Biology Chapter on Organic Molecules

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary function of carbohydrates in biological systems?

To provide structural materials and energy storage (correct)

To function mainly in genetic information storage

To serve as the primary source of nitrogen

To act solely as catalysts in chemical reactions

Which term refers to single sugar units that are the simplest form of carbohydrates?

Polysaccharides

Oligosaccharides

Monosaccharides (correct)

Disaccharides

What type of carbohydrate is sucrose classified as?

Monosaccharide

Oligosaccharide (correct)

Polysaccharide

Starch

What is the ratio of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen in carbohydrates?

1:2:1 Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a nitrogen-containing polysaccharide that strengthens the exoskeleton of certain animals?

Chitin Signup and view all the answers

What is the main product of a condensation reaction?

Water Signup and view all the answers

Which type of reaction is responsible for splitting larger molecules into smaller ones?

Hydrolysis Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes monomers in the context of larger molecules?

They are subunits that build polymers. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a function of lipids in the body?

Serving as the main energy reservoir Signup and view all the answers

Which fatty acids must be obtained through diet and are classified as essential?

Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids Signup and view all the answers

What is the unique characteristic of cholesterol compared to other lipids?

It contains no fatty acid tail. Signup and view all the answers

How do cells produce different proteins?

By varying the sequence of amino acids Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of a peptide bond in protein synthesis?

To link amino acids together Signup and view all the answers

What effect does a single amino acid change in a beta chain of hemoglobin have in sickle cell anemia?

It alters the shape of hemoglobin and deforms red blood cells. Signup and view all the answers

Which factors are known to disrupt the hydrogen bonds that maintain a protein's shape?

Changes in temperature or pH levels. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of ATP in cellular functions?

To act as an energy carrier through phosphate-group transfer. Signup and view all the answers

What important feature of proteins is directly related to their function?

Their amino acid sequence. Signup and view all the answers

What constitutes the primary structure of DNA?

Two chains of nucleotides twisted into a double helix. Signup and view all the answers

What is the structural component of RNA that differentiates it from DNA?

The existence of uracil in place of thymine. Signup and view all the answers

Why are nucleotides considered 'building blocks' of nucleic acids?

They are subunits that link together to form nucleic acids like DNA and RNA. Signup and view all the answers

In sickle cell anemia, what is the consequence of hemoglobin molecules clumping together?

Deformation of the red blood cells. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Carbon - The Stuff of Life

Organic molecules are complex molecules built on a framework of carbon atoms.
Organic molecules include carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.

From Structure to Function

The function of organic molecules depends on their structure.
Different arrangements of building blocks (monomers) within carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids lead to different complex molecules.

Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates are the most plentiful biological molecule in the biosphere.
Cells use carbohydrates as structural materials and for stored or instant energy.
Carbohydrates consist of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen in a 1:2:1 ratio.

Types of Carbohydrates

Monosaccharides are the simplest carbohydrates, with backbones of 5 or 6 carbons (e.g., glucose).
Oligosaccharides are short chains of monosaccharides (e.g., sucrose).
Polysaccharides are long chains of monosaccharides (e.g., cellulose, starch, glycogen).

Lipids

Lipids function as the body’s major energy reservoir and as the structural foundation of cell membranes.
Lipids are fatty, oily, or waxy organic compounds that are insoluble in water.

Fatty Acids

Many lipids incorporate fatty acids.
Fatty acids are simple organic compounds with a carboxyl group joined to a backbone of 4 to 36 carbon atoms.
Essential fatty acids (e.g., Omega-3 and Omega-6) are not made by the body and must be obtained from food.

Triglycerides

Triglycerides are fats with three fatty acid tails.

Phospholipids

Phospholipids are similar to triglycerides but have one fatty acid replaced with a phosphate group.
Phospholipids are key components of cell membranes.

Waxes

Waxes are complex mixtures with long fatty-acid tails bonded to long-chain alcohols or carbon rings.
Waxes provide a protective, water-repellant covering.

Cholesterol

Cholesterol is a lipid without a fatty acid tail.
It plays a role in cell membrane structure and hormone synthesis.

Proteins

Proteins are the most diverse biological molecule.
Proteins can be structural, nutritious, enzymes, transporters, communicators, or defense molecules.
Cells build thousands of different proteins by stringing together amino acids in different orders.

Amino Acids

Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins.
Each amino acid has a central carbon atom bonded to an amino group (-NH2), a carboxyl group (-COOH), a hydrogen atom, and a side chain (R-group) that varies among the 20 common amino acids.

Protein Structure

The sequence of amino acids in a polypeptide chain determines its structure and function.
A protein's shape is crucial for its function.

Denaturation

Denaturation occurs when a protein loses its shape and function.
Heat, changes in pH, salts, and detergents can cause denaturation.

Nucleic Acids

Some nucleotides are subunits of nucleic acids (DNA and RNA).
Some nucleotides have roles in metabolism.

Nucleotides

Nucleotides are small organic molecules with a sugar with a five-carbon ring, a nitrogen-containing base, and one or more phosphate groups.
ATP is an important nucleotide with three phosphate groups involved in energy transfer.

RNA

RNA is involved in protein synthesis.
RNA contains four kinds of nucleotide monomers, including ATP.

DNA

DNA is a double helix composed of two chains of nucleotides held together by hydrogen bonds.
DNA carries all inherited information necessary to build an organism, coded in the order of nucleotide bases.

DNA Structure

The two strands of DNA run antiparallel to each other.
Each strand has a 5' end and a 3' end.
The nitrogenous bases pair specifically: adenine (A) with thymine (T) and guanine (G) with cytosine (C).

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Description

Explore the essential components of life in this quiz on organic molecules, including carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids. Understand how the structure of these molecules dictates their function and importance in biological systems. Test your knowledge of the different types of carbohydrates and their roles within living organisms.