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Questions and Answers
Which functional group is primarily associated with the structure of nucleic acids?
Which functional group is primarily associated with the structure of nucleic acids?
What is the primary function of amino groups in biomolecules?
What is the primary function of amino groups in biomolecules?
Which of the following is a monosaccharide?
Which of the following is a monosaccharide?
What type of reaction leads to the formation of a disaccharide from monosaccharides?
What type of reaction leads to the formation of a disaccharide from monosaccharides?
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Which element is an exception for proteins, which typically contain carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen?
Which element is an exception for proteins, which typically contain carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen?
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What is the primary function of starch in plants?
What is the primary function of starch in plants?
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Which of the following is a characteristic of unsaturated fatty acids?
Which of the following is a characteristic of unsaturated fatty acids?
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What is the role of ribonucleic acid (RNA) as described?
What is the role of ribonucleic acid (RNA) as described?
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Which hypothesis suggests that organic molecules arose spontaneously under early Earth conditions?
Which hypothesis suggests that organic molecules arose spontaneously under early Earth conditions?
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What molecule serves as an energy reserve in animals and humans?
What molecule serves as an energy reserve in animals and humans?
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What is the primary role of cellulose in plants?
What is the primary role of cellulose in plants?
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Which component is NOT a monomer of proteins?
Which component is NOT a monomer of proteins?
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What was significant about the Miller experiment?
What was significant about the Miller experiment?
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Study Notes
Biomolecules Overview
- Monomers are small molecules that bond to form polymers, the key building blocks of biological macromolecules.
- Four families of biomolecules: carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids.
- Common elements in macromolecules: carbon (C), hydrogen (H), oxygen (O); nitrogen (N) present in proteins, phosphorus (P) in nucleic acids.
Functional Groups in Biomolecules
- Carboxyl Group: Can donate protons, acting as acids.
- Amino Group: Found in amino acids, accepts protons, important for protein structure.
- Methyl Group: Regulates gene expression.
- Carbonyl Group: Functional group in carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins.
- Ester Group: Present in lipids for energy storage and cell membranes.
- Amide Group: Connects amino acids in proteins and is found in nucleic acids.
- Phosphate Group: Vital for nucleic acid structure, found in ATP for energy transfer.
- Hydroxyl Group: Present in carbohydrates, enables hydrogen bond formation.
Carbohydrates
- Monosaccharides: Simple sugars, e.g., glucose, fructose; provide short-term energy.
- Disaccharides: Composed of two monosaccharides, e.g., sucrose; formed through dehydration reactions.
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Polysaccharides: Long chains of monosaccharides linked by covalent bonds; provide longer-lasting energy.
- Homopolysaccharides: Include starch (energy storage in plants) and cellulose (structural component of plant cell walls).
- Heteropolysaccharides: Include pectin and hyaluronic acid.
Lipids
- Non-polar molecules including fats, oils, and waxes; hydrophobic in nature.
- Monomer: Fatty acids, characterized by long hydrocarbon chains.
- Types of fatty acids:
- Saturated Fatty Acids: Solid at room temperature; saturated with hydrogen.
- Unsaturated Fatty Acids: Liquid at room temperature; healthier, reducing heart disease risk.
Proteins
- Composed of 20 amino acids, with 9 essential amino acids from diet.
- Amino acids form polypeptides (proteins) by linking through peptide bonds.
- Hemoglobin is the protein responsible for red blood color.
Nucleic Acids
- Monomer: Nucleotide, key for energy transfer (e.g., ATP).
- DNA and RNA functions: Store genetic information, self-replication, and catalytic properties.
- RNA was the first macromolecule identified in protobionts.
Energy Storage
- Glycogen: Polysaccharide that serves as a key energy reserve in animals.
Origin of Biomolecules
- Early Earth conditions may have favored the spontaneous formation of organic molecules.
- Miller Experiment: First experimental test for prebiotic synthesis, simulating early Earth conditions.
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Four Stage Hypothesis:
- Production of nucleotides and amino acids before life.
- Polymerization of nucleotides to RNA/DNA and amino acids to proteins.
- Enclosure of polymers in membranes.
- Membrane-enclosed polymers gaining cellular properties.
- Oparin Hypothesis: Proposed the concept of primordial soup, where organic molecules arose spontaneously.
The Prebiotic Soup Theory
- Organic molecules accumulated slowly in the ocean, possibly sparked by lightning as the energy source for the beginning of life.
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Description
This quiz explores the essential building blocks of life, focusing on monomers, polymers, and the four major biomolecules: carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids. Understand the elements that compose these macromolecules, their functional groups, and how they relate to energy sources like glucose.
