Cell Biology and Macromolecules Overview

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Questions and Answers

Which of the following statements accurately describes the difference between a nucleoside and a nucleotide?

A nucleoside consists of a nitrogenous base and a sugar, while a nucleotide also includes a phosphate group. (correct)
A nucleoside is a polymer of nucleotides linked together by phosphodiester bonds.
A nucleoside is specific to RNA, while a nucleotide is specific to DNA.
A nucleoside contains a phosphate group, while a nucleotide does not.

In the context of protein structure, which type of interaction is primarily responsible for maintaining the secondary structure of a protein?

Ionic bonds between charged amino acid side chains
Hydrogen bonds between the peptide backbones (correct)
Covalent bonds between adjacent amino acids
Hydrophobic interactions between R-groups

Which of the following best describes the role of enzymes in biochemical reactions?

Enzymes shift the equilibrium of a reaction towards the products.
Enzymes increase the activation energy of a reaction, thus speeding it up.
Enzymes lower the activation energy required for a reaction to occur. (correct)
Enzymes are consumed during a reaction, causing it to proceed.

Which of the following features distinguishes cellulose from glycogen and starch?

<p>Cellulose contains $\beta$-1,4-glycosidic linkages, while starch and glycogen contain $\alpha$-1,4-glycosidic linkages. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which property of lipids allows them to form cellular membranes?

<p>Their amphipathic nature, with hydrophilic heads and hydrophobic tails. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Carbon's Importance in biological chemistry

In biological chemistry, carbon's ability to form four bonds allows for the creation of diverse and complex molecules, essential for life.

Nucleotides

Nucleotides are the building blocks of DNA and RNA. They consist of a phosphate group, a sugar (deoxyribose in DNA, ribose in RNA), and a nitrogenous base.

Proteins

Proteins are polymers of amino acids. They are essential for many biological functions, including structural support, catalysis, and transport.

Enzymes

Enzymes are biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions by lowering the activation energy barrier. They are typically proteins, but some RNA molecules can also act as enzymes.

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Polysaccharides

Polysaccharides are long chains of sugar monomers. They play important roles in energy storage (starch and glycogen) and structural support (cellulose and pectin).

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Study Notes

Preview of Cell Biology

Some historical perspectives in biology
Techniques used in biological inquiry
Strands of biological inquiry

Macromolecules I

Carbon and its importance in biological chemistry
Different types of bonding and their relation to the strength of association
Macromolecule synthesis: directionality, monomers, activated monomers
Nucleic acids (DNA vs RNA): composition, structure, monomers, differences between nucleosides and nucleotides, base pairing, Chargaff's rule, Griffith S-R strain experiments

Macromolecules II

Proteins: monomers (amino acids), directionality of synthesis, primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary structures, differences in bonding
Enzymes: catalysts of life
- Activation energy barrier
- Catalyst properties
- Enzymes (proteins and RNA)
- Induced fit model
- Irreversible and reversible regulation (activation and inhibition) of enzymes

Macromolecules III

Polysaccharides: monomers, structures (L-D isomers), roles inside a cell (structural and storage), examples (cellulose, starch, glycogen, pectin)
Lipids: types of lipids, their function, amphipathic properties