Laboratory Skills Unit 2: Biomolecules

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Questions and Answers

Which of the following correctly describes monosaccharides?

Fats composed of glycerol and fatty acids

Polymers made of several hundred monosaccharides

Compounds consisting of two simple sugars

Simple, single sugars with a molecular formula of CH₂O derivatives (correct)

What is the primary function of carbohydrates in cells?

To serve as a major energy source (correct)

To provide structural support exclusively

To form genetic material

To act as hormones regulating metabolism

Which of the following is an example of a polysaccharide?

Sucrose

Cellulose (correct)

Glucose

Fructose

How are triglycerides formed?

From three fatty acids linked to a glycerol Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes lipids from carbohydrates and proteins?

They are not considered polymers Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes saturated fatty acids from unsaturated fatty acids?

They contain one or more double bonds. Signup and view all the answers

Which part of a phospholipid is hydrophilic?

Phosphate group Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of cholesterol in the body?

To act as a component of cell membranes. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following correctly describes nucleic acids?

They contain phosphorus in their structure. Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the major functions of RNA?

Regulates the expression of DNA information. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary structural feature that distinguishes steroids from other lipids?

Carbon skeleton consisting of four fused rings Signup and view all the answers

Which component is essential for the formation of proteins?

Amino acids Signup and view all the answers

What best describes the function of DNA in living organisms?

Stores and codes for genetic information Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic is shared between DNA and RNA?

Both are made of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, and oxygen Signup and view all the answers

What roles do phospholipids play in cellular structures?

Creating structural framework of membranes Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes polysaccharides?

They can consist of hundreds to thousands of monosaccharides and serve as energy storage. Signup and view all the answers

What property of lipids makes them hydrophobic?

They possess a molecular structure that does not interact well with water. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main structural difference between saturated and unsaturated fatty acids?

Saturated fatty acids have carbon chains without double bonds, while unsaturated have one or more double bonds. Signup and view all the answers

Which component is essential for classifying a molecule as a fat?

It needs to have three fatty acid chains linked to one glycerol molecule. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a function of carbohydrates?

Storing genetic information. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Laboratory Skills - Unit 2, Part 1

This unit covers biomolecules
Biomolecules are molecules produced by an organism
There are four main types of biomolecules: carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids
Chemical formulas are given for Glucose (C₆H₁₂O₆)

Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates are composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen
Examples include sugars, fibers, and starches
Sugars include monosaccharides, disaccharides, and polysaccharides
Monosaccharides are simple, single sugars, with molecular formulas derived from CH₂O
Glucose is a monosaccharide with the formula C₆H₁₂O₆
Disaccharides are formed from two simple sugars (monosaccharides)
Sucrose is a disaccharide formed from glucose and fructose
Polysaccharides are polymers of hundreds to thousands of monosaccharides
They serve as storage material (e.g., starches like glycogen) and as building material for protective structures (e.g., cellulose in plant cells)
Polysaccharides have different bond types (alpha and beta bonds)

Lipids

Lipids are comprised of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen
Examples include fats, phospholipids, oils, waxes, and steroids
Lipids are hydrophobic (do not dissolve in water)
Lipids are not polymers
Fats are composed of glycerol and fatty acids
Glycerol is an alcohol with three carbons and a hydroxyl group (OH)
Fatty acids have long chains of carbon (16-18 carbons), with a carboxyl group at one end (“head”) and a hydrocarbon chain at the opposite end (“tail”)
Saturated fatty acids have no double bonds between carbon atoms
Unsaturated fatty acids have one or more double bonds between carbon atoms
Phospholipids have two fatty acid tails and a phosphate group
Phospholipids form the lipid bilayer of cell membranes
Steroids are lipids characterized by a carbon skeleton consisting of four fused rings
Cholesterol is a common steroid in the body

Proteins

Proteins are comprised of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen
They are made up of many different amino acids linked together
Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins
Proteins have a diverse array of structures (primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary)

Nucleic Acids

Nucleic acids are comprised of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and phosphorus
Building blocks of DNA and RNA
Two types exist: deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA)
DNA contains genetic information
RNA expresses DNA via protein synthesis

Functions

Carbohydrates: Major energy source for cells, fast energy source, energy storage in polysaccharide form
Lipids: Long-term energy storage, insulation, hormones
Proteins: Structural support, storage, transportation,cell signaling, movement, defense against foreign substances (antibodies). Account for more than 50% of dry cell weight
Nucleic Acids: Store and code genetic info; RNA aids in protein synthesis and regulates gene expression

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Description

This quiz covers Unit 2, Part 1 of Laboratory Skills, focusing on biomolecules. Explore the four main types of biomolecules: carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids, along with key examples and their chemical formulas. Test your understanding of carbohydrates, including monosaccharides, disaccharides, and polysaccharides.