Biomolecules and Their Functions
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Biomolecules and Their Functions

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@MiraculousOphicleide

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Questions and Answers

Which functional group is primarily associated with the structure of nucleic acids?

  • Phosphate group (correct)
  • Ester group
  • Carboxyl group
  • Hydroxyl group
  • What is the primary function of amino groups in biomolecules?

  • Serving as energy storage
  • Regulating gene expression
  • Acting as acids
  • Accepting protons (correct)
  • Which of the following is a monosaccharide?

  • Glucose (correct)
  • Sucrose
  • Lactose
  • Maltose
  • What type of reaction leads to the formation of a disaccharide from monosaccharides?

    <p>Dehydration</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which element is an exception for proteins, which typically contain carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen?

    <p>Nitrogen</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of starch in plants?

    <p>Energy storage</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is a characteristic of unsaturated fatty acids?

    <p>They are liquid at room temperature.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the role of ribonucleic acid (RNA) as described?

    <p>It stores genetic information and aids in self-replication.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which hypothesis suggests that organic molecules arose spontaneously under early Earth conditions?

    <p>Alexander Oparin hypothesis</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What molecule serves as an energy reserve in animals and humans?

    <p>Glycogen</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary role of cellulose in plants?

    <p>Structural support</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which component is NOT a monomer of proteins?

    <p>Nucleotides</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was significant about the Miller experiment?

    <p>It demonstrated the synthesis of organic molecules under simulated early Earth conditions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    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.
    • 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.
    • 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.

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