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Questions and Answers
What is the primary focus of biochemistry as a discipline?
What is the primary focus of biochemistry as a discipline?
Which component makes up a large percentage of the weight of cells?
Which component makes up a large percentage of the weight of cells?
What is the basic unit of carbohydrates?
What is the basic unit of carbohydrates?
What role do fatty acids play in biological molecules?
What role do fatty acids play in biological molecules?
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Which molecule acts as a storage form of energy in plants?
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?
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?
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?
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?
What is the primary function of amino acids in proteins?
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What distinguishes prokaryotic cells from eukaryotic cells?
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?
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?
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?
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?
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?
Which of these biological macromolecules is primarily used for energy storage?
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How do individual amino acids connect within a protein?
How do individual amino acids connect within a protein?
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What is the primary function of the nucleolus within the nucleus?
What is the primary function of the nucleolus within the nucleus?
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Which of the following statements about mitochondria is true?
Which of the following statements about mitochondria is true?
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What is the main role of the smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER)?
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?
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?
What is the main function of the Golgi apparatus?
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What is a key role of chloroplasts in plant cells?
What is a key role of chloroplasts in plant cells?
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What function do ribosomes primarily serve?
What function do ribosomes primarily serve?
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Which of the following is true about the cell wall in plant cells?
Which of the following is true about the cell wall in plant cells?
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What is the primary function of metabolism?
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?
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?
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?
Which of the following is NOT a typical mechanism of biochemical reactions?
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How do cells mainly obtain energy?
How do cells mainly obtain energy?
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What is one reason that living cells require a constant flow of energy?
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?
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?
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.