Chapter 3: Organic Molecules Review

25 flashcards reviewing organic molecules, their monomers, polymers, and the four major classes (carbohydrates, nucleic acids, proteins, lipids) along with key concepts like dehydration synthesis, hydrolysis, and protein structure.

What defines an organic molecule in biology?

It contains carbon and hydrogen (and may include other elements).

In biology, which organisms can synthesize organic molecules from sunlight or inorganic sources?

Autotrophs.

Which organisms obtain energy by consuming organic molecules produced by autotrophs?

Heterotrophs.

What are the four main classes of organic molecules covered in this chapter?

Carbohydrates, nucleic acids, lipids, and proteins.

In chemistry, what is a polymer?

A large molecule made up of many monomers linked together.

What is a monomer?

The small subunit that repeats to build a polymer.

What process links monomers to form polymers?

Dehydration synthesis (condensation).

What process breaks polymers into monomers?

Hydrolysis.

What are the monomers of carbohydrates?

Sugars (monosaccharides).

What is the simplest carbohydrate called?

A monosaccharide (single sugar), such as glucose.

What is a disaccharide?

A carbohydrate formed from two monosaccharides.

What is the typical formula/ratio for carbohydrates?

Approximately C1:H2:O1; e.g., C6H12O6.

What is an oligosaccharide?

A carbohydrate with roughly 3 to 100 monosaccharide units.

What is a polysaccharide?

A carbohydrate with more than 100 monosaccharide units.

What are the monomers of nucleic acids?

Nucleotides (consisting of a sugar, a phosphate, and a nitrogenous base).

What are the two main nucleic acids?

DNA and RNA.

What sugar distinguishes DNA from RNA?

DNA contains deoxyribose; RNA contains ribose.

Do DNA and RNA share the same nitrogenous bases?

They share three bases; DNA uses thymine and RNA uses uracil.

What reaction adds nucleotides to form nucleic acids?

Dehydration synthesis (condensation).

What are the monomers of proteins?

Amino acids.

What is the basic structure of an amino acid?

A central carbon attached to an amino group, a carboxyl group, a hydrogen, and an R group.

What is the bond that links amino acids in a protein?

Peptide bond.

What are the four levels of protein structure?

Primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary structures.

What is denaturation in proteins?

Loss of protein structure and function due to heat, pH changes, or salt.

What are the four main classes/types of lipids discussed?

Triglycerides, sterols, waxes, and phospholipids.