Biological Molecules Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What are the four classes of large biological molecules?

Proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and fatty acids

Carbohydrates, proteins, nucleic acids, and minerals

Carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids (correct)

Carbohydrates, vitamins, proteins, and lipids

Which reaction joins two monomers together to form a polymer?

Oxidation reaction

Hydrolysis

Condensation reaction

Dehydration synthesis (correct)

What is the primary role of monosaccharides in cells?

As a major fuel for cells and raw material for building molecules (correct)

To store genetic information

To serve as a structural component for cellular membranes

To facilitate enzyme activity in metabolic processes

Which of the following statements about polymers is false?

Only proteins and carbohydrates can form polymers Signup and view all the answers

What does hydrolysis do to polymers?

It disassembles polymers into monomers by adding water Signup and view all the answers

Which macromolecule is primarily composed of sugar building blocks?

Carbohydrates Signup and view all the answers

What is the most common monosaccharide?

Glucose Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following processes involves the removal of a water molecule?

Dehydration synthesis Signup and view all the answers

What type of linkage connects sugar monomers in polysaccharides?

Glycosidic linkages Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is FALSE about starch?

Starch is primarily found in animal tissues. Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes cellulose from starch?

Cellulose has a different type of glycosidic linkage. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary structural component of plant cell walls?

Cellulose Signup and view all the answers

Why can't enzymes that digest starch break down cellulose?

Cellulose has beta glycosidic linkages. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about chitin is TRUE?

Chitin contains nitrogen in each sugar monomer. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes lipids?

They do not form polymers. Signup and view all the answers

What feature gives lipids their hydrophobic nature?

Nonpolar covalent bonds in hydrocarbons Signup and view all the answers

What structure do phospholipids form when added to water?

A bilayer Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of steroids?

They contain four fused rings. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of protein is primarily involved in facilitating chemical reactions?

Enzymatic proteins Signup and view all the answers

What is the main function of transport proteins?

To transport other substances Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of cholesterol in cell membranes?

To maintain fluidity and stability Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a function of proteins?

Energy storage Signup and view all the answers

What type of protein would be most important for muscle contraction?

Contractile and motor proteins Signup and view all the answers

Which monomers are used to build proteins?

Amino acids Signup and view all the answers

What is a common cause of starvation?

Prolonged lack of food intake Signup and view all the answers

Which symptom is associated with ketosis?

Fruity odor breath Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes marasmus?

Severe weight loss and stunted growth Signup and view all the answers

What causes lactic acidosis?

Accumulation of lactic acid Signup and view all the answers

What is a symptom of familial hypercholesterolemia?

Xanthomas Signup and view all the answers

Which disorder is characterized by early onset heart disease?

Familial hypercholesterolemia Signup and view all the answers

What is a common cause of obesity?

Excessive caloric intake from lipids Signup and view all the answers

What type of tests are used to diagnose atherosclerosis?

Imaging tests Signup and view all the answers

What determines the tertiary structure of a protein?

Interactions among various side chains R groups Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following proteins is classified as a fibrous protein?

Collagen Signup and view all the answers

What is the main consequence of a single amino acid substitution in hemoglobin?

It results in sickle-cell disease Signup and view all the answers

Quaternary structure is formed by which of the following?

Multiple polypeptide chains Signup and view all the answers

Which type of interaction is NOT involved in determining the tertiary structure?

Peptide bonds Signup and view all the answers

Which disorder is characterized by a lack of carbohydrates leading to metabolic complications?

Ketoacidosis Signup and view all the answers

Which interaction strengthens the protein's structure in tertiary formation?

Disulfide bridges Signup and view all the answers

What symptoms are associated with hypoglycemia?

Weakness and confusion Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Large Biological Molecules

Four main classes of large biological molecules: carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.
Macromolecules are formed by joining small organic molecules, characterized by their large size and thousands of atoms connected by covalent bonds.
Molecular structure directly relates to function.

Macromolecules as Polymers

Polymers are long-chain molecules made of similar building blocks called monomers.
Carbohydrates, proteins, and nucleic acids are primary examples of polymers in biology.

Polymer Synthesis and Breakdown

Dehydration synthesis (condensation reaction) combines monomers by removing a water molecule.
Hydrolysis is the reverse process, breaking polymers into monomers by adding water.
Enzymes act as organic catalysts to accelerate these chemical reactions.

Diversity of Polymers

Cells contain thousands of different macromolecules that vary among and within species.
A small set of monomers can create an immense variety of polymers.

Carbohydrates: Fuel and Structure

Carbohydrates consist of sugars and their polymers, with monosaccharides as the simplest form.
Common monosaccharide: glucose (C6H12O6).
Polysaccharides are formed from linked monosaccharides via glycosidic linkages.
Disaccharides are produced through dehydration reactions joining two monosaccharides.

Polysaccharides

Serve two main roles: storage and structural functions determined by monomer types and glycosidic linkages.
Storage polysaccharides include starch (for plants) and glycogen (for animals).
Structural polysaccharide: cellulose, a key component of plant cell walls with specialized glycosidic linkages.
Chitin provides structural support in exoskeletons of arthropods and fungal cell walls.

Lipids: Diverse Hydrophobic Molecules

Lipids do not form polymers and are primarily hydrophobic due to hydrocarbon composition.
Phospholipids self-assemble in water, forming bilayers crucial for cell membranes.
Steroids, including cholesterol, consist of four fused ring structures and play a role in cell membrane integrity.

Proteins: Multifunctional Polymers

Proteins constitute over 50% of cellular dry mass, serving various functions: structural support, transport, signaling, and catalysis.
Amino acids are monomers that combine to form proteins (polypeptides).
Types of proteins include enzymatic, structural, storage, transport, hormonal, receptor, contractile, and defensive.

Protein Structure

Proteins exhibit four levels of structure: primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary.
Secondary structure includes alpha-helices and beta-pleated sheets formed by hydrogen bonds.
Tertiary structure is formed by interactions among R groups, while quaternary structure involves multiple polypeptide chains.
Changes in DNA sequence can alter protein structure and function, illustrated by sickle-cell disease.

Carbohydrate deficit disorders arise from insufficient carbohydrate intake/metabolism, causing various health issues such as:
- Hypoglycemia: symptoms include weakness and confusion due to excessive insulin or inadequate intake.
- Ketoacidosis: leads to nausea and fruity breath, primarily in diabetics.
- Glycogen Storage Disease: varies in symptoms based on enzyme deficiencies resulting in hypoglycemia.
- Starvation: results in extreme weight loss and muscle wasting.
- Ketosis: marked by fatigue and nausea due to low carbohydrate availability.
- Lactic Acidosis: muscle pain and fatigue from lactic acid accumulation.
- Hypoglycemic Shock: severe blood sugar drop causing confusion and seizures.

Abnormal lipid levels cause cardiovascular and metabolic disorders, including:
- Hyperlipidemia: often asymptomatic; can lead to cardiovascular disease.
- Atherosclerosis: caused by lipid buildup in arterial walls, leading to chest pain.
- Familial Hypercholesterolemia: early heart disease due to genetic factors affecting cholesterol metabolism.
- Obesity: excess body fat linked to high caloric intake and low physical activity.
- Lipid Storage Disease: genetic conditions causing defective lipid metabolism, with varying symptoms.

Diagnosis and Treatment

For carbohydrate disorders: blood tests for glucose levels, dietary management, and enzyme replacement therapy (for GSD).
For lipid disorders: lipid panels and imaging tests for atherosclerosis are key diagnostic tools.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the structure and function of large biological molecules, including carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids. This quiz will help you understand how macromolecules are formed and their importance in living organisms.