Questions and Answers
What is biochemistry?
The study of biology at a molecular level.
Which of the following are biological molecules that need to be known?
What are carbohydrates used for?
For energy and sometimes structural purposes.
What are lipids used for?
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What are proteins responsible for?
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What is the role of water in biochemical reactions?
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What are nucleic acids responsible for?
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What is the function of enzymes?
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What is a covalent bond?
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Carbon can form two covalent bonds.
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What are double bonds?
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Study Notes
Introduction to Biochemistry
- Biochemistry explores biology at the molecular level, emphasizing the significance of chemical molecules in biological processes.
- Key focuses include understanding the relationships between structure and function of biomolecules.
Biological Molecules
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Carbohydrates
- Vital for life, used for energy storage and supply.
- Structurally important in forms such as cellulose.
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Lipids
- Include fats, oils, cholesterol, and steroids.
- Role in cellular membranes, insulation, protection, and as a minor energy source.
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Proteins
- Serve various functions including transport and structural roles.
- Constitutive of enzymes, hormones, antibodies, and haemoglobin.
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Water
- Essential for life, involved in metabolic reactions.
- Key structural component in plants and a critical part of animal diets.
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Nucleic Acids
- Responsible for DNA and RNA formation, consisting of nucleotides.
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Enzymes
- Specialized proteins that catalyze metabolic reactions across living organisms.
Chemistry Basics
- Focus on organic chemistry, where most biomolecules are carbon-based (excluding water, which is H2O).
- Understanding chemical bonding is crucial for grasping the stability and function of biomolecules.
Chemical Bonds
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Covalent Bonds
- Formed when atoms share electrons, stabilizing the atom.
- Carbon can form four covalent bonds due to having four outer electrons.
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Double Bonds
- Atoms can share multiple electrons to stabilize themselves.
- Common examples include carbon-carbon (C=C) and carbon-oxygen (C=O) double bonds.
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Description
This quiz covers the fundamental concepts of biochemistry, focusing on the relationships between biological molecules and their roles in life processes. Topics include carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids, and water's essential functions. Test your knowledge on how these molecules contribute to biology at the molecular level.
