Questions and Answers
What are biomolecules primarily made of?
What are the building blocks of carbohydrates?
Monosaccharides
Which of the following is a type of polysaccharide used for energy storage in plants?
Lipids are made up of proteins.
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What is the most abundant bimolecular in the biosphere?
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Example of a disaccharide is _____.
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What type of fats are usually liquid at room temperature?
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Which of the following is NOT a function of proteins?
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What are liposomes commonly used for?
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What are amino acids the building blocks of?
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Saturated fats are ____ at room temperature.
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Match the following lipids with their examples:
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Study Notes
Biomolecules Overview
- Organic compounds that constitute the molecules of life, primarily composed of carbon and hydrogen.
- Major categories include carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids.
- Proteins, nucleic acids, and polysaccharides are polymers made from repeated monomers.
Carbohydrates
- Most abundant biomolecules on Earth.
- Function: Energy storage and structural support.
- Building block: Monosaccharides.
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Examples:
- Monosaccharides: Glucose, fructose, ribose, deoxyribose.
- Disaccharides: Composed of two monosaccharides, e.g., lactose, sucrose, maltose.
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Polysaccharides:
- Starch: Energy storage in plants.
- Glycogen: Energy storage in animals (liver and muscles).
- Chitin: Structural component in exoskeletons of crustaceans and fungi cell walls.
- Cellulose: Most abundant biopolymer in plant cell walls, providing structural support.
- Common sources: cereals, bread, pasta, fruits, and vegetables.
Lipids
- Composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen; some contain phosphorus.
- Function: Long-term energy storage, insulation, cushioning organs, and forming cell membranes.
- Building blocks: Fatty acids and glycerol.
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Examples:
- Triglycerides: Main energy source; includes fats (animal origin) and oils (plant origin).
- Waxes: Water-repellent substances.
- Phospholipids: Key components of cell membranes.
- Steroids: Includes cholesterol and hormones (testosterone, progesterone).
- Types of fats:
- Saturated fats: Solid at room temperature (e.g., butter, lard).
- Unsaturated fats: Liquid at room temperature; usually plant-based oils (e.g., olive oil).
- Trans fats: Artificially hydrogenated oils found in margarine and processed foods.
Proteins
- Serve various functions such as structural support, movement, transport, defense, catalysis, and signaling.
- Building blocks: Amino acids (20 different types).
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Examples:
- Structural proteins: Collagen, keratin.
- Transport proteins: Hemoglobin.
- Enzymes: Amylase, insulin.
- Antibodies for immune defense.
- Proteins consist of peptides (2-50 amino acids) and polypeptides (51 or more amino acids).
- Protein folding is critical for function and stability within cells.
Post-Translational Modifications
- Common modifications include:
- Cleavage of the protein backbone.
- Glycosylation: Addition of sugar moieties.
- Phosphorylation: Addition of phosphate groups, involved in signaling and apoptosis.
- Acetylation, ubiquitination, and methylation: Affect protein stability, folding, and activity.
- These modifications are essential for proper protein function and cellular signaling.
Liposomes
- Common nanocarriers for delivering drugs into target cells or subcellular compartments, used in treatments for cancer and infectious diseases, as well as in skincare products.
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Description
This quiz covers the essential concepts of biomolecules, focusing on carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. Learn about their structures, functions, and roles in living organisms, including key examples and classifications. Ideal for students studying biology or life sciences.
