Biomolecules Overview

Questions and Answers

What are carbohydrate macromolecules primarily composed of?

Simple sugars (correct)

Fatty acids

Amino acids

Nucleotides

What is the primary function of lipid macromolecules?

Holds structural material, stores energy and signals molecules.

What is the main role of protein macromolecules?

Builds bones, muscles, tissues, ligaments, hair, nails and skin.

What are nucleic acid macromolecules responsible for?

Storage, expression, and transmission of genetic information. Signup and view all the answers

What element is needed in organic macromolecules?

Carbon. Signup and view all the answers

What defines a macromolecule?

A large organic molecule composed of many smaller molecules. Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes organic molecules?

Compounds built using carbon as a backbone. Signup and view all the answers

What are inorganic molecules?

Compounds not built with carbon as a backbone. Signup and view all the answers

What are monomers?

Molecules that are the smaller units that make up a macromolecule. Signup and view all the answers

What are polymers?

Another word for macromolecules. Signup and view all the answers

What is glucose?

A monomer which builds carbohydrates. Signup and view all the answers

What are simple sugars primarily used for?

Immediate or short-term energy for cellular respiration. Signup and view all the answers

What constitutes a complex carbohydrate?

A carbohydrate composed of many molecules joined together. Signup and view all the answers

Humans can digest cellulose.

False Signup and view all the answers

What are lipids used for?

Cell membranes, cushioning internal organs, and providing insulation to nerve cells. Signup and view all the answers

What type of lipid is used for long-term energy storage?

Fatty acids. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of steroids in the body?

Stores chemical signals/hormones. Signup and view all the answers

What does hydrophobic mean?

Dislike water. Signup and view all the answers

What are hormones made of?

Cholesterol. Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes good cholesterol from bad cholesterol?

Unsaturated fats are double bonded. Signup and view all the answers

What are proteins also called?

Polypeptides. Signup and view all the answers

What are amino acids?

Building blocks (monomers) for proteins. Signup and view all the answers

Denatured proteins maintain their original shape.

False Signup and view all the answers

What are enzymes?

Catalysts for chemical reactions in living things. Signup and view all the answers

What is the lock and key model in enzymatic reactions?

Enzymes only speed up reactions with the exact fitting key for the keyhole. Signup and view all the answers

What are decomposition reactions?

Reactions that break down substances. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Carbohydrates

Composed of simple sugars, primarily glucose, linked in long chains.
Function as primary energy sources for cells.
Monomer unit is glucose; complex carbohydrates like starch and glycogen serve long-term energy needs.

Lipids

Serve as structural materials and energy storage, and function as signaling molecules.
Hydrophobic in nature; includes oils, fats, and steroids.
Fatty acids serve as energy storage; glycerol acts as the lipid backbone.

Proteins

Build and repair bodily structures such as bones, muscles, and skin.
Composed of amino acids; 20 different types lead to diverse protein structures.
Enzymes, a special class of proteins, catalyze biochemical reactions.

Nucleic Acids

Responsible for the storage, expression, and transmission of genetic information.
Composed of nucleotides, which include a base, phosphate group, and either DNA or RNA.

Macromolecules

Large organic molecules, including carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.
Basic units (monomers) link together to form polymers (macromolecules).

Organic vs Inorganic Molecules

Organic molecules feature carbon as a backbone and include elements like fats and sugars.
Inorganic molecules lack carbon backbones; examples include water and carbon dioxide.

Monomers and Polymers

Monomers are small units that combine to form larger macromolecules (polymers).
Examples include glucose (monomer for carbohydrates) and amino acids (monomers for proteins).

Cellulose

A complex carbohydrate humans cannot digest due to its structure, although it consists of glucose units.
Ruminants like cows can digest cellulose effectively.

Cholesterol

Steroids function in hormone production and signaling; cholesterol is a significant type of steroid.
Good cholesterol (unsaturated fats) helps clear bad cholesterol (saturated fats) from blood vessels.

Protein Structure and Function

Proteins can be denatured by temperature or pH changes, altering their original shape.
The lock and key model illustrates how enzymes require specific substrates to function effectively in reactions.

Enzymatic Reactions

Enzymes are catalysts that speed up chemical reactions, allowing substrates to be built or broken down more effectively.
Key enzymes include pepsin (proteins), amylase (starches), and lipase (fats).

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Description

Test your knowledge on the four major classes of biomolecules: carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids. Understand their structures, functions, and roles in the human body. This quiz will challenge your grasp on these essential macromolecules and their importance to biology.