Macromolecules and Their Functions

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Questions and Answers

What are the four major macromolecules?

  • Proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids (correct)
  • Proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, and nucleic acids
  • Nucleic acids, vitamins, proteins, and glucose
  • Lipids, carbohydrates, proteins, and minerals

What is dehydration synthesis?

  • A type of reaction that allows for the bonding of nucleotides
  • The process of breaking down a polymer into monomers using water
  • The formation of a polymer by removing water from monomers (correct)
  • A reaction that produces energy in the form of heat

What are the main types of monomers for carbohydrates?

  • Nucleotides and monosaccharides
  • Amino acids and fatty acids
  • Fatty acids and glycerol
  • Monosaccharides like glucose and fructose (correct)

Which statement correctly describes the structure of triglycerides?

<p>They are composed of one glycerol molecule and three fatty acids (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of cholesterol in the body?

<p>To build cell membranes and produce important molecules (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following carbohydrates provides structural support in plant cell walls?

<p>Cellulose (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are lipids primarily characterized by?

<p>Solubility in organic solvents and hydrophobic properties (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What elements are commonly found in lipids?

<p>Carbon, Hydrogen, and Oxygen (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are amino acids primarily known for?

<p>Building blocks of proteins (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of bonds link amino acids in a polypeptide?

<p>Peptide bonds (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of DNA within a cell?

<p>Storing and carrying genetic information (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which term describes the enzyme-substrate interaction hypothesis where the enzyme changes shape to fit the substrate?

<p>Induced-fit model (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What structure does RNA typically possess?

<p>Single-stranded with ribose sugars (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which organelle is responsible for protein synthesis in all types of cells?

<p>Ribosomes (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What happens to an enzyme when it becomes denatured?

<p>Its structure is altered and can no longer function properly (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who among the following is NOT recognized as a contributor to the cell theory?

<p>Charles Darwin (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of lysosomes in a cell?

<p>Breaking down waste materials and cellular debris (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the structure of DNA described as?

<p>A double helix resembling a twisted ladder (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

What are Polymers?

Large molecules made by bonding (chemically linking) a series of building blocks.

What is Dehydration Synthesis?

When two molecules or compounds are joined to form a larger molecule following the removal of water.

What is Hydrolysis?

A chemical reaction in which a molecule of water breaks one or more chemical bonds.

What is a Carbohydrate?

carbohydrate is an organic compound such as sugar or starch.

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What is the function of Glycogen?

The primary storage form of glucose in animals.

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What is the function of Cellulose?

Structural support to plant cell walls.

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What are Lipids?

Fatty, waxy, or oily compounds that are soluble in organic solvents and insoluble in polar solvents such as water.

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What is the function of Triglycerides?

They store unused calories and provide your body with energy.

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What are Amino Acids?

Organic molecules that serve as the building blocks of proteins.

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What are Polypeptides?

Long chains of amino acids linked together by peptide bonds, they form the basic structure of proteins.

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Functions of Proteins

They provide structural support, regulate gene expression, transport molecules like oxygen and defend against disease as antibodies.

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What are Enzymes?

They act as catalysts in living organisms, speeding up chemical reactions without being changed themselves.

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What is a Denatured Enzyme?

An enzyme whose structure has been altered, usually by heat or chemicals, causing it to lose its specific shape and ability to function properly.

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What is the structure of an Enzyme-Substrate Complex?

The structure involves the substrate binding to the enzyme's active site through noncovalent interactions, forming a temporary complex that facilitates the chemical reaction.

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Lock and Key Hypothesis vs Induced-Fit Model

The lock and key hypothesis suggests that enzymes and substrates fit together precisely, while the induced-fit model proposes that the enzyme changes shape to accommodate the substrate, enhancing the reaction.

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What are the monomers of Nucleic Acids?

Nitrogen-containing base, a sugar (either ribose or deoxyribose), and a phosphate group.

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What is the function of DNA?

It functions as the carrier of genetic information, providing the instructions for protein synthesis and enabling the transmission of hereditary traits from parents to offspring.

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What is the structure of DNA?

It's structured as a double helix, resembling a twisted ladder, with sugar-phosphate backbones forming the sides and paired nitrogenous bases (adenine with thymine, and guanine with cytosine) as the rungs.

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Study Notes

Macromolecules

  • Four major macromolecules: proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids
  • Organic molecules are typically composed of carbon atoms with other atoms (like hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen) attached.
  • Monomers are small molecules that bond to form larger polymers.

Monomers

  • Four main types of monomers: sugars, amino acids, fatty acids, and nucleotides.

Polymers

  • Polymers are large molecules formed by the chemical bonding of monomers.

Dehydration Synthesis & Hydrolysis

  • Dehydration synthesis joins molecules by removing water.
  • Hydrolysis breaks molecules apart using water.

Carbohydrates

  • Carbohydrates are organic compounds (like sugars and starches)
  • Elements: carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen (CHO)
  • Function: energy storage
  • Monomers: monosaccharides (e.g., glucose, fructose)
  • Polymers: starch, glycogen, cellulose, and chitin
  • Functions of carbohydrate polymers:
    • Starch: energy storage in plants
    • Glycogen: energy storage in animals
    • Cellulose: structural support in plant cell walls
    • Chitin: structural support in arthropod exoskeletons and fungal cell walls

Lipids

  • Lipids are fatty, waxy, or oily compounds soluble in organic solvents but insoluble in water.
  • Elements: carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen (CHO)
  • Monomers: glycerol and fatty acids
  • Structures:
    • Triglycerides: glycerol + 3 fatty acids, store energy.
    • Phospholipids: glycerol + 2 fatty acids + phosphate group, cell membrane barrier.
    • Cholesterol: four connected carbon rings, short tail, and hydroxyl group, cell membrane component, hormone precursor.

Proteins

  • Monomers: amino acids
  • Amino acids are organic molecules building blocks of proteins.
  • Polymers: polypeptides, long chains of amino acids linked by peptide bonds.
  • Functions: structural support, regulate gene expression, transport molecules (e.g., oxygen), and defend against disease (e.g., antibodies).
  • Enzyme structure: specific three-dimensional shapes.
    • Enzymes are proteins that catalyze chemical reactions.
    • Denatured enzyme: loses its structure and function due to heat or chemicals.
    • Lock and Key v. Induced Fit: models describing enzyme-substrate interaction; Lock and Key is strict fit, Induced Fit is flexible fit.
    • Enzyme-substrate complex: temporary combination of enzyme and substrate during a reaction.

Nucleic Acids

  • Monomers: nitrogen-containing base, sugar (ribose or deoxyribose), and phosphate group.
  • DNA: carries genetic information, double helix structure (adenine pairs with thymine, guanine pairs with cytosine).
  • RNA: carries genetic information from DNA to ribosomes, single-stranded structure, (adenine pairs with uracil).

Cell Theory

  • All living things are composed of one or more cells.
  • The cell is the basic unit of structure and function in living things.
  • All cells come from pre-existing cells.
  • Contributors: Robert Hooke, Antonie van Leeuwenhoek, Matthias Schleiden, Theodor Schwann, Rudolf Virchow.
  • Organelles found in all cells: Ribosomes (protein synthesis).

Cell Organelles (Specific to cell types)

  • Bacteria: plasmids
  • Animal: lysosomes
  • Plant: chloroplasts, large central vacuoles

Further Organelle functions (missing from the original text)

  • Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER): involved in protein synthesis and lipid metabolism.
  • Golgi Apparatus: modifies, sorts, and packages proteins.
  • Nucleus: controls cell activities, contains DNA.
  • Lysosomes: break down waste materials using enzymes.
  • Ribosomes (function): synthesize proteins.

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