial/plant cell walls

Carbohydrates Continued and other functions

Carbohydrate molecules are linked to proteins (glycoproteins) and lipids (glycolipids), facilitating cell-to-cell recognition processes.
Dietary fiber increases bowel movement.

Proteins

Proteins are the most abundant intracellular macromolecules.
Proteins are primarily composed of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and small amounts of sulfur.
Proteins are often biological catalysts (enzymes).
Proteins act as carriers for small molecules and ions (e.g., hemoglobin carries oxygen).
Proteins are crucial to the strength of structures like skin and bone.
Proteins regulate immune responses, crucial in nerve impulse transmission and are parts of the muscle tissue.

Lipids

Lipids are a diverse group including fats, oils, and waxes.
Lipids are important energy storage molecules and part of membranes.
Lipids are essentially insoluble in water (hydrophobic).

Nucleic Acids

Nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) are found in the cell nucleus and cytoplasm.
Nucleic acids are composed of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and phosphorus.
DNA and RNA store and transmit genetic information.
Nucleic acids are involved in protein synthesis and metabolic processes.

Functional Groups

Functional groups are specific atomic groups or structures that define particular molecular properties (e.g., hydroxyl, methyl).
These functional groups alter certain properties of molecules.

Functional Groups and Linkages

Various functional groups present in biologically active compounds can form linkages into prodrugs.. (See table for examples)

Covalent and Non-Covalent Interactions

Intermolecular forces: Forces of attraction between molecules/atoms (important in the overall shape of biological molecules.
Covalent interactions: Interactions that share electrons between atoms creating chemical bonds in molecules.
- Example: Disulfide bonds formed through oxidation of sulfur-containing molecules.

Non-Covalent Interactions

Non-covalent forces shape the structure and function of biological molecules, influencing both shape and flexibility within the cell.
These interactions are critical to interactions with other molecules inside a cell.
Non-covalent interactions include:
- Hydrogen bonds
- Ionic Interactions (salt bridges)
- Van der Waals interactions
- Hydrophobic interactions.

Hydrogen Bonds

A type of intermolecular force where a hydrogen atom is attracted to an electronegative atom (N, O, or F).
Hydrogen bonds are crucial in maintaining the structure of many biological molecules, including proteins and nucleic acids.

Ionic Interactions

Occur between oppositely charged ions (e.g., salt bridges).

Van der Waals Interactions

Weak, temporary attractions between molecules or atoms due to fluctuating electron densities.

Hydrophobic Interactions

These interactions occur between non-polar molecules in an aqueous environment as a result of the energetically unfavorable interaction between water and non-polar molecules.

Covalent Bonds

Chemical bonding of two atoms by sharing electrons.
Disulfide bonds form by the oxidation of cysteine residues, which contributes to the stabilization of protein structures.

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Description

Test your knowledge on key concepts in biochemistry, including the roles of nucleic acids, non-covalent interactions, and metabolic pathways. This quiz explores fundamental principles that govern biological processes and the significance of biochemistry in understanding health and disease.