Biochemistry Overview Quiz

Study Notes

Learning Objectives

Understand the structure, properties, and functions of essential biomolecules: water, carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.
Grasp the concepts of cellular transport mechanisms: passive and active processes.

Biochemistry Overview

Study of chemical compounds in living systems and their reactions.
Compounds classified as organic (contain carbon) and inorganic (do not contain carbon).

Organic vs. Inorganic Compounds

Organic Compounds:
- Include carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and their derivatives.
- Examples: fats, nucleic acids, sugars, enzymes, proteins, hydrocarbons.
Inorganic Compounds:
- Lack carbon, hydrogen, and their derivatives.
- Examples: non-metals, salts, bases, acids, metals.

Water

Most ubiquitous compound in organisms; essential for life.
Comprises 70% of Earth's surface and 65-90% of body weight in living organisms.
Exists as solid, liquid, and gas, crucial for vital biological processes.

Structure of Water Molecules

Formula: H2O, consisting of one oxygen atom and two hydrogen atoms.
Hydrogen atoms are angled at approximately 105° from the oxygen, not directly opposite.
Water is a polar molecule due to differential charges: hydrogen (positive) and oxygen (negative).

Hydrogen Bonding

Oxygen atom can form hydrogen bonds with hydrogen atoms of neighboring water molecules.
Hydrogen bonds are weaker than covalent bonds but are strong enough to maintain liquid water at moderate temperatures.

Forms of Water

Liquid state at room temperature with high boiling point.
Requires significant energy to break hydrogen bonds for temperature increase.

Properties of Water

Universal Solvent:
- Water's polarity allows it to dissolve ionic (e.g. salts) and polar substances (e.g. sugars, alcohols).
- Essential substances like vitamins and amino acids are transported as solutes in water, vital for metabolic processes.
Viscosity:
- Low viscosity due to small molecule size and easily broken hydrogen bonds, facilitating fluid flow in blood plasma and lymph.
Specific Heat Capacity:
- Highest specific heat on Earth; requires substantial energy to change temperature.
- Helps maintain stable temperatures in organisms, vital for cellular functions.
Latent Heat of Vaporization:
- Energy required to convert water from liquid to vapor, playing a role in temperature regulation and cooling processes.

Description

Test your knowledge on the essential biomolecules, their properties, and functions. This quiz covers key concepts such as organic and inorganic compounds, as well as cellular transport mechanisms. Enhance your understanding of the chemical foundation of life.