Organic Compounds and Macromolecules

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Questions and Answers

What are Organic Compounds?

Organic compounds are compounds that have bonds between carbon (C) atoms.

Why are Carbon atoms able to form many different compounds?

Because each Carbon atom has 4 electrons available for bonding, allowing it to form up to 4 covalent bonds.

What are macromolecules?

Macromolecules are large molecules composed of many smaller molecules called monomers, often containing tens, hundreds, or even thousands of carbon atoms.

What is the process by which polymers are formed?

Polymerization is the process of joining smaller molecules (monomers) together to create larger molecules (polymers). Signup and view all the answers

Condensation polymerization involves the addition of a water molecule to join monomers.

False Signup and view all the answers

Hydrolysis is the process of breaking down polymers into monomers by adding a water molecule.

True Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following are examples of monomers?

Glucose Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a macromolecule found in living things?

Water Signup and view all the answers

What are carbohydrates primarily composed of?

Carbohydrates are primarily composed of carbon (C), hydrogen (H), and oxygen (O) atoms. Signup and view all the answers

What is the typical ratio of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms in a carbohydrate molecule?

The typical ratio of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms in a carbohydrate molecule is 1:2:1 (C:H:O). Signup and view all the answers

What is the simplest form of carbohydrate?

The simplest form of carbohydrate is a monosaccharide, a simple sugar. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a monosaccharide?

Glucose Signup and view all the answers

What is a disaccharide?

A disaccharide is a carbohydrate formed when two monosaccharides link together. Signup and view all the answers

What are polysaccharides?

Polysaccharides are complex carbohydrates made up of many monosaccharides linked together. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following are examples of polysaccharides?

Starch Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of starch?

Starch is the primary form of food storage in plants. It stores excess sugar for later use. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of cellulose in plants?

Cellulose forms the cell walls of plants, giving them structural support and rigidity. Signup and view all the answers

What is glycogen used for in animals?

Glycogen serves as the primary form of food storage in animals. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main characteristic of lipids?

Lipids are characterized by having a large proportion of carbon-hydrogen (C-H) bonds. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Organic Compounds

Organic compounds are compounds that contain bonds between carbon atoms.
Carbon has four valence electrons, allowing it to form four covalent bonds.
Carbon can bond with other carbon atoms or other elements.
Carbon atoms can bond and form straight chains, branched chains, or rings.
Macromolecules are large molecules containing tens, hundreds, or thousands of carbon atoms.
Polymers are large molecules formed by many smaller molecules called monomers bonded together.
Polymerization involves linking smaller molecules to create larger ones.
Condensation (dehydration) polymerization involves the release of a water molecule during monomer bonding.
Hydrolysis involves breaking down polymers, splitting a water molecule, and separating monomers.

Four Macromolecules

Four main macromolecules in living organisms are carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids, and proteins.

Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates are organic compounds made of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, usually with a 1:2:1 ratio.
They store and release energy.
Monosaccharides are the simplest carbohydrates, single sugars like glucose, fructose, and galactose.
Disaccharides are two monosaccharides linked together, such as sucrose (table sugar) and lactose.
Polysaccharides are complex carbohydrates, the largest carbohydrate molecules. Examples include:
- Starch: Plant energy storage (e.g., potatoes).
- Cellulose: Plant structural support (e.g., wood, paper).
- Glycogen: Animal energy storage (e.g., broken down to glucose when blood sugar is low).

Lipids

Lipids are organic compounds with a large proportion of carbon-hydrogen bonds. They are insoluble in water.
Common lipids include fats, oils, and waxes, and steroids (chemical messengers).
Lipids are used for long-term energy storage, insulation, membrane structure, and waterproof coverings.
Lipids are composed of glycerol combined with fatty acids.
Fatty acids are chains of carbon.
Saturated fats have single bonds between carbon atoms, are solid at room temperature, and have high melting points (e.g., butter, steak fat).
Unsaturated fats have at least one double bond between carbon atoms, are liquid at room temperature, and have low melting points (e.g., olive oil).
Polyunsaturated fats have more than one double bond and are liquid at room temperature (e.g., cooking oils).

Nucleic Acids

Nucleic acids are complex macromolecules containing carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and phosphorus.
They are polymers made of monomers called nucleotides.
Nucleotides consist of a 5-carbon sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base.
Nucleic acids store and transmit genetic information.
DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) is the master copy of genetic information; determines how an organism looks and acts.
RNA (ribonucleic acid) copies DNA for protein synthesis.

Proteins

Proteins are large, complex polymers made of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and sometimes sulfur.
Proteins carry out cell metabolism.
Amino acids are the basic building blocks of proteins.
Amino acids have an amino group (-NH2) and a carboxyl group (-COOH) on opposite ends.
The R-group (side chain) is different for each amino acid.
There are 20 common amino acids.
A peptide bond is a covalent bond between amino acids.
The order of amino acids determines the protein's type.
Proteins perform many functions such as:
- Carrying out chemical reactions (enzymes).
- Regulating cell processes.
- Forming cell membranes.
- Transporting molecules.
- Fighting diseases (antibodies).
- Forming structures (bones, muscles, hair, nails, horns, hooves).
- Muscle contraction.
- Oxygen transport in blood.
Enzymes are proteins that act as catalysts, speeding up chemical reactions and playing crucial roles in various metabolic processes (digestion, synthesis, energy storage/release).
Enzyme activity is affected by pH and temperature.

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Description

Explore the fascinating world of organic compounds and their relation to macromolecules. This quiz covers important concepts such as polymerization, macromolecule types, and the role of carbon in forming various structures. Test your understanding of carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids, and proteins.