Biology Chapter on Macromolecules

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Questions and Answers

Which process is responsible for synthesizing macromolecules from smaller molecules?

Condensation reaction (correct)

Dehydration synthesis (correct)

Hydrolysis

Glycolysis

What is the primary storage form of carbohydrates in plants?

Glucose

Cellulose

Pectin

Starch (correct)

Which of the following proteins has an elongated shape and provides structural support?

Collagen (correct)

Albumin

Hemoglobin

Myosin

Which macromolecule is primarily built from amino acids?

Proteins Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a common type of lipid found in the body?

Triglycerides Signup and view all the answers

What bond forms between amino acids in a polypeptide chain?

Peptide bond Signup and view all the answers

Which polysaccharide is known for being indigestible to most organisms?

Cellulose Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following enzymes is responsible for digesting cellulose?

Cellulase Signup and view all the answers

What type of cell division results in two diploid daughter cells?

Mitosis Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of osmosis?

Diffusion of water across a selectively permeable membrane Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following processes does NOT require energy?

Facilitated Diffusion Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about meiosis is correct?

It results in the reduction of chromosome number from 46 to 23. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of ATP in active transport?

It provides energy for the transport of substances against their concentration gradient. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between mitosis and meiosis in terms of chromosome number?

Mitosis maintains chromosome number, meiosis reduces it. Signup and view all the answers

Which molecule is directly involved in the synthesis of proteins during the cell cycle?

RNA Signup and view all the answers

What primarily determines the movement of solutes during diffusion?

Concentration gradient Signup and view all the answers

What role do transport proteins play in the body?

They facilitate the movement of certain molecules. Signup and view all the answers

How do Chargaff's rules relate to the composition of DNA?

The amount of adenine equals the amount of thymine. Signup and view all the answers

What is a distinguishing feature of RNA compared to DNA?

RNA consists of uracil instead of thymine. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of proteins are responsible for muscle movement?

Contractile proteins Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of storage proteins?

They store nutrients or amino acids. Signup and view all the answers

In the DNA structure, which bases are complementary to each other?

Cytosine and Guanine Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of ribonucleic acid (RNA)?

It uses ribose as its sugar. Signup and view all the answers

Which protein category includes enzymes that facilitate biochemical reactions?

Enzymatic proteins Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Cell Division

Cell division is a fundamental process in all living organisms, responsible for growth, repair, and reproduction.

Cell Cycle

The cell cycle is a series of events that a cell goes through as it grows and divides.
Interphase is the non-dividing phase of the cell cycle. Interphase includes G1, S, and G2 phases.
G1 phase (10-12 hours): Cell grows in size, organelles replicate.
S phase (6-8 hours): Replication of DNA, synthesis of proteins associated with DNA.
G2 phase (2-4 hours): Synthesis of proteins associated with mitosis.

Mitosis

Mitosis is a type of cell division that produces two identical diploid daughter cells from a single diploid parent cell.
Maintains the chromosome number (e.g., 46 chromosomes in humans remain 46 chromosomes).
Maintains the DNA content (e.g., 2n remains 2n).

Meiosis

Meiosis is a type of cell division that produces four haploid daughter cells from a single diploid parent cell.
Reduces the chromosome number (e.g., 46 chromosomes in humans to 23 chromosomes).
Reduces the DNA content (e.g., 2n to 1n).

Gametes

Gametes are reproductive cells (sex cells) that participate in fertilization to form a new organism.
Spermatocytes are sperm cells.
Oocytes are eggs before maturation.

Transport Mechanisms

Various mechanisms allow substances to move in and out of cells.

Passive Transport

Passive transport does not require energy.
This includes diffusion and osmosis.

Diffusion

The movement of solutes from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration in a solution.

Osmosis

The diffusion of water (solvent) across a selectively permeable membrane, such as a plasma membrane.

Active Transport

Active transport requires energy (ATP).
It moves substances against their concentration gradient, from low to high concentration.

Biomolecules

Biomolecules are the fundamental components of organisms.

Macromolecules

Macromolecules are large molecules built from smaller subunits.
Synthesis of macromolecules requires energy.
Small molecules are joined by covalent bonds like pearls on a string.

Monosaccharides

Monosaccharides are the simplest form of carbohydrates (sugars).
Glucose is a monosaccharide.

Polysaccharides

Polysaccharides are complex carbohydrates formed from multiple linked monosaccharides.
Starch and cellulose are two important polysaccharides found in plants.
Both are composed of long chains of glucose.
Cellulose is a linear polymer of glucose subunits.
Cellulose is not soluble and completely indigestible to many organisms.
Cellulase is the enzyme that digests cellulose.
Pectin is found in plant tissues, especially fruits, and helps bind water and sugar to form viscous solutions or gels.

Lipids

Lipids are relatively insoluble in water.
Includes triglycerides, phospholipids, and steroids.

Fats

Fats are a major type of lipid.
Fats are broken down by hydrolysis reactions in cells to release energy for use by cells.

Triglycerides

Triglycerides are called neutral fats or simple fats.
Synthesized from a glycerol and three fatty acids.

Amino Acids

Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins.
Each consists of a central carbon atom attached to a hydrogen atom, an amino group (-NH₂), a carboxyl group (-COOH), and a unique side chain (R group).

Peptide Bonds

Peptide bonds join amino acids to form a polypeptide, which is a large macromolecule.

Protein Types

Globular proteins: Most common protein types, have folded ball-like structures such as alpha globulin, hemoglobin, carboxypeptidase, Protein S, pepsin
Fibrous proteins: Proteins with elongated shapes, provide structural support for cells and tissues, such as actin, collagen, elastin, keratin, and myosin.

Protein Functions

Proteins have diverse functions, including transport, hormonal functions, contractile functions, and storage functions.

Nucleic Acids

Nucleic acids are essential biomolecules that store and transmit genetic information.
Include DNA and RNA.

DNA

DNA is a double-stranded molecule that carries genetic information in the form of a sequence of nucleotides.
Nucleotides consist of a phosphate group, a deoxyribose sugar, and a nitrogenous base.
Nitrogenous bases in DNA are adenine (A), thymine (T), cytosine (C), and guanine (G).
Chargaff's rules: Amount of A=T and amount of G=C.

RNA

RNA is a single-stranded molecule that plays a crucial role in protein synthesis.
Nucleotides consist of a phosphate group, a ribose sugar, and a nitrogenous base.
Nitrogenous bases in RNA are adenine (A), uracil (U), cytosine (C), and guanine (G).

ATP-ADP Cycle

ATP is the main energy currency in cells.
The ATP-ADP cycle is a continuous process of ATP synthesis and hydrolysis.

Photosynthesis

Photosynthesis is the process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy (glucose).
The process uses carbon dioxide, water, and sunlight to produce glucose and oxygen.
Light-dependent reactions occur in the thylakoids.
Light-independent reactions (Calvin cycle) occur in the stroma.
Chlorophyll is a green pigment that absorbs light energy.
Photosynthesis occurs in chloroplasts.
The absorption spectrum measures the absorption of light by chlorophyll.

Photorespiration

Photorespiration is a process where plants in bright sunlight on hot days lose their energy use for photosynthesis but absorb light energy to produce no food.

Cellular Respiration

Cellular respiration is the process by which cells release energy from organic molecules (such as glucose) in the presence of oxygen.
Glycolysis
The first step of cellular respiration involves breaking down glucose into two pyruvate molecules.
Glycolysis produces 2 ATP and 2 NADH.
Kreb's Cycle (Citric Acid Cycle)
Pyruvate molecules are converted to acetyl-CoA which enter the Kreb cycle.
The Kreb Cycle occurs in the mitochondria.
The Kreb Cycle produces 2 ATP, 8 NADH, and 2 FADH, and releases carbon dioxide.
Electron Transport Chain
The Electron Transport contains proteins embedded in the inner mitochondrial membrane.
The ETC utilizes energy from NADH and FADH to pump proteins across the membrane, creating an electrochemical gradient.
ATP synthase utilizes the gradient energy to produces ATP.
The final electron acceptor is molecular oxygen forming water.

Transpiration

Transpiration is the process where plants lose water primarily through leaf stomata.
Environmental factors like temperature, humidity, and wind affect the rate of transpiration.

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Description

Test your knowledge on macromolecules with this quiz. Explore topics such as carbohydrate storage in plants, protein structures, and the types of lipids in the body. Challenge yourself to answer questions about essential biochemical processes and structures.