Biology: Carbohydrates and Proteins

Questions and Answers

What is the general composition of carbohydrates?

Carbohydrates are a group of molecules containing carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen.

What is the process called when monomers join to form polymers?

Dehydration synthesis

What is an example of a disaccharide?

Sucrose

What are the three main types of biomolecules that contain carbon?

Carbohydrates, proteins, and nucleic acids Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the sugar molecule that is a component of nucleic acids?

Ribose Signup and view all the answers

What is the general term for the polymers of sugars?

Carbohydrates Signup and view all the answers

What is the name given to the long chains of amino acids that are formed by dehydration synthesis?

Polypeptides Signup and view all the answers

What are the monomers that make up nucleic acids?

Nucleotides Signup and view all the answers

What is dehydration synthesis, and what is its role in the formation of proteins?

Dehydration synthesis is a chemical reaction that removes a water molecule from two monomers to join them together. In the case of proteins, this process is used to join amino acids together to form polypeptides. Signup and view all the answers

What are the six major functions of proteins in living organisms?

The six major functions of proteins are: enzyme catalysis, defense, transport, structural support, motion, and regulation. Some proteins also have a role in storage. Signup and view all the answers

What type of organic molecule is a ribosome?

Ribosomes are composed of RNA and protein. Signup and view all the answers

What are the four main types of organic molecules found in living organisms?

The four main types of organic molecules found in living organisms are carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Carbohydrates

Composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen; include sugars and their polymers.
Monomers join through dehydration synthesis to form carbohydrates; example: sucrose is a disaccharide.
Monosaccharides include ribose, glucose, and fructose, serving as energy storage.

Proteins

Polymers formed from amino acid monomers.
Functions include: enzyme catalysis, defense, transport, structural support, motion, regulation, and storage.
Dehydration synthesis binds two amino acids to form a dipeptide; a long chain of amino acids is referred to as a polypeptide.

Nucleic Acids

Comprised of nucleotide monomers.
Essential for storing and transferring genetic information.

Lipids

Another category of macromolecules contributing to cell structure and energy storage.

Macromolecules

Four main types: carbohydrates, nucleic acids, proteins, and lipids.
Constructed from smaller units called monomers, forming larger polymers.

Water

Acts as a key solvent for life, facilitating the dissolution of hydrophilic substances like ions and polar molecules.
The polarity of water enhances its ability to dissolve a wide range of biologically important compounds.

Biological Molecules

Carbon forms the backbone of biological molecules, connecting to hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur.
Functional groups include hydroxyl, carbonyl, carboxyl, amino, sulfhydryl, and phosphate, contributing to the properties and reactivity of organic compounds.