Biology Macromolecules and Carbohydrates Quiz

Macromolecules

• Four major macromolecules: Proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids.
• Organic molecules are typically composed of carbon atoms bonded to other atoms like hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen.
• Monomers are small molecules that combine to form polymers.
• Four main types of monomers: Sugars, amino acids, fatty acids, and nucleotides.
• Polymers are large molecules formed from bonded monomers.
• Dehydration synthesis joins molecules by removing water.
• Hydrolysis breaks down molecules by adding water.

Carbohydrates

• Carbohydrates are organic compounds like sugars and starches.
• Elements: Carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen (CHO).
• Function: Energy storage.
• Monomers: Monosaccharides (e.g., glucose, fructose).
• Polymers: Starch (plant energy storage), glycogen (animal energy storage), cellulose (plant structural support), chitin (structural support in exoskeletons and fungi).
• Functions of carbohydrate polymers: Starch stores energy in plants; glycogen stores glucose in animals; cellulose provides structural support in plants; chitin provides structural support in arthropod exoskeletons and fungal cell walls.

Lipids

• Lipids include fatty, waxy, and oily compounds.
• Insoluble in water, soluble in organic solvents.
• Elements: Carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen (CHO).
• Monomers: Glycerol and three fatty acids.
• Triglycerides: Glycerol bonded to three fatty acids; store unused calories and provide energy.
• Phospholipids: Glycerol, fatty acid chain, and phosphate group; form cell membranes.
• Cholesterol: Four carbon rings, short tail, hydroxyl group; builds cell membranes, produces hormones, bile acids, and vitamin D.

Proteins

• Monomers: Amino acids.
• Amino acids: Organic molecules that build proteins.
• Polypeptides: Long chains of amino acids linked by peptide bonds; form the basis of proteins.
• Protein functions: Structural support, regulating gene expression, transporting molecules (e.g., oxygen), and defending against disease (e.g., antibodies).
• Protein structure: Long chains of amino acids folded into specific three-dimensional shapes.
• Enzymes: Proteins that catalyze chemical reactions without being changed.
• Denatured enzyme: Enzyme with altered structure due to heat or chemicals; loses function.
• Enzyme-substrate complex: Substrate binds to the enzyme's active site, facilitating a reaction.
• Lock-and-key model vs. induced-fit model: Lock-and-key suggests a precise fit, while induced-fit proposes the enzyme changes shape.

Nucleic Acids

• Monomers: Nitrogen-containing base, sugar (ribose or deoxyribose), and a phosphate group.
• DNA: Carrier of genetic information (double helix); sugar-phosphate backbone, nitrogenous base pairs (A-T, G-C).
• RNA: Carries genetic information from DNA to ribosomes (single-stranded); ribose sugar, nitrogenous bases (A-U, G-C).

Cell Theory

• Three principles: All living things are made of one or more cells; the cell is the basic unit of structure and function; all cells arise from pre-existing cells.
• Contributors: Robert Hooke, Antonie van Leeuwenhoek, Matthias Schleiden, Theodor Schwann, and Rudolf Virchow.
• Found in all cells: Ribosomes (protein synthesis).
• Unique to cells: Bacterial plasmids, animal lysosomes, plant chloroplasts and central vacuoles.

Organelle Functions (brief)

• Ribosomes: Protein synthesis.
• Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER): Protein and lipid synthesis, transport.
• Golgi Apparatus: Modifies, sorts, and packages proteins.
• Nucleus: Contains DNA (control center).
• Lysosomes: Breakdown waste materials.

Test your knowledge on the four major macromolecules: proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids. This quiz focuses on their structures, functions, and monomers, specifically carbohydrates and their role in energy storage in living organisms. Challenge yourself to understand the processes of dehydration synthesis and hydrolysis.