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Questions and Answers
What are the building blocks of proteins?
What are the building blocks of proteins?
Which elements primarily make up the organic compounds in living organisms?
Which elements primarily make up the organic compounds in living organisms?
What is the primary function of enzymes in biological systems?
What is the primary function of enzymes in biological systems?
Which function is NOT associated with proteins?
Which function is NOT associated with proteins?
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What percentage of the weight of living organisms is composed of hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon?
What percentage of the weight of living organisms is composed of hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon?
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Which sugar is present in RNA?
Which sugar is present in RNA?
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What is the primary role of DNA in living organisms?
What is the primary role of DNA in living organisms?
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What type of nucleic acid is single-stranded?
What type of nucleic acid is single-stranded?
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What are the primary components of carbohydrates?
What are the primary components of carbohydrates?
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Which option describes a monosaccharide?
Which option describes a monosaccharide?
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Which nitrogenous base is found in RNA but not in DNA?
Which nitrogenous base is found in RNA but not in DNA?
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What is true about the strands of DNA?
What is true about the strands of DNA?
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What function do carbohydrates primarily serve in the body?
What function do carbohydrates primarily serve in the body?
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What are disaccharides primarily composed of?
What are disaccharides primarily composed of?
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Which of the following is an example of a polysaccharide?
Which of the following is an example of a polysaccharide?
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What role do lipids serve in the body?
What role do lipids serve in the body?
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What is the main component of the cell membrane?
What is the main component of the cell membrane?
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What are triglycerides composed of?
What are triglycerides composed of?
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Which type of lipid has a backbone of sphingoid bases?
Which type of lipid has a backbone of sphingoid bases?
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Which carbohydrate is known as corn sugar?
Which carbohydrate is known as corn sugar?
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What is cellulose primarily known for?
What is cellulose primarily known for?
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Study Notes
Chemical Basis of Life
- Living organisms are composed of hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon.
- 99% of living matter is these four elements.
- Carbon atoms bond together with hydrogen atoms.
Organic Compounds
- Proteins, enzymes, nucleic acids (RNA and DNA), carbohydrates, and lipids are organic compounds.
Essential Elements in the Body
- 96% of the human body is composed of oxygen, carbon, hydrogen, and nitrogen.
- Other elements, such as calcium, phosphorus, potassium, and sulfur, are also present in smaller amounts.
Proteins (CHON)
- Proteins are the most abundant organic compounds in living cells.
- They are the fundamental components of cell protoplasm.
- Functions:
- Essential for building and repairing body cells and tissues.
- Act as enzymes to speed up the construction and repair of tissues.
- Contribute to individual differences.
- Function as transport molecules and provide protection as antibodies.
Amino Acids (Building Blocks of Proteins)
- Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins.
- Essential amino acids cannot be synthesized by the body and must be obtained through food.
- Nonessential amino acids can be synthesized by the body.
Enzymes
- Enzymes are special proteins that act as catalysts.
- They speed up chemical reactions without being consumed in the process.
- Example:
- Salivary amylase breaks down starch into simple sugars in minutes.
- Starch breaks down into simple sugars over longer time in high temperature and acidic environments.
Enzymes and the Body
- Enzymes play a crucial role in digestion, allowing the body to break down food into usable components.
- Enzymes are needed for every system in the body such as heptic, circulatory, renal, nervous, cardiac, endocrine, neurologic, lymphatic and reproductive.
- They are also essential for building and maintaining skin, bone, and muscle tissue.
Nucleic Acid (RNA and DNA)
- Nucleic acids are complex organic molecules composed of carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, and phosphorus.
- DNA serves as the genetic material of all living things.
- DNA provides instructions for making proteins and enzymes.
- RNA is synthesized from DNA and plays a critical role in protein synthesis.
- DNA and RNA control the cell's chemical activities.
Carbohydrates
- Carbohydrates are organic compounds made of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen (in a 1:2:1 ratio).
- They are the primary energy source for organisms.
- Types:
- Monosaccharides (single sugar units): glucose, fructose, galactose
- Disaccharides (double sugar units): sucrose, lactose, maltose
- Polysaccharides (multiple sugar units): starch, glycogen, cellulose
Roles of Carbohydrates
- Source for other molecules.
- Energy storage (starch, cellulose, glycogen).
- Primary energy source for the body.
- Component in structural components of cells.
Lipids
- Lipids are another major class of organic compounds in living cells.
- They include fats and fat-like molecules which are insoluble in water.
- Functions: energy storage, protection, structural components of cell membranes, and signaling.
- Types: triglycerides, phospholipids, steroids, and waxes.
- Roles:
- High-energy food source.
- Thermal insulation for animals.
- Structural component of cell membranes.
- Building blocks for various steroids.
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Description
Test your knowledge on the chemical basis of life with this quiz. Explore the essential elements that make up living organisms, organic compounds, and the role of proteins and amino acids in biological systems. Perfect for biology students wanting to reinforce their understanding of these fundamental concepts.