Biological Macromolecules and Carbon Chemistry
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Questions and Answers

Which functional group is most likely to participate in a reaction with another molecule?

  • Methyl group
  • Hydroxyl group (correct)
  • Carbon-carbon single bond
  • Non-polar hydrocarbon chain

A carboxyl group can behave as an acid because it can:

  • Accept a hydrogen ion ($H^+$)
  • Share electrons
  • Release a hydrogen ion ($H^+$) (correct)
  • Donate electrons

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a functional group?

  • Participates in chemical reactions
  • Affects how a molecule reacts
  • Forms covalent bonds with other nonpolar portions of a biological molecule (correct)
  • Typically ionic or strongly polar

What type of molecules are composed of building blocks containing amino and carboxyl groups?

<p>Proteins (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following molecules are most accurately described as very polar?

<p>Carbohydrates (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following would be directly involved in dehydration synthesis?

<p>The joining of fatty acids to a glycerol molecule (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT true about the non-polar hydrocarbon portions of biological molecules?

<p>They initiate biochemical reactions (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is considered the building block of nucleic acids?

<p>Nucleotides (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary structural characteristic of polysaccharides?

<p>Very long or branching chains with α or β-linkages (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main function of polysaccharides in living organisms?

<p>Energy storage, structural support, and cell communication (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT an example of a polysaccharide?

<p>Triglyceride (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What key process occurs during dehydration synthesis?

<p>Water molecules are produced as subunits join (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which process involves the use of water to split large molecules into smaller subunits?

<p>Hydrolysis (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of salivary amylase in carbohydrate digestion?

<p>Breaks down complex sugars into their monomeric form (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why do lipids not dissolve in water?

<p>They are non-polar molecules (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main function of triglycerides?

<p>Primary backup as a source of energy to carbohydrates (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of carbon in biological macromolecules?

<p>To form the structural backbone of molecules. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic of carbon atoms allows for the vast diversity of organic molecules?

<p>The capacity to form four covalent bonds and various structures. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of chemical reaction involves the removal of water to join monomers into polymers?

<p>Dehydration synthesis. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main process by which polymers are broken down into monomers?

<p>Hydrolysis. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT considered a major type of biological macromolecule?

<p>Minerals. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

If a molecule has polar or ionic qualities how will it interact with other molecules?

<p>It will exhibit significant interactions based on its charge polarity. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best defines the role of a functional group in a biological molecule?

<p>It influences the chemical behavior of the molecule. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best represents the dry weight composition of a cell?

<p>Mostly the four main types of biological macromolecules. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Polysaccharide structure

Very long, straight or branched chains of simple sugar monomers linked by glycosidic bonds.

Polysaccharide function

Polysaccharides serve as energy stores, structural components, and even participate in cell communication.

Polysaccharide examples?

Examples of polysaccharides include starch, glycogen, cellulose, and chitin.

Dehydration Synthesis

Dehydration synthesis is a chemical reaction where monomers join to form polymers, releasing a water molecule in the process.

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Hydrolysis

Hydrolysis is a chemical reaction where polymers are broken down into monomers by adding a water molecule.

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What are lipids?

Lipids are a diverse group of non-polar biological molecules that include fats, oils, waxes, and steroids.

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Lipids - function?

Lipids serve as energy reserves, form cellular membranes, and act as hormones and signaling molecules.

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What is a triglyceride?

Triglycerides are a type of lipid primarily used as an energy source, providing more energy per gram than carbohydrates.

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What are monosaccharides?

The building blocks of a carbohydrate molecule.

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What is a functional group?

A group of atoms that influences how a molecule reacts with other molecules by participating in chemical reactions.

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What's the difference between a hydrocarbon chain and a functional group?

A hydrocarbon chain is long and has only carbon and hydrogen atoms, making it non-polar. Functional groups are usually ionic or polar, making them more reactive.

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How does dehydration synthesis work?

Dehydration synthesis removes a water molecule and creates a new bond, linking monomers together. This is a process that creates polymers from small molecules.

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What is hydrolysis?

Hydrolysis breaks a bond by adding a water molecule. It's like undoing dehydration synthesis, breaking down polymers into smaller monomers.

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Why is hydrolysis important for digestion?

Hydrolysis is essential for digestion, as it breaks down large food molecules into smaller units that can be absorbed by the body.

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Why is dehydration synthesis important for the body?

Dehydration synthesis is important for the body to create complex structures, like proteins, carbohydrates, and nucleic acids.

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How do functional groups contribute to interactions with other molecules?

Functional groups such as carboxyl, amino, and phosphate groups are often charged, enabling them to participate in ionic interactions with other molecules.

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Carbon's role in biological molecules

Carbon atoms form the backbone of a wide variety of biological molecules, including carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.

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Carbon's ability to form various structures

Carbon atoms can bond together to form chains, branched structures, and rings, giving rise to the diversity of organic molecules.

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Carbon's valence electrons

Carbon has four valence electrons, allowing it to form up to four covalent bonds with other atoms, contributing to its versatility in building molecules.

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Functional groups in organic molecules

Functional groups are specific groups of atoms attached to a carbon backbone, influencing the molecule's chemical properties and reactions.

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Dehydration reaction

A dehydration reaction removes a water molecule when two monomers join, forming a larger polymer.

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Hydrolysis reaction

A hydrolysis reaction breaks a chemical bond by adding a water molecule, splitting a polymer into smaller monomers.

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Macromolecules: The building blocks of life

Large biological molecules, such as carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids, are essential for life processes and make up a significant portion of a cell's dry weight.

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Four main types of macromolecules

The four major types of macromolecules: carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids, play crucial roles in various biological functions.

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Study Notes

Carbon Chemistry of Life

  • Carbon atoms form the backbone of biological molecules
  • Carbon can form single, double, and triple covalent bonds.
  • Functional groups affect how molecules interact
  • Dehydration synthesis removes water to combine subunits
  • Hydrolysis uses water to break down larger molecules

Biological Macromolecules

  • Carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids are major types of biological molecules.
  • Carbohydrates are the principle energy source. Monosaccharides are the fundamental elements which bond together to construct larger carbohydrates
  • Lipids store energy and form cell membranes
  • Proteins are involved in diverse processes, including catalyzing reactions
  • Nucleic acids store genetic information

Carbohydrates

  • Monosaccharides are the simplest carbohydrates (e.g., glucose, fructose, galactose).
  • Disaccharides are formed by combining two monosaccharides through dehydration reactions. (e.g. maltose, sucrose, lactose.)
  • Polysaccharides are complex carbohydrates formed by many monosaccharides bonded together. (e.g., glycogen, starch, cellulose).
  • Hydroxyl functional groups make sugars soluble in water

Lipids

  • Lipids are a diverse group that do not dissolve in water
  • Triglycerides, a type of lipid, comprise three fatty acids attached to glycerol
  • Fatty acids can be saturated or unsaturated, impacting their physical properties
  • Phospholipids build cell membranes because they are the fundamental structural component. Phospholipids in a bilayer organize themselves creating a membrane with polar hydrophilic heads that are soluble in water, and a non-polar hydrophobic tails that are insoluble in water.

Proteins

  • Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins
  • Proteins have diverse functions due to their different sequences and shapes
  • Proteins are composed of chains of amino acids linked by peptide bonds
  • Proteins assume 4 different levels of structure (primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary)

Nucleic Acids

  • Nucleic acids store genetic information and function in gene expression
  • DNA and RNA are composed of nucleotides, each containing a pentose sugar, a nitrogenous base and one to three phosphate groups
  • DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) is a double helix.
  • RNA (ribonucleic acid) is single-stranded.
  • The specific sequence of nucleotides in nucleic acids directs protein synthesis.

Enzymes

  • Enzymes are biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions
  • Enzymes are proteins with an active site that fits a specific substrate
  • Enzyme function is highly sensitive to environmental conditions like temperature.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the carbon chemistry of life and the major biological macromolecules. Explore the roles of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids, as well as the processes of dehydration synthesis and hydrolysis. This quiz covers essential concepts for understanding the molecular basis of life.

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