Macromolecules Overview Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary function of carbohydrates in living organisms?

Long-term energy storage

Insulation and protection

Making up structural components of cells

Short-term energy storage (correct)

Which statement correctly describes the difference between monomers and polymers?

Monomers are always proteins, and polymers are always carbohydrates.

Monomers are small units; polymers are complex structures made of monomers. (correct)

Monomers can form other monomers instead of polymers.

Monomers do not contain carbon, while polymers do.

What is the role of phospholipids in cell membranes?

Facilitate cell signaling

Serve as the cell's genetic material

Provide energy storage for the cell

Make the membrane selectively permeable (correct)

Which macromolecule stores the most energy per gram?

Lipids Signup and view all the answers

What is a key function of proteins in the human body?

Regulate biochemical reactions as enzymes Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a characteristic of lipids?

They are insulated and provide long-term energy storage. Signup and view all the answers

Which macromolecule is primarily composed of fatty acids?

Lipids Signup and view all the answers

What role do antibodies play in the body?

They assist the immune system in fighting diseases. Signup and view all the answers

What occurs during the G1 phase of the cell cycle?

The cell grows and makes proteins Signup and view all the answers

Which event marks the beginning of cytokinesis?

Cytoplasm division starts Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about photosynthesis is correct?

Electron Transport Chain is termed as light-dependent reaction Signup and view all the answers

How many identical daughter cells result from mitosis?

Two Signup and view all the answers

Which process involves the movement of materials against a concentration gradient?

Active transport Signup and view all the answers

In which part of the chloroplast does the Calvin Cycle occur?

Stroma Signup and view all the answers

Which phase of cellular respiration occurs in the mitochondria?

Krebs Cycle Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of the cell cycle?

For growth and repair Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of eukaryotic cells compared to prokaryotic cells?

Eukaryotic cells have membrane-bound organelles Signup and view all the answers

Which process primarily breaks down glucose in cellular respiration?

Glycolysis Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of nucleic acids?

Informational molecules Signup and view all the answers

Which component is NOT part of a nucleotide?

Fatty acid chain Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of increasing temperature on the rate of a chemical reaction?

Increases the reaction rate Signup and view all the answers

Which type of cell does NOT have a defined nucleus?

Prokaryotic cell Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes facilitated diffusion?

Involves specific transport proteins Signup and view all the answers

Which solution would cause a cell to swell?

Hypotonic solution Signup and view all the answers

How do enzymes affect chemical reactions?

They lower the activation energy Signup and view all the answers

Which process uses vesicles to transport materials out of a cell?

Exocytosis Signup and view all the answers

ATP is primarily used for which of the following?

Energy transfer Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of producers in an ecosystem?

Capturing energy from nonliving sources Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following reactions is exothermic?

Cellular respiration Signup and view all the answers

What is one key characteristic of molecular pumps?

They depend on ATP for energy Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the energy when ATP is converted to ADP?

Energy is released Signup and view all the answers

Which macromolecule is NOT primarily broken down for energy?

Nucleic acids Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Macromolecules

Macromolecules are large organic molecules, primarily carbon-based, forming all living organisms.
Examples include carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.
Macromolecules are typically polymers assembled from monomers.
Monomers are small, basic subunits; polymers are large, complex structures composed of monomers.
Carbohydrates: Primary function is short-term energy storage, also involved in structure, transport, and signaling. Found in sugars and starches; 4 calories/gram.
Lipids: Primary function is long-term energy storage, also provide insulation, protection, and structural components like phospholipids (cell membranes). Found in fats, oils, phospholipids, and steroids; 9 calories/gram. Phospholipids have a hydrophilic head and hydrophobic tails, forming a bilayer in cell membranes.
Proteins: Diverse functions (enzymes, hormones, structural components, transport, antibodies, movement, receptors); the most structurally and functionally diverse macromolecule. 4 levels of protein structure (primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary); function is determined by its shape. Source of energy in the food we eat.
Nucleic acids (DNA and RNA): Informational molecules storing and transmitting genetic information required to make proteins. Monomers = nucleotides. Never broken down as an energy source.

Enzymes and Biochemical Reactions

Enzymes are primarily proteins that accelerate biochemical reactions by lowering activation energy.
They act as catalysts; not consumed in the reaction and can be reused.
Enzymes bind to reactants (substrates), aiding in bond breaking/forming, liberating a product.
Factors affecting reaction rate: temperature, pH, substrate concentration, and catalysts (enzymes).
Competitive inhibitors slow reactions.
Key types of chemical reactions include:
- Endothermic reactions absorb energy (e.g., photosynthesis).
- Exothermic reactions release energy (e.g., cellular respiration).
- Metabolic reactions are enzyme-controlled.

Cell Theory and Organelle Structures and Functions

Cell theory:
- All living things are made of cells.
- Cells are the basic units of life.
- All cells come from pre-existing cells.
Two cell types: prokaryotic and eukaryotic.
Unicellular organisms consist of a single cell; multicellular organisms are composed of many cells that form tissues, organs, and organ systems.

Cell Transport

Two main categories: passive and active transport.
Passive transport requires no energy input, moving substances down concentration gradients (high to low concentration). E.g. Simple diffusion, facilitated diffusion, osmosis.
Active transport requires energy (ATP) to move materials against concentration gradients (low to high concentration). Examples include molecular pumps, endocytosis, and exocytosis.
Simple diffusion: Molecules move from high to low concentration across the membrane until equilibrium is reached. Examples include oxygen and carbon dioxide.
Facilitated diffusion: Transport proteins aid in molecule movement across the membrane, which are too large to diffuse freely.
Osmosis: Water movement across cell membranes to equalize water concentration.
- Hypertonic solution: Higher solute concentration; water moves out of the cell.
- Hypotonic solution: Lower solute concentration; water moves into the cell.
- Isotonic solution: Equal solute concentration; no net water movement.
Molecular pumps: Protein channels that use energy to move molecules against their gradient. Examples include sodium-potassium pumps.
Endocytosis: Bulk transport of substances into the cell using vesicles. Examples include phagocytosis and pinocytosis.
Exocytosis: Bulk transport of substances out of the cell using vesicles. Examples include hormone release and neurotransmitter release.

ATP

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP): A molecule that stores energy for cellular processes.
ATP structure: Adenine, ribose sugar, and three phosphate groups.
ATP —> ADP + P + energy (exothermic).
ADP + P + energy —> ATP (endothermic).

Energy Flow

Producers (autotrophs): Capture energy from non-living sources (e.g. sunlight) and convert it.
Consumers (heterotrophs): Obtain their energy by consuming other organisms; herbivores, carnivores, omnivores, detritivores

Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration

Photosynthesis: Conversion of light energy into chemical energy (sugars).
Cellular respiration: Breakdown of sugars to release usable energy (ATP).
Know the chemical formulas for each
Know the location of these reactions (chloroplasts and mitochondria). The Electron Transport Chain is a key step in both photosynthesis and cellular respiration, though different names are used in the context of each process.

Cell Cycle

Cell cycle: Repeated pattern of growth, DNA duplication, and cell division.
Three main phases:
- Interphase (growth): G1, S (synthesis), & G2 phases; DNA replication occurs in S.
- Mitosis (division): Prophase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase.
- Cytokinesis (cytoplasm separation).

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Description

Test your knowledge on macromolecules, the large organic molecules that form all living organisms. This quiz covers the four main types: carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids. Learn about their structure, functions, and importance in biological systems.