unit two

What are the main types of organic molecules?

Carbohydrates, Proteins, Lipids, Nucleic acids.

Organic molecules generally contain which elements?

Carbon, oxygen, sulfur, nitrogen, hydrogen, and phosphorus.

What is the general formula for carbohydrates?

Cx(H2O) where x is the number of carbon atoms.

Monosaccharides have the general formula of which form?

(CH2O)n where n > 3.

glucose

common carbohydrates

Which two forms of glucose are polysaccharides?

Amylose and amylopectin.

What is the primary use of triose (C3H6O3)?

Used in cellular respiration and photosynthesis.

What are pentoses?

Monosaccharides with five carbon atoms, examples include ribose.

What are hexoses?

Monosaccharides with six carbon atoms, includes glucose, fructose, and galactose.

What are disaccharides?

Carbohydrates formed from two monosaccharides joined by a glycosidic bond.

What is maltose composed of?

Two glucose molecules.

What is the composition of lactose?

Glucose + Galactose.

What is sucrose made of?

Glucose + Fructose.

What is starch used for in plants?

Food storage.

What is glycogen used for in animals?

Food storage.

What is cellulose?

A structural component of plant cell walls.

What is the main characteristic of lipids?

They are hydrophobic and insoluble in water.

What are the two main types of fatty acids?

Saturated and unsaturated fatty acids.

What is the structure of a glycerol molecule?

Contains 3 carbon atoms and 3 hydroxyl (OH) groups.

What are phospholipids composed of?

Fatty acids and a carboxyl group.

What is the function of lipids in the body?

Source of heat and energy, aid in digestion, hormone synthesis.

What elements make up proteins?

Oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur.

What are proteins made of?

Amino acids.

What bond connects amino acids?

Peptide bond.

Describe the primary structure of proteins.

Linear sequence of amino acids.

What describes the secondary structure of proteins?

Peptide chains folded into structures like α-helices or β-pleated sheets.

What is the tertiary structure of a protein?

Globular or compact shape formed by folding.

What is quaternary protein structure?

Complex proteins made of more than one polypeptide chain.

What type of protein has a ball-like structure?

Globular proteins.

What are nucleic acids?

Polymers of nucleotides.

What are the components of a nucleotide?

Phosphoric Acid, Pentose Sugar, Organic N-Base.

What differentiates DNA from RNA?

DNA contains deoxyribose and is a double polynucleotide chain.

What is the main function of ATP?

Key energy carrier for osmotic work and muscular contraction.

What is the role of NAD in cells?

Electron carrier important in respiration.

What does water act as due to its properties?

A universal solvent and participates in chemical reactions.

Name a property of water that is important for temperature regulation.

High latent heat.

What process does water facilitate in plants?

Osmosis and transpiration.

What is the role of calcium (Ca) in the body?

Strengthens bones and teeth.

What does sulfur (S) contribute to?

Protein synthesis.

What element is essential for chlorophyll synthesis?

Nitrogen (N).

What does phosphorus (P) contribute to?

Nucleic acids and phospholipids in cell membranes.

What is the function of magnesium (Mg) in plants?

Part of the chlorophyll structure.

What is the function of sodium (Na) in the body?

Maintains electric potential and conducts nerve impulses.

What can lead to anemia?

Deficiency of iron (Fe).

What is the role of iodine (I) in the body?

Crucial for the hormone thyroxine.

What are trace elements?

Minerals required in very small amounts for proper biological functions.

Define hydrophobic molecules.

Molecules that do not dissolve in water.

What is a characteristic of saturated fatty acids?

They have single bonds.

What is a characteristic of unsaturated fatty acids?

They have double bonds.

What are waxes composed of?

Fatty acids and alcohol.

What is the role of water in blood transport?

Helps in transporting nutrients and gases.

How does water aid in cooling in animals?

Through evaporation.

What are glycerol and its structure?

A three-carbon alcohol used in lipids.

What is ribose?

A pentose sugar found in RNA.

What is deoxyribose?

A pentose sugar found in DNA.

What is the primary function of mRNA?

It carries genetic information from DNA for protein synthesis.

What do tRNA molecules do?

Transfer amino acids to the ribosome during protein synthesis.

What is rRNA essential for?

The formation of ribosomes.

Define the term 'polysaccharide'.

A polymer formed from many monosaccharides.

What is a glycosidic bond?

A bond formed between two monosaccharides.

What are coenzymes?

Organic molecules that assist enzymes in their function.

How does water function as a cooling mechanism?

Through the process of evaporation.

What is the primary role of ATP in cellular functions?

Provide energy for various biochemical processes.

What is a unique feature of RNA compared to DNA?

RNA is single-stranded and has uracil instead of thymine.

What is the role of nickel (Ni) in living organisms?

Essential for the function of some enzymes.

What types of biological substances can be derived from living organisms?

Biochemical substances such as proteins, nucleic acids, and polysaccharides.

What are enzyme cofactors?

Minerals or organic molecules that assist enzymes in catalysis.

What does the term 'osmoregulation' refer to?

The process of maintaining water and solute balance within an organism.

What is the primary function of cellulose?

Provides structural support in plant cell walls.

Describe the electron transfer role of iron (Fe).

Important for oxygen transport and electron transfers in respiration.

What is an example of a trace element necessary for thyroid function?

Iodine (I).

Differentiation between purines and pyrimidines in nucleic acids.

Purines have double rings, while pyrimidines have single rings.

What is uracil's role in nucleic acids?

It substitutes for thymine in RNA.

Why is the stability of DNA important?

It ensures the long-term storage of genetic information.

What is a characteristic of fatty acids?

They can be saturated or unsaturated based on the presence of double bonds.

How do enzymes act on substrates?

They bind and catalyze chemical reactions.

Which element is a key component of chlorophyll?

Magnesium (Mg).

State the significance of peptide bonds in proteins.

They link amino acids together to form proteins.

Why is water referred to as a universal solvent?

It can dissolve a variety of substances due to its polarity.

What is the significance of nucleotides?

They are the building blocks of nucleic acids like RNA and DNA.

What is the main purpose of enzymes in biochemical reactions?

To accelerate the rate of reactions.

Define the concept of hydration shells.

Layers of solvent molecules that surround solute particles.

What is the role of lipids in cell membranes?

They provide structural integrity and fluidity.

What property of proteins allows them to perform a variety of functions?

Their diverse structures and formations.

What composes a phospholipid's structure?

A hydrophilic head and two hydrophobic tails.

How do enzymes lower activation energy?

By stabilizing the transition state during a reaction.