Biochemistry Quiz: Enzymes and Catalysts

Questions and Answers

What is a catalyst?

Any chemical substance

A type of enzyme that does not change (correct)

A molecule that decreases the reaction time

A substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction (correct)

What are the functions of enzymes?

Enzymes speed up the rate of chemical reactions.

What type of biomolecule are enzymes?

Proteins

How does the shape of an enzyme affect its function?

The shape of an enzyme is important as it determines how it catalyzes a substrate. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the lock and key mechanism model of enzyme structure.

The lock and key model describes how only the correctly sized key (substrate) fits into the right lock (enzyme). Signup and view all the answers

How do enzymes speed up chemical reactions?

Enzymes speed up reactions by lowering the activation energy required. Signup and view all the answers

What are the basic properties of enzymes?

Enzymes are catalysts, reusable, specifically shaped, and have an active site. Signup and view all the answers

What are the four basic biomolecules?

Carbohydrates Signup and view all the answers

What are the monomers of each biomolecule?

Monosaccharides for carbohydrates, glycerol and fatty acids for lipids, nucleotides for nucleic acids, and amino acids for proteins. Signup and view all the answers

What elements are each category of biomolecules composed of?

Carbohydrates (C, H, O), Proteins (C, H, O, N), Lipids (C, H, O), Nucleic Acids (C, H, O, N, P). Signup and view all the answers

What are some examples of the four macromolecules?

Carbs provide energy, proteins give antibodies and enzymes, lipids provide insulation, and nucleic acids store genetic code. Signup and view all the answers

Which biomolecules can store the most energy and why?

Lipids store the most energy due to their high percentage of carbon to carbon bonds. Signup and view all the answers

What types of reactions bond monomers together?

Condensation bonds monomers together, while hydrolysis breaks them apart. Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between monosaccharides, disaccharides, and polysaccharides?

Monosaccharides are single sugar units, disaccharides are two sugar units, and polysaccharides contain many sugar units. Signup and view all the answers

What are some examples of each of the four macromolecules?

Proteins (beef), carbohydrates (bread), lipids (fats), nucleic acids (DNA, RNA). Signup and view all the answers

What does CHO stand for?

Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen. Signup and view all the answers

What does CHON stand for?

Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen. Signup and view all the answers

What does CHON P stand for?

Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen, Phosphorus. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Enzymes and Catalysts

Enzymes are biological catalysts that increase the rate of chemical reactions without undergoing permanent changes themselves.
They are primarily proteins made from amino acid monomers, crucial for biological processes.

Enzyme Structure and Function

Enzyme shape is critical as it determines how effectively a substrate can bind and be catalyzed.
The "lock and key" model illustrates that only a specific substrate (key) can fit into the enzyme's active site (lock).

Mechanism of Action

Enzymes lower the activation energy required for a reaction, facilitating quicker transitions from reactants to products.
They maintain their mass and chemical composition post-reaction, allowing them to be reused.

Biological Macromolecules

Four main types of biomolecules: carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids, each serving vital roles within organisms.
Each macromolecule is composed of specific monomers:
- Carbohydrates consist of monosaccharides.
- Lipids include glycerol and fatty acids.
- Nucleic acids are made from nucleotides.
- Proteins are made of amino acids.

Composition of Biomolecules

Carbohydrates are composed of carbon (C), hydrogen (H), and oxygen (O).
Proteins are mainly carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen (CHON).
Lipids also follow a CHO composition and include various types like fats and oils.
Nucleic acids contain carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and phosphorus (CHONP).

Macromolecule Functions

Carbohydrates provide energy; proteins function as antibodies and enzymes; lipids offer insulation; nucleic acids encode genetic information.
Lipids are noted for their high energy storage potential due to the significant number of carbon-carbon bonds.

Chemical Reactions Involving Monomers

Hydrolysis is the reaction that breaks bonds between monomers, facilitating breakdown processes.
Condensation (or dehydration synthesis) is the process used to bond monomers together, resulting in larger macromolecules.

Sugar Classification

Monosaccharides are the simplest carbohydrates, serving as building blocks containing single sugar units.
Disaccharides consist of two monosaccharide units while polysaccharides comprise multiple sugar units; polysaccharides are more commonly found in nature compared to monosaccharides.

Examples of Macromolecules

Proteins: Beef (polymers of amino acids)
Carbohydrates: Bread (polymers of sugars)
Lipids: Fats (polymers of lipid monomers)
Nucleic acids: DNA and RNA

Key Elements

CHO: Carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen
CHON: Carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen
CHONP: Carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and phosphorus

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Description

This quiz covers essential concepts related to enzymes, including their functions, characteristics, and the type of biomolecules they are. Test your knowledge on catalysts and the role of amino acids in enzyme structure. Perfect for students studying biochemistry!