36 Questions
What is the primary function of lipids?
To form plasma membranes that enclose cells
Which group of compounds is structurally very different from lipids?
Steroids
In a living cell, which organic compound group would tip the scale if separated and weighed?
Proteins
Which proteins speed up biochemical reactions?
Enzymes
What is the essential function of transporter proteins?
To transport certain chemicals into and out of cells
Which organic compound group is important constituents of the plasma membranes of animal cells and mycoplasmas?
Steroids
What is the main energy-supplying molecule of living cells?
Glucose
Which type of carbohydrates consist of tens or hundreds of monosaccharides joined through dehydration synthesis?
Polysaccharides
What is composed of glucose subunits and synthesized as a storage material by animals and some bacteria?
Glycogen
Which compound is the main component of the cell walls of plants and most algae?
Cellulose
Which group of organic compounds found in living matter provides the structure of membranes and some cell walls?
Lipids
If lipids were to suddenly disappear from the Earth, what would be the consequence for living cells?
Immediate cell collapse
What are characteristic functional groups in organic compounds?
Groups of atoms responsible for most chemical reactions
Which organic compound includes sugars and starches?
Carbohydrates
What is the main function of deoxyribose in living organisms?
Being a building block of DNA
What is the principal function of carbohydrates in living systems?
Functioning as food reserves
Which type of sugars are called monosaccharides?
Sugars with three to seven carbon atoms
What is the role of hexoses and pentoses in living organisms?
Fueling cellular activities
What ions do acids dissociate into in an aqueous environment?
H+ and anions
How does the pH scale express the amount of H+ in a solution?
Linear scale from 0 to 14
What happens to enzymes in cells when acid or base concentrations are too high or too low?
They denature and lose their function
Which ions are free in a solution that is considered acidic?
H+
Why is it important for organisms to maintain a balance of acids and bases?
To ensure proper enzyme function
In terms of the pH scale, what does a change of one whole number represent?
A tenfold change in concentration
What is the role of water in facilitating the passage of nutrients through cell membranes?
Water dissolves nutrients for easier passage
How does water contribute to most chemical reactions inside living cells?
Water serves as a medium for reactions to occur
What defines an acid based on its ability to donate?
Acids donate protons (H+)
Which ions do bases dissociate into when in water?
Negatively charged hydroxide ions (OH-)
What differentiates a salt from acids and bases?
Salts dissociate into cations and anions that are not H+ or OH-
In the context of acid-base balance, the pH scale measures the concentration of which ions?
Hydrogen ions (H+)
What is the primary function of pH buffers in living organisms?
To maintain a steady pH in the presence of waste products
Which of the following is NOT a factor that can alter the pH in the environment's water and soil?
Nutrient absorption by plants
What is the significance of adding pH buffers to a culture medium in a laboratory?
To prevent drastic pH changes that can inhibit bacterial growth
Which of the following building blocks are carbohydrates primarily composed of?
Monosaccharides
In the context of organic compounds, what differentiates simple lipids from complex lipids and steroids?
Simple lipids only contain carbon and hydrogen, while complex lipids and steroids contain additional elements
What is the role of the pH scale in understanding acid-base balance?
To quantify the acidity or basicity of a solution on a numerical scale
Test your knowledge on lipids, fats, triglycerides, glycerol, fatty acids, and steroids. Learn about the functions of lipids in forming plasma membranes and supporting cells, as well as the structural differences of steroids from lipids.
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