D1.1 - The Molecules of Living Systems

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary function of carbohydrates in the body?

To provide insulation

To aid in digestion

To provide energy (correct)

To store genetic information

Which type of carbohydrate is formed by the combination of two simple sugars?

Monosaccharide

Polysaccharide

Oligosaccharide

Disaccharide (correct)

What determines the final shape of a protein?

The length of the protein chain

The type of amino acids present

The interaction and arrangement of R-groups (correct)

The temperature of the surrounding environment

Which macromolecule is primarily responsible for building body tissues and supporting immunity?

Proteins Signup and view all the answers

What defines a monosaccharide?

It contains 3-7 carbon atoms Signup and view all the answers

What process connects monomers to form carbohydrates?

Dehydration synthesis Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following correctly describes vitamins?

Organic compounds that help enzymes function Signup and view all the answers

What are the two structural components of fats?

Glycerol and fatty acids Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes saturated fatty acids from unsaturated fatty acids?

Saturated fatty acids contain no double bonds. Signup and view all the answers

Which polysaccharide is known to be difficult for the human body to break down?

Cellulose Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of minerals within the body?

To assist with chemical reactions Signup and view all the answers

Which type of lipid remains solid at room temperature?

Saturated fatty acids Signup and view all the answers

In which form do animals primarily store carbohydrates?

Glycogen Signup and view all the answers

In which of the following is keratin primarily involved?

Structural support in nails and hair Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of lipids in the body?

Long-term energy storage Signup and view all the answers

Where are carbohydrates primarily found?

Plant-based foods Signup and view all the answers

What happens to carbohydrates that are not immediately used by the body?

They are stored as glycogen Signup and view all the answers

What process converts unsaturated fats into saturated fats?

Hydrogenation Signup and view all the answers

What do proteins NOT primarily provide for our cells?

Energy Signup and view all the answers

Which type of bonds connect amino acids in proteins?

Peptide bonds Signup and view all the answers

How many amino acids are essential and must be obtained through diet?

8 Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of inhibitors in enzymatic reactions?

To reduce the enzyme's ability to bond to a substrate Signup and view all the answers

How do competitive inhibitors function in enzymatic reactions?

By blocking the active site and competing with the substrate Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately describes non-competitive inhibitors?

They change the shape of the enzyme without binding at the active site Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of enzymes as protein catalysts?

They lower activation energy and allow reactions to proceed at body temperature Signup and view all the answers

What happens to enzyme activity as more product is created by an enzymatic reaction?

Enzyme activity decreases as product binds to the active site Signup and view all the answers

What is an enzyme primarily classified as?

A protein catalyst Signup and view all the answers

Which model describes how an enzyme and substrate fit together perfectly?

Lock and key model Signup and view all the answers

What effect does increasing substrate concentration have on enzyme activity?

Increases activity until saturation Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of a cofactor in enzyme activity?

It helps an enzyme combine with a substrate Signup and view all the answers

What is the optimal pH range for most human enzymes?

6-8 Signup and view all the answers

Which term describes the specific area of an enzyme that combines with the substrate?

Active site Signup and view all the answers

What type of molecule is a coenzyme typically derived from?

Vitamins Signup and view all the answers

What happens to an enzyme at temperatures beyond its optimal range?

It denatures and loses function Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

D1.1 - Molecules of Living Systems

Molecules of living systems are called macromolecules
The majority of compounds found in food fall into three categories—carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins
Macromolecules are made of smaller subunits
Macromolecules are assembled through dehydration synthesis
Macromolecules are broken down through hydrolysis
Carbohydrates are primarily for providing energy for the body
Carbohydrates are necessary for energy and found in plant-based foods (fruits, vegetables, grains)
Carbohydrates are made up of carbon (C), oxygen (O), and hydrogen (H)
They contain two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom for every carbon atom
Carbohydrates can be classified as monosaccharides, disaccharides, or polysaccharides
Monosaccharides have 3-7 carbon atoms (e.g., fructose, glucose, galactose)
Disaccharides are made up of two simple sugars linked together through dehydration synthesis (e.g., sucrose, maltose, lactose)
Polysaccharides are long chains of simple sugars (e.g., starch, cellulose)
Cellulose is difficult to break down
Animals store carbohydrates in the form of glycogen
Over 50% of organic carbon in biosphere is tied up as cellulose

Lipids

Lipids consist of glycerol (3-carbon chain) and fatty acids
Fats are lipids composed of glycerol and saturated fatty acids, solid at room temperature
Oils are lipids composed of glycerol and unsaturated fatty acids, liquid at room temperature
Lipids are insoluble in water
Lipids are found in foods containing animal- or plant-based oils/fats
Function as long-term energy storage molecules
Other lipids (phospholipids) form membranes that separate cells from their internal environment
Some lipids carry vitamins, are steroids, and play a role in hormone synthesis
Saturated fatty acids have only single carbon-carbon bonds, have maximum hydrogen, and are solid at room temperature (e.g. butter)
Unsaturated fatty acids have at least one double carbon-carbon bond, have less hydrogen, and are liquid at room temperature (e.g. oil)
Hydrogenation converts unsaturated fats into saturated fats by breaking double bonds and adding hydrogen

Proteins

Proteins are formed by amino acid molecules bonded together in long chains by peptide bonds
Proteins do not provide energy for our cells.
Proteins play many vital functions in our bodies including forming structural components, repairing damage, speeding up chemical reactions (enzymes) and defending against disease (antibodies)
There are 20 amino acids and 8 must be obtained through eating, the rest are synthesized
Proteins are found in meat, eggs, dairy products, and legumes
Solubility of proteins is determined by the type of R-group, charged attract water and are soluble
Proteins have different structures from primary to quaternary structure
Lysozyme is an enzyme found in nasal fluid and tears, killing bacteria.
Integrin creates connections between structures inside and outside the cell
Collagen is a structural protein in tendons, ligaments, blood vessels and skin
Hemoglobin allows red blood cells to carry oxygen.

Vitamins and Minerals

Vitamins are organic compounds that often help enzymes function and are needed in small amounts for tissue development, growth, and resistance to disease
Examples include Vitamin D and Vitamin B12
Minerals are inorganic compounds needed in small amounts by the body that help build bones, cartilage, and chemical reactions
Potassium is an example of a mineral found in bananas

Enzymes

Enzymes are protein catalysts that permit chemical reactions to process at low temperatures
Enzymes reduce the energy required to react
Enzymes are not used up in the reaction
The name of the enzyme identifies the molecule it targets (e.g., lactase targets lactose)
Two types of models for enzymes, lock-and-key and induced fit
Factors influencing enzymes include temperature, pH, and substrate concentration
Inhibitors attach to enzymes, reducing their ability to bond to substrates (competitive and non-competitive)

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Description

Explore the essential molecules of living systems in this quiz focused on macromolecules like carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins. Understand how these macromolecules are formed and broken down, and their vital roles in providing energy and structure to organisms. Perfect for students looking to solidify their knowledge of biological compounds.