BIOCHEMISTRY

What are the 4 major organic compounds in living things?

Carbohydrates, Proteins, Lipids, Nucleic Acids

What are the building blocks of carbohydrates?

Simple sugars (monosaccharides like glucose)

What are the building blocks of proteins?

Amino acids

What are the building blocks of lipids (fats)?

Fatty acids and glycerol

What are the building blocks of nucleic acids (DNA & RNA)?

Nucleotides (sugar, phosphate, nitrogen base)

What are enzymes?

Proteins that speed up chemical reactions (biological catalysts)

What affects enzyme function?

Temperature and pH — too high or too low denatures enzyme

What does 'enzyme specificity' mean?

Each enzyme fits one substrate (like a lock and key)

What is the function of carbohydrates?

Provide quick energy (ex: glucose, starch)

What is the function of lipids?

Long-term energy storage, insulation, and make up cell membranes

What is the function of proteins?

Build and repair tissues, enzymes, hormones, immune defense

What is the function of nucleic acids?

Store genetic information (DNA) and help make proteins (RNA)

What is the test for starch? What does a positive result look like?

Iodine test; turns blue-black if starch is present

What is the test for glucose? What does a positive result look like?

Benedict’s solution + heat; turns orange/red if glucose is present

What happens to enzymes at high temperatures or wrong pH?

They denature (change shape and stop working)

What is the role of water in biochemistry?

Solvent for chemical reactions, helps transport, maintains temperature

What is synthesis?

Combining small molecules to make a larger one (ex: glucose → starch)

What is hydrolysis?

Breaking down large molecules into smaller ones using water (ex: protein → amino acids)

What does it mean when an enzyme is 'denatured'?

Its shape changes, and it no longer works

What is a catalyst?

A substance that speeds up chemical reactions (enzymes are biological catalysts)

What are examples of carbohydrates?

Glucose, sucrose, starch, cellulose

What are examples of proteins?

Enzymes, hemoglobin, antibodies, hormones like insulin

What are examples of lipids?

Fats, oils, waxes, steroids

What are examples of nucleic acids?

DNA and RNA

What does organic mean?

It contains both carbon (C) and hydrogen (H).

What are the main elements found in living things?

Carbon (C), Hydrogen (H), Oxygen (O), Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), and Sulfur (S)

What is ATP and what is its function?

ATP (adenosine triphosphate) is the main energy molecule used by cells.

What is dehydration synthesis?

The process of joining two molecules together by removing water.

What is hydrolysis?

The process of breaking down molecules by adding water.

What does inorganic mean?

A compound that does not contain both carbon and hydrogen (examples: water, oxygen, carbon dioxide)