Biology Chapter 5 Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What is a monomer?

A monomer is a chemical subunit (the beads of the chain).

What is a polymer?

A polymer is a large molecule consisting of long chains of similar subunits.

How do polymers form?

Polymers form by dehydration synthesis.

How are polymers broken down?

Polymers are broken down by hydrolysis. Signup and view all the answers

What is an enzyme?

Specialized macromolecules that speed up chemical reactions. Signup and view all the answers

What are the four classes of molecules?

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

Which class is technically not a macromolecule or a polymer?

Lipids. Signup and view all the answers

What are some key differences between a saturated fat and an unsaturated fat?

Saturated fats have single bonds and are solid at room temperature; unsaturated fats have double bonds and are liquid. Signup and view all the answers

What are the four levels of protein structure?

An amino group, a carboxyl group, a hydrogen atom, and a 'R' group. Signup and view all the answers

What types of bonds/interactions are important at the secondary and tertiary levels of protein structure?

Hydrogen bonds and how 'R' groups interact. Signup and view all the answers

What are chaperonines?

Protein molecules that assist in the proper folding of other proteins. Signup and view all the answers

Why is it crucial that proteins fold the correct way?

Because misfolded proteins can contribute to disease formation. Signup and view all the answers

What is the process of protein unfolding called?

Denaturation. Signup and view all the answers

What can cause a protein to unfold?

pH too high or too low, temperature too high or too low, or when conditions are out of normal range for the cell. Signup and view all the answers

What is the 'backbone' of nucleic acids?

Sugar and phosphate molecules bonded together. Signup and view all the answers

How do DNA and RNA differ?

RNA has a ribose sugar instead of a deoxyribose sugar like DNA; RNA nucleotides have a uracil base instead of thymine. Signup and view all the answers

What are key characteristics of DNA's structure?

DNA shape of double helix linked by bases, 4 bases A-T, G-C, and DNA controls genetics on the molecular level. Signup and view all the answers

What is Chargaff's rule?

DNA from any cell of all organisms should have a 1:1 ratio of pyrimidine and purine bases. Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between a pyrimidine base and a purine base?

Purine bases are double ring and pyrimidine bases are single ring. Signup and view all the answers

Which bases are purines and which are pyrimidines?

Purines are A & G and pyrimidines are C & T. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Monomers and Polymers

A monomer is a chemical subunit that serves as a building block for larger molecules.
A polymer consists of long chains of similar monomer subunits, creating large molecules.

Polymer Formation and Breakdown

Polymers form through dehydration synthesis, a reaction that removes water to connect monomers.
Polymers are broken down by hydrolysis, which involves adding water to break chemical bonds.

Enzymes

Enzymes are specialized macromolecules that accelerate chemical reactions in biological processes.

Classes of Biological Molecules

The four major classes of biological molecules are carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids.
Each class has distinct properties and functions, linked by their respective monomers and polymers.

Lipids

Lipids are unique as they are not classified as macromolecules or polymers.

Fats: Saturated vs Unsaturated

Saturated fats contain only single bonds between carbon atoms and are solid at room temperature.
Unsaturated fats have at least one double bond and are usually liquid at room temperature.

Protein Structure

Proteins have four structural levels: primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary.
Essential components include an amino group, carboxyl group, hydrogen atom, and "R" group.

Protein Interactions

At the secondary and tertiary levels, hydrogen bonds and interactions between "R" groups are critical for maintaining structure.

Chaperonines

Chaperonines are proteins that assist in the correct folding of other proteins, protecting them from harmful conditions.

Importance of Proper Folding

Proper protein folding is crucial as misfolded proteins can lead to diseases.

Protein Denaturation

The process of protein unfolding is called denaturation; factors include inappropriate pH levels and extreme temperatures.

Nucleic Acids Structure

The backbone of nucleic acids consists of sugar and phosphate molecules linked together.

Differences Between DNA and RNA

RNA has ribose sugar, whereas DNA has deoxyribose sugar.
RNA nucleotides include uracil instead of thymine as found in DNA.

DNA Characteristics

DNA typically has a double helix structure stabilized by base pairing.
Bases pair as A-T and G-C, crucial for genetic information storage.

Chargaff's Rule

Chargaff's rule states that in DNA, there is a 1:1 ratio of pyrimidine to purine bases in any organism.

Base Structures

Pyrimidine bases are characterized by a single ring structure, while purine bases have a double ring structure.
Purines include adenine (A) and guanine (G), while pyrimidines include cytosine (C) and thymine (T).

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Description

Test your knowledge on the fundamental concepts of monomers and polymers in Biology Chapter 5. This quiz includes definitions and processes like dehydration synthesis and hydrolysis that are crucial for understanding how these molecules interact and form. Perfect for students looking to reinforce their understanding of biomolecules.