Biological Molecules Quiz

Making an observation about a phenomenon

A testable explanation based on available information

To gather information and understand what is already known about the topic

A body of statements of varying degrees of certainty

Determining their existing understanding, uncovering fresh insights, and assessing the level of certainty in their knowledge

To predict the outcome of an experiment or observation

Deductive reasoning

Peer review

Testable and non-testable hypotheses

The Hypothetico-Deductive Method

Induction-based science

A large body of evidence

They have different numbers of neutrons

Difference in electronegativity

Cohesion

Non-polar covalent bond

Carbon

Number of protons

Hydrophobic interactions and disulfide bonds

Saturated and unsaturated

Amino acids

Linear sequence of amino acids

Amphipathic nature

Hormonal and structural roles

Unsaturated fatty acids

Energy storage

Dehydration synthesis

Mirror images of each other with non-superimposable configurations

Polymers

Starch, glycogen, and cellulose

The scientific method serves as a structured approach aimed at assisting individuals in determining their existing understanding, uncovering fresh insights, and assessing the level of certainty they can have in their knowledge. Its structured process elements include observation, research, hypothesis, experimentation, analysis, and conclusion.

A hypothesis is a testable explanation or educated guess based on the available information. It is a statement that predicts the outcome of an experiment or observation. In the scientific method, hypotheses serve as the foundation for designing experiments or studies and predicting the expected results.

Background research is essential in the scientific method as it helps scientists gather information and understand what is already known about a topic. This understanding aids in forming hypotheses, designing experiments or studies, and ensuring that the new research contributes meaningfully to the existing knowledge.

The quote underscores the diverse levels of certainty associated with scientific knowledge. It emphasizes that scientific understanding ranges from being very uncertain to nearly certain, with no absolute certainty. This highlights the dynamic and evolving nature of scientific knowledge, which is subject to continuous questioning, testing, and refinement.

Observation is the initial step in the scientific method, involving the act of making an observation about a particular phenomenon or asking a question about it. It serves as the starting point for scientific inquiry, often arising from curiosity or prior knowledge. Observations play a crucial role in guiding the formulation of hypotheses and the design of subsequent experiments or studies.

The scientific method aims to assist individuals in determining their existing understanding, uncovering fresh insights, and assessing the level of certainty they can have in their knowledge. It serves as a systematic approach for investigating natural phenomena, gaining new knowledge, and continuously refining scientific understanding through rigorous inquiry and experimentation.

Enantiomers are non-superimposable mirror images of each other, occurring when a C atom has 4 different attachments.

Condensation synthesis is the process by which macromolecules are synthesized through the formation of covalent bonds and the release of a water molecule. An example is the formation of proteins from amino acid monomers.

Oligosaccharides are short chains of 2 or more sugar monomers, while disaccharides consist of two sugar monomers. An example of an oligosaccharide is maltose, and an example of a disaccharide is sucrose.

Saturated fatty acids have only single bonds, while unsaturated fatty acids have one or more double bonds. Unsaturated fatty acids can be in cis or trans configurations, and they have implications for health due to their impact on cholesterol levels.

Lipids are typically insoluble in water due to their non-polar covalent bonds. Examples of lipid types include fats, phospholipids, and steroids.

Condensation reaction forms covalent bonds through the loss of a water molecule, while hydrolysis breaks apart bonds through the addition of water.

The cis and trans configurations of fatty acids affect the arrangement of carbon chains, with cis configurations causing kinks and increasing fluidity, while trans configurations result in straight chains and reduced fluidity.

Saturated fatty acids contain only single bonds and are solid at room temperature, while unsaturated fatty acids have one or more double bonds and are typically liquid at room temperature.

Phospholipids are essential for cellular membrane integrity due to their amphipathic nature, with hydrophilic heads and hydrophobic tails, allowing them to form the lipid bilayer that constitutes the cell membrane.

Proteins play diverse roles in living organisms, including structural, catalytic, and transport functions. They are composed of monomers called amino acids, with 20 commonly found amino acids.

Plants are capable of synthesizing all 20 protein amino acids, while mammals need to obtain essential amino acids from their diet.

Proteins exhibit distinct levels of structure, including primary (linear sequence of amino acids), secondary (alpha-helices and beta-sheets formed by hydrogen bonds), and tertiary (3D folding determining function) structures.

Isotopes have the same atomic number but different mass numbers due to varying numbers of neutrons.

Covalent bonds involve electrons in outer orbitals forming pairs. They can be non-polar (electrons shared equally) or polar (unequally shared).

Ionic bonds occur when there is a large difference in electronegativity, involving electron transfer.

Hydrogen bonds are weak and transient, forming due to polar covalent bonds containing hydrogen. They contribute to water's cohesion, adhesion, and its liquid state at room temperature.

Water is fundamental to life, with cells consisting of approximately 80% water. It exhibits cohesion, adhesion, and its extensive hydrogen bonding causes it to be a liquid at room temperature.

Carbon is the backbone of life, with all biological molecules being carbon-based and carbon atoms always having four bonds.

Induction-based science uses inductive reasoning to form generalizations or hypotheses based on specific observations or evidence, such as Darwin's theory of evolution. Hypothesis-based science uses deductive reasoning and involves the testing of hypotheses through experimentation, such as testing the effect of a new drug on a specific disease.

Peer review is the evaluation of scientific work by others in the same field to ensure its quality and validity. Experts assess the research methods, data analysis, and conclusions to determine if the study meets the standards for publication and contributes to the scientific community.

Falsifiability is the ability of a hypothesis to be proven false through experimentation or observation. An example of a falsifiable hypothesis is 'All swans are white,' which can be proven false by finding a single black swan.

The Hypothetico-Deductive Method is used to test hypotheses through experiments with predictable outcomes. An example is testing the hypothesis that a new fertilizer will increase crop yield by conducting controlled experiments with and without the fertilizer.

Testable hypotheses can be investigated through experimentation or observation, while non-testable hypotheses cannot be empirically tested. An example of a testable hypothesis is 'Increasing temperature will speed up the rate of chemical reactions,' while an example of a non-testable hypothesis is 'The universe was created by a supernatural being.'

Independent verification involves other researchers replicating an experiment or study to confirm its results. An example of independently verified findings is the discovery of the structure of DNA by Watson and Crick, which has been replicated and confirmed by numerous other scientists.