Biology Polymers and Monomers Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What characterizes a cis-isomer in fatty acids?

It is always solid at room temperature.

It has a double bond without any bends.

It is bent or 'kinked,' preventing tight packing. (correct)

It is linear and allows tight packing.

What is a key characteristic of trans-fatty acids?

They are liquid at room temperature.

They contain multiple kinks in their structure.

They are created during commercial food production. (correct)

They are primarily made in the liver.

Which statement about triglycerides is correct?

They are synthesized from fatty acids alone.

They are primarily found in the cell membrane.

They are immediately usable for energy without modification.

They serve as a major stored form of fat. (correct)

What happens during lipolysis?

Triglycerides are broken down into fatty acids and glycerol. Signup and view all the answers

Which part of a phospholipid is hydrophilic?

The phosphate group and its attachments. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of cholesterol in biological membranes?

To maintain membrane fluidity. Signup and view all the answers

Which process converts excess carbohydrates into fat?

Lipogenesis. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about fatty acid oxidation is true?

It produces acetyl CoA for the Krebs cycle. Signup and view all the answers

What process is involved in creating polymers from monomers?

Dehydration synthesis Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a common monosaccharide?

Fructose Signup and view all the answers

What type of bond forms between two monosaccharides to create a disaccharide?

Glycosidic linkage Signup and view all the answers

How are polysaccharides primarily distinguished?

By their sugar monomers and glycosidic linkages Signup and view all the answers

What is the molecular formula pattern for monosaccharides?

C(H2O)n where n is an integer Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about polymers is false?

Polymers can only be made from carbohydrates. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a role of polysaccharides?

Hormonal signaling Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary component of starch?

Glucose monomers Signup and view all the answers

What structural changes occur in sickle-cell hemoglobin compared to normal hemoglobin?

One amino acid substitution Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the quaternary structure of hemoglobin in sickle-cell compared to normal hemoglobin?

It becomes less stable Signup and view all the answers

Which region of the sickle-cell hemoglobin is affected by the hydrophobic interactions?

The alpha subunit regions Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of normal hemoglobin?

To transport oxygen Signup and view all the answers

How does the primary structure of sickle-cell hemoglobin differ from normal hemoglobin?

Different amino acid sequence at one position Signup and view all the answers

What effect does the interaction of sickle-cell hemoglobin have on oxygen transport?

Inhibition of oxygen binding Signup and view all the answers

What type of secondary structure is most associated with normal hemoglobin?

Alpha helices Signup and view all the answers

What is a similarity between the primary structure of normal and sickle-cell hemoglobin?

Both contain heme groups Signup and view all the answers

What type of bonds connect Adenine and Thymine in DNA?

2 hydrogen bonds Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of DNA?

To provide directions for its own replication Signup and view all the answers

Where does the synthesis of mRNA take place?

In the nucleus Signup and view all the answers

How many hydrogen bonds connect Cytosine and Guanine in DNA?

3 hydrogen bonds Signup and view all the answers

What role does mRNA play in protein synthesis?

It directs the amino acid sequence Signup and view all the answers

What defines the primary structure of a protein?

The unique sequence of amino acids Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes a secondary structure of proteins?

A coil known as an α helix Signup and view all the answers

How are amino acids linked in proteins?

By peptide bonds Signup and view all the answers

Which statement is true about R groups in amino acids?

They determine the amino acid's properties. Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes the tertiary structure of a protein?

The interactions among various R groups Signup and view all the answers

Which amino acids are considered polar?

Serine, Threonine, Tyrosine Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of polypeptides being polymers of amino acids?

They support the vast diversity of proteins. Signup and view all the answers

Which amino acid is an example of an electrically charged basic amino acid?

Lysine Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Macromolecules: Polymers and Monomers

Polymers are large molecules composed of repeating smaller units called monomers.
Carbohydrates, proteins, and nucleic acids are polymeric.

Dehydration Synthesis and Hydrolysis

Dehydration synthesis joins monomers to form polymers by removing a water molecule.
Hydrolysis breaks down polymers into monomers by adding a water molecule.

Carbohydrates: Sugars

Monosaccharides are simple sugars, often multiples of CH₂O (1:2:1 ratio).
Glucose (C₆H₁₂O₆) is a common monosaccharide; others include fructose and galactose.
Monosaccharides are categorized by carbonyl group location (aldose or ketose) and carbon skeleton length (trioses, pentoses, hexoses). Examples include glyceraldehyde, ribose, glucose, galactose, dihydroxyacetone, and fructose.
Disaccharides form via dehydration reactions joining two monosaccharides with a glycosidic linkage (e.g., sucrose, lactose, maltose).
Polysaccharides are complex carbohydrates with storage or structural roles; their structure depends on monomer type and glycosidic linkage positions. Starch is a plant storage polysaccharide composed entirely of glucose.

Lipids: Fats, Phospholipids, and Steroids

Lipids are diverse hydrophobic molecules.
Triglycerides are the main stored fat form; they are created via lipogenesis and broken down via lipolysis for energy.
Phospholipids have hydrophilic heads and hydrophobic tails, making them amphipathic.
Steroids include cholesterol (important for membrane fluidity) and sex hormones (e.g., estrogen, progesterone, testosterone). Cholesterol is carried by lipoproteins (VLDL, LDL, HDL).

Proteins

Proteins are polymers of amino acids linked by peptide bonds. Amino acids have carboxyl and amino groups; their properties vary due to different R groups.
Polypeptides have unique amino acid sequences.
Protein structure has four levels:
- Primary: Unique amino acid sequence.
- Secondary: α-helices and β-pleated sheets formed by hydrogen bonds between backbone components.
- Tertiary: 3D structure determined by interactions between R groups.
- Quaternary: Arrangement of multiple polypeptide chains. Variations in these structures lead to different functions, as seen in normal versus sickle-cell hemoglobin.

Nucleic Acids: DNA and RNA

Nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) are polymers of nucleotides.
DNA replicates itself and directs mRNA synthesis, controlling protein synthesis via mRNA.
In DNA, adenine pairs with thymine (2 hydrogen bonds), and cytosine pairs with guanine (3 hydrogen bonds). Protein synthesis occurs in ribosomes.

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Description

Test your knowledge on macromolecules, including polymers, monomers, and carbohydrates. This quiz will cover key concepts such as dehydration synthesis and hydrolysis, as well as the structure of various sugars. Challenge yourself to recall definitions and classifications related to these essential biological molecules.