Biochemistry: Organic and Inorganic Compounds

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Questions and Answers

Which of the following best describes a disaccharide?

A carbohydrate that consists of two monosaccharide units. (correct)

A carbohydrate that is classified as either organic or inorganic.

A simple sugar that cannot be hydrolyzed further.

A carbohydrate composed of three or more monosaccharides.

What is the primary function of polysaccharides in living organisms?

They are involved in the transmission of nerve impulses.

They provide immediate energy to cells.

They act as structural components and energy reserves. (correct)

They serve as a main source of genetic information.

Which statement accurately describes phospholipid bilayers?

They form a barrier that separates the interior of cells from the external environment. (correct)

They involve ionic bonding between lipids and proteins.

They are composed entirely of fatty acids.

They allow all substances to pass freely through the membrane.

Which type of lipid is primarily responsible for long-term energy storage?

Triglycerides Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of proteins in biological systems?

To catalyze chemical reactions and provide structure. Signup and view all the answers

How are the structures of proteins determined?

By the interaction of amino acids within the polypeptide chain. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of carbohydrate is primarily responsible for providing quick energy to cells?

Monosaccharides Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes inorganic compounds from organic compounds?

Inorganic compounds lack carbon. Signup and view all the answers

What property of water explains why solid water floats on liquid water?

Lower density in solid form Signup and view all the answers

Which function of salts (electrolytes) is crucial in the human body?

Conducting electrical impulses Signup and view all the answers

How does osmosis work in relation to osmolarity?

Water moves from low osmolarity to high osmolarity. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a characteristic of acids?

They dissociate into free H+. Signup and view all the answers

What is osmolarity defined as?

The number of solute particles per liter of solvent. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of carbohydrates in the body?

Main energy source Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following correctly defines disaccharides?

Carbohydrates composed of two monosaccharide units Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic is true about polysaccharides?

They cannot be digested by humans. Signup and view all the answers

What is the fundamental structure of a phospholipid?

A glycerol backbone with two fatty acids and a phosphate group Signup and view all the answers

How do fatty acids differ from carbohydrates?

Fatty acids have different proportions of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main function of triglycerides in the body?

Energy storage Signup and view all the answers

What unique property do the heads of phospholipids possess?

They are hydrophilic and attract charged particles. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of lipid is primarily known for forming the cell membrane structure?

Phospholipids Signup and view all the answers

Which process requires energy to move substances across the plasma membrane?

Active transport Signup and view all the answers

Which type of diffusion involves a protein carrier specific to one chemical?

Facilitated diffusion Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes the plasma membrane in terms of its structural nature?

A dynamic fluid structure Signup and view all the answers

Which type of transport specifically involves the movement of water through a specific channel protein?

Osmosis Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the Na+/K+ pump in active transport?

To move potassium into the cell and sodium out Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of mitochondria in the cell?

Production of ATP through cellular respiration Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following accurately describes the structure of the Golgi apparatus?

A series of flattened membrane-bound sacs Signup and view all the answers

Which structures are primarily involved in maintaining the shape and stability of the cell?

Cytoskeletal elements Signup and view all the answers

What is the main function of lysosomes within a cell?

Digestion of macromolecules and waste materials Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of ribosomes in cellular biology?

To synthesize proteins from amino acids Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary function of lysosomes in the cell?

Intracellular digestion of waste products Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements accurately describes the structure of the Golgi apparatus?

It consists of stacked flat sacs. Signup and view all the answers

How do microfilaments contribute to cellular function?

They assist in cellular movement and strengthen the cell surface. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of ribosomes within the cell?

Synthesis of proteins Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic is true about peroxisomes?

They contain oxidase enzymes for detoxification. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of microtubules in the cell?

Positioning organelles and facilitating their movement Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the nucleus's function?

It contains genetic material and regulates its expression. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of cilia in the cell?

To move substances along the cell surface Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Biochemistry

The study of chemical composition and reactions of living matter.

Organic Compounds

Contain carbon (C) and hydrogen (H)
Covalent bonding
Examples:
- Nucleic acids
- Proteins
- Lipids
- Carbohydrates

Inorganic Compounds

Do not contain carbon in general (some exceptions: carbon dioxide and monoxide)
Contain ionic and covalent bonding
Examples:
- Water
- Salts
- Acids
- Bases

Water

Represents 60-80% of most living things.
High concentration of H+ creates an acidic environment.
Low concentration of H+ creates a basic environment.

pH

Measures the acidity or alkalinity of a solution.
Measures the concentration of Hydrogen ions (H+)

Organic Compounds: Carbohydrates

Accessible form of energy (fuel) for the body.
Composed of the subunit CH2O ("hydrated carbon").

Monosaccharides

“Mono” = 1 ; “saccharide” = sugar
Simple sugars, for example: glucose, fructose, galactose

Disaccharides

“di” = 2 ; “saccharide” = sugar
Digestible form of carbohydrates; for example: sucrose, lactose, maltose

Polysaccharides

“poly” = many ; “saccharide” = sugar
Complex carbohydrates. Examples:
- Starch (storage form of glucose in plants)
- Glycogen (storage form of glucose in the liver)
- Cellulose (indigestible fiber; structural component of plant cell walls)

Organic Compounds: Lipids

Hydrophobic (insoluble in water).
Contain carbon (C), hydrogen (H), and oxygen (O), but in different proportions than carbohydrates, giving them different properties.
Examples: triglycerides, phospholipids, steroids, waxes.

Fatty Acids and Triglycerides

Fatty acids are the building blocks for more complex lipids.
Triglycerides are composed of three fatty acids and a glycerol molecule.

Phospholipids

Polar head: hydrophilic (attracts water and charged molecules).
Non-polar tail: hydrophobic (interacts with non-polar molecules).
Part of cell membranes.

Properties of Water

High specific heat: requires a large amount of energy to change state.
Excellent solvent: dissolves many substances (hydrophilic molecules).
Surface tension: allows water molecules to bond together.
Solid water (ice) floats, meaning it is less dense than liquid water.

Inorganic Compounds: Salts

Electrically neutral ionic compounds (contain no H+ or OH- ions).
Dissociate in water, forming ions that can conduct electricity.
Example: Sodium Chloride (NaCl)

Importance of Salts (Electrolytes)

Control water flow in and out of cells.
Support the nervous system (electrical nerve impulses).
Muscle contraction.
Maintain neutral pH in the body.

Osmosis and Osmolarity

Osmolarity: The number of solute particles per 1L of solvent (mOsm/L)
Osmosis: The movement of water from a region of low osmolarity to a region of high osmolarity through a semi-permeable membrane.

Inorganic Compounds: Acids and Bases

Acids: substances that dissociate into free H+ ions (ex. HCl).
Bases: substances that dissociate into OH- ions (NaOH), removing H+ from a solution.
Acids and bases are proton donors/acceptors.

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Description

This quiz covers the essentials of biochemistry, focusing on the distinction between organic and inorganic compounds. You will explore the roles of different compounds such as nucleic acids, proteins, and carbohydrates. Test your knowledge on pH levels and the significance of water in biological systems.