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Questions and Answers
What is the primary function of carbohydrates in biological systems?
What is the primary function of carbohydrates in biological systems?
Which term refers to single sugar units that are the simplest form of carbohydrates?
Which term refers to single sugar units that are the simplest form of carbohydrates?
What type of carbohydrate is sucrose classified as?
What type of carbohydrate is sucrose classified as?
What is the ratio of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen in carbohydrates?
What is the ratio of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen in carbohydrates?
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Which of the following is a nitrogen-containing polysaccharide that strengthens the exoskeleton of certain animals?
Which of the following is a nitrogen-containing polysaccharide that strengthens the exoskeleton of certain animals?
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What is the main product of a condensation reaction?
What is the main product of a condensation reaction?
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Which type of reaction is responsible for splitting larger molecules into smaller ones?
Which type of reaction is responsible for splitting larger molecules into smaller ones?
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What characterizes monomers in the context of larger molecules?
What characterizes monomers in the context of larger molecules?
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Which of the following is a function of lipids in the body?
Which of the following is a function of lipids in the body?
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Which fatty acids must be obtained through diet and are classified as essential?
Which fatty acids must be obtained through diet and are classified as essential?
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What is the unique characteristic of cholesterol compared to other lipids?
What is the unique characteristic of cholesterol compared to other lipids?
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How do cells produce different proteins?
How do cells produce different proteins?
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What is the role of a peptide bond in protein synthesis?
What is the role of a peptide bond in protein synthesis?
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What effect does a single amino acid change in a beta chain of hemoglobin have in sickle cell anemia?
What effect does a single amino acid change in a beta chain of hemoglobin have in sickle cell anemia?
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Which factors are known to disrupt the hydrogen bonds that maintain a protein's shape?
Which factors are known to disrupt the hydrogen bonds that maintain a protein's shape?
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What is the primary role of ATP in cellular functions?
What is the primary role of ATP in cellular functions?
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What important feature of proteins is directly related to their function?
What important feature of proteins is directly related to their function?
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What constitutes the primary structure of DNA?
What constitutes the primary structure of DNA?
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What is the structural component of RNA that differentiates it from DNA?
What is the structural component of RNA that differentiates it from DNA?
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Why are nucleotides considered 'building blocks' of nucleic acids?
Why are nucleotides considered 'building blocks' of nucleic acids?
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In sickle cell anemia, what is the consequence of hemoglobin molecules clumping together?
In sickle cell anemia, what is the consequence of hemoglobin molecules clumping together?
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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.
