Biomolecules and Matter Quiz

Biomolecules are essential molecules for all living organisms.
Biomolecules include large macromolecules such as proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, and nucleic acids.

Matter is a substance that cannot be separated into simpler substances by chemical means.
A compound is a combination of two or more elements.

Water (H₂O) is formed by two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom.
Water is essential for life.
Inorganic compounds are non-biodegradable and non-carbon containing, examples are water, acids, bases, salts and carbon dioxide.
Organic compounds are biodegradable and carbon-containing, examples are proteins, lipids, carbohydrates and nucleic acids.

The seven major elements in living systems are carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, calcium, phosphorus, and potassium.
These elements form the major composition of organic compounds.
Other elements include sulfur, sodium, chlorine, and magnesium.

The role of other elements varies significantly, including: production of energy, part of water, supporting nerve function, acting as a thermostat.

The four major elements in the human body (Big 4) make up 96% of body mass: carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen.
Major elements account for 3.5% of the total body mass. These include calcium, phosphorus, potassium, sulfur, sodium, chlorine, and magnesium.
Trace elements (0.5%) are essential for the body but required in smaller amounts. Examples are boron, chromium, cobalt, copper, fluorine, iodine, iron, manganese, molybdenum, selenium, silicon, tin, vanadium, and zinc.

Electrolytes, also known as salts or ions, comprise inorganic compounds that conduct electricity in the body.
Electrolytes are essential for maintaining voltages across cell membranes.
Six essential electrolytes are Potassium (K+), Phosphates (PO₄⁻³), Calcium (Ca²⁺), Chloride (Cl⁻), Magnesium (Mg²⁺), and Sodium (Na⁺).

Carbohydrates are the most abundant organic compounds.
Carbohydrates are the primary energy source for cells.
Carbohydrates serve as structural components in cells.
Monosaccharides are simple sugars, examples are glucose, fructose, and galactose.
Disaccharides are two simple sugars bonded together, examples are sucrose, maltose, and lactose.
Polysaccharides may consist of thousands of monomers of glucose or other simple sugars, examples are starch, cellulose, and fructans.
The basic formula for a polysaccharide is (CH₂O)ₙ.
- Starch is a storage carbohydrate in plants.
- Glycogen is a storage carbohydrate in animals.

Lipids are organic molecules that include fats, oils, waxes, steroids, and phospholipids.
Lipids function as energy storage, waterproof coatings, and chemical messengers.
Fatty acid and glycerol are the simplest form of lipid.
Lipids in living organisms have the following functions:
- Store energy
- Insulation
- Waterproofing
- Essential components of cell membranes
- Vital roles in hormones and vitamins.
Triglycerides are also known as blood fats and are an insulating material to prevent heat loss against extreme cold.
Saturated fats are those in which all the carbon atoms of the fatty acids are bonded to at least two hydrogen atoms.
Unsaturated fats are those that have fewer hydrogen atoms because two adjacent carbon atoms on the fatty acid share a double bond.
Waxes are insoluble in water, providing a waterproof coating for organisms.
- Phospholipids form the vital components of cell walls.
Steroids include cholesterol, bile salts, sex hormones, and vitamin D.

Proteins are the most abundant and complex compounds in the living cell.
Proteins are the building and replacement materials of our body, especially important when we are growing.
The simplest form of protein is an amino acid.
Proteins have various roles depending on their structure:
- Structural
- Regulatory
- Enzymatic
- Hormonal
- Transport
- Storage

Nucleic acids are large organic molecules responsible for carrying genetic information in the form of a code.
Nucleic acids include DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) and RNA (ribonucleic acid).
The simplest form of nucleic acid is a nucleotide.