Questions and Answers
What is the primary focus of biochemistry as a discipline?
Which component makes up a large percentage of the weight of cells?
What is the basic unit of carbohydrates?
What role do fatty acids play in biological molecules?
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Which molecule acts as a storage form of energy in plants?
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What type of fatty acid contains only single bonds between carbon atoms?
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What is the primary function of carbohydrates in living organisms?
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Which of the following statements about functional groups in organic bio-molecules is true?
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What is the primary function of amino acids in proteins?
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What distinguishes prokaryotic cells from eukaryotic cells?
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Which of the following processes is essential for maintaining the ordered state of cells?
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Which component is NOT typically found in the nucleoid region of prokaryotic cells?
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What is the primary role of the plasma membrane?
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Which of the following best describes the function of hormones synthesized by cells?
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Which of these biological macromolecules is primarily used for energy storage?
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How do individual amino acids connect within a protein?
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What is the primary function of the nucleolus within the nucleus?
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Which of the following statements about mitochondria is true?
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What is the main role of the smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER)?
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Which structure is responsible for degrading proteins and membranes within the cell?
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What is the main function of the Golgi apparatus?
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What is a key role of chloroplasts in plant cells?
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What function do ribosomes primarily serve?
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Which of the following is true about the cell wall in plant cells?
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What is the primary function of metabolism?
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Which type of reaction involves a transfer of electrons from a donor to an acceptor?
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What type of reaction results in the formation of a double bond by removing atoms from a molecule?
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Which of the following is NOT a typical mechanism of biochemical reactions?
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How do cells mainly obtain energy?
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What is one reason that living cells require a constant flow of energy?
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Which of the following best describes the role of cell membranes?
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Which reaction involves the addition of water to form an alcohol from an alkene?
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Study Notes
Biochemistry Overview
- Biochemistry combines chemistry with biology to study cellular and molecular biological processes.
- Emerged in the early 20th century through the integration of chemistry, physiology, and biology.
- Focus on complex biological molecules and their interactions forming cells, tissues, and organisms.
Bio-molecules
- Molecules are the building blocks of cells, with roughly 10,000 types found in animal and plant cells.
- Water constitutes 50-95% of cell mass; ions like Na+, K+, and Ca+ contribute about 1%.
- Organic bio-molecules primarily consist of carbon (C), hydrogen (H), nitrogen (N), oxygen (O), phosphorus (P), and sulfur (S).
- Functional groups determine the chemical properties of bio-molecules.
Sugars and Carbohydrates
- Carbohydrates are the most abundant organic molecules, synthesized in plants via photosynthesis.
- Basic unit is monosaccharides, which can combine to form larger molecules like glycogen, starch, and cellulose.
- Functions include energy storage, metabolic energy supply, carbon source for synthesis, and structural roles in cells.
Fatty Acids
- Fatty acids are monocarboxylic acids with an even number of carbon atoms.
- Divided into saturated (single bonds) and unsaturated (double bonds) fatty acids.
- Functions include energy storage, membrane structure, insulation, and hormone synthesis.
Amino Acids
- Construct proteins, with 20 common types, each containing amino and carboxyl groups.
- R Group determines chemical characteristics and protein folding/functionality.
- Amino acids link via peptide bonds and serve various functions, including transport, enzymatic, and structural roles.
Cell Structure and Function Principles
- Cells are organized units requiring constant energy to maintain order and perform thousands of biochemical reactions.
- Key metabolic pathways, such as glycolysis, are universal across organisms.
- DNA encodes growth, reproduction, and development instructions.
Types of Cells
- Prokaryotic cells (e.g., bacteria) lack a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.
- Eukaryotic cells (e.g., plants, fungi, animals) have a nucleus and organelles.
Eukaryotic Cell Organelles
- Plasma Membrane: Lipid/protein/carbohydrate complex that regulates transport and signaling.
- Nucleus: Double membrane housing DNA; site of RNA synthesis.
- Mitochondria: Double-membraned organelle for energy production; contains its own DNA.
- Chloroplasts: Site of photosynthesis; also double-membraned with internal thylakoids.
- Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum (RER): Membrane network with ribosomes for protein synthesis.
- Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum (SER): Lipid synthesis and detoxification site.
- Golgi Apparatus: Processes and sends proteins from the RER to their destinations.
- Lysosomes: Degrade waste materials and cellular components.
- Vacuoles: Storage for water and nutrients in plant cells.
- Peroxisomes: Produce and degrade hydrogen peroxide, a metabolic byproduct.
- Cytoskeleton: Protein filament array providing shape and movement.
Biochemical Reactions
- Metabolism encompasses anabolism (energy-consuming) and catabolism (energy-releasing).
- Enzymes catalyze metabolic reactions essential for energy acquisition, molecule synthesis, and waste removal.
- Predominant reaction types in metabolism include nucleophilic substitution, elimination, addition, isomerization, oxidation-reduction, and hydrolysis.
Energy Flow and Cellular Order
- Energy is crucial to maintain cellular organization; cells primarily obtain energy through bio-molecule oxidation.
- Complex cellular structures maintain order via biosynthesis, membrane transport, and organized movement of components.
- Constant energy flow prevents disorganization and supports life processes.
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Description
Explore the fascinating field of biochemistry, which merges chemistry and biology to understand the molecular processes that sustain life. This quiz covers the basics of bio-molecules, their structures, and the vital role of carbohydrates in biological systems.
