Proteins, Nucleic Acids, the Nitrogen Cycle, and the Phosphorus Cycle Quiz

Protein

a functional biological molecule consisting of one or more polypeptides folded into a 3D structure

What is the monomer of proteins?

Amino acids

Do proteins have simple or complex structures?

complex and varied

proteins act as __ that regulate chemical reactions within cells

enzymes

What makes up ligaments and tendons?

proteins

The function of proteins depend on…

shape

Denaturation

When a protein unravels, losing its specific structure and function

ex) the separation of DNA strands

Amino acids

an organic molecule containing a carboxyl group and an amino group

Peptide bond

the covalent bond between two amino acids in a polypeptide

polypeptide

a chain of amino acids

Primary structure of proteins

the 1st level of structure that is just a chain of amino acids (polypeptide)

secondary structure of proteins

the regular pattern of coils or folds of a polypeptide chain

Tertiary structure of proteins

The 3D shape formed by folded proteins

Quaternary structure of proteins

The 3D structure of many polypeptide chains folded and linked together through peptide bonds

Where is nitrogen found?

Soil and atmosphere

What’s the largest reservoir for nitrogen?

Atmosphere

Nitrogen fixation

The conversion of atmospheric nitrogen (N2) to nitrogen compounds (NH4+ and NO3-) that plants can absorb and use

What do plants use nitrogen for?

Building proteins

Can plants and animals directly absorb nitrogen from the atmosphere?

No

How do animals get nitrogen?

Eating plants

The ______ of plants and animals and the ___ of animals release nitrogen

The death/decomposition and the waste

What is phosphorus in (atomically)?

Nucleus acids, phospholipids, and ATP

What’s the only source of phosphorus on earth?

Rocks (meteorites and earth lithosphere/crust)

What’s the function of Human Growth Hormone?

● Allows for tissues, organs, cartilage, and

bones to grow in the human body

● It stimulates protein synthesis and increases fat hydrolysis, which gives the body more energy to allow for tissue growth (mitosis)

Insulin function

Insulin clears glucose from the blood and stores it as glycogen. If a person lacks insulin (has diabetes), glucose builds up in the bloodstream instead of going into your cells for energy, so they have to inject insulin into their blood.

Keratin

Forms the hair, skin, and nails. Also aids the body in healing wounds and strengthening skin

Collagen

Improves hair health and growth and promotes bone and muscle growth.

Hemoglobin

Found in the bloodstream. Carries oxygen to and CO2 from cells

Myosin and actin

Proteins that allow muscle movement by pulling on one another

Melanin

Produces skin, eye, and hair pigmentation and protects skin from UV rays

Salivary amylase

Initiates digestion of carbs and breaks down complex starches

Thyroxine

Controls how much energy the body uses

Albumin

Keeps fluid from leaking out of the cells into body tissues

What are the general functions of proteins?

Enzyme, storage, signal, contractile, defense, transport, receptor, structural

What elements are proteins made of?

C, O, H, N

What does this show?

A monomer of proteins

What does this image show?

Polymer of proteins

How many proteins are in this image?

4 —- four nitrogen atoms

What atom does every protein have one of?

Nitrogen

what does this image show?

Nucelic acid monomer

What determines the polarity and therefore function of amino acids?

R groups

How do protein polymers form?

Dehydration synthesis and peptide bonds

What organisms make proteins?

all living things

What cycles are necessary to make proteins?

Water, carbon, and nitrogen cycles

What elements are in nucleic acids?

CHONP

What does this image show?

monomer of nucleic acids

What does this image show?

Polymer of nucleic acids

What are the monomers of nucleic acids called?

Nucleotides

What are the polymers of nucleic acids called?

Polynucleotides

Function of nucleic acids

Protein synthesis and storage of genetic info

What cycles are needed to make nucleic acids?

Water, carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus cycle

What is the first step of the nitrogen cycle?

Bacteria traps nitrogen gas from the air (atmosphere) in the soil

How does nitrogen enter plants?

it is absorbed through the roots after being “fixed”

Why can’t plants absorb nitrogen from the atmosphere?

N2 is non-polar and can’t be absorbed by water

What is the second step of the nitrogen cycle?

Nitrogen-fixing bacteria changes nitrogen gas into (NH4+) solid ammonium

In the nitrogen cycle, once N2 is changed to NH4, what happens?

Hydrogen atoms in NH4 bond with oxygen atoms. The molecule is dissolved in water because it’s polar

What is the third step of the nitrogen cycle?

NH4 is dissolved in groundwater and absorbed into plant roots

In step 3, nitrogen is _____ into amino acids with carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen atoms

Assimilated

What is the fourth step of the nitrogen cycle?

Bacteria converts some NH4 to NO3- which gets dissolved in water

What is the fifth step of the nitrogen cycle?

NO3- is absorbed by plant roots and assimilates into amino acids with C, H, and O

What is the sixth step of the nitrogen cycle?

Animals get proteins by eating plants and digesting them into amino acids

What is the seventh step of the nitrogen cycle?

Bacteria and fungi decompose dead plants and animals, releasing nitrogen into the atmosphere.

What is the eighth step of the nitrogen cycle?

Bacteria can convert NH4 and NO3 back into non-polar N2 and release it into the air

How do carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen first get into a plant?

Photosynthesis

Which cycles/processes come first, and which second?

photosynthesis and water cycle first, then nitrogen

Humans can’t make ____ but plants can

Organic molecules

plants need nitrogen atoms to be polar so the atoms are able to…

Dissolve in water (can be absorbed through the roots)

What is a major component in the breaking down, rearranging, and movement of nitrogen?

Bacteria

If there’s a __ atom, it’s a nucleic acid

Phosphorus

DNA and RNA

DNA is the instruction to make your traits. RNA follows instructions and makes proteins for the traits

What allows phosphorus to get into the lithosphere/crust?

Tectonic plate movements (converging, diverging, volcanic activity) and the weathering of rocks over time

The erosion of rocks goes into…

Bodies of water and soil