Organic Molecules

What are carbohydrates primarily used for in organisms?

They are a major source of energy, particularly short term.

What are the elements that make up carbohydrates?

Carbohydrates are made up of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen.

What is the monomer of carbohydrates?

The monomer of carbohydrates is a monosaccharide.

How do carbohydrates function in plants and animals?

They help maintain structure within the cells.

What are proteins made up of?

Proteins are made up of chains of amino acids.

How many amino acids can combine to form various protein molecules?

20 amino acids.

What are some functions of proteins in organisms?

Proteins compose enzymes, hormones, antibodies, and structural components.

What are lipids also known as?

Lipids are often referred to as fats and oils.

What are the components that make up lipids?

Lipids are composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, specifically glycerol and fatty acids.

What are the primary functions of lipids?

They provide insulation, store energy long term, and cushion internal organs.

What types of bonds do saturated and unsaturated lipids have?

Saturated lipids have single bonds with hydrogen, while unsaturated lipids have double bonds.

What is the role of nucleic acids?

Nucleic acids direct the instruction of proteins and carry genetic information.

What are the two types of nucleic acids?

DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) and RNA (ribonucleic acid).

What property of water allows it to exhibit capillary action?

Water's adhesion property allows it to be attracted to other molecules.

What is cohesion in relation to water?

Cohesion is the attraction of water molecules to themselves.

What is the significance of water's high heat of vaporization?

It allows for processes like sweating to help cool down organisms.

How does ice compare to liquid water in terms of density?

Ice is less dense than liquid water, allowing it to float.

What is a solvent, and why is water considered one of the best solvents?

A solvent dissolves substances; water can effectively dissolve many polar molecules.

What is a mutation?

A change in genetic code.

What happens to mutations that occur in sex cells?

They can be transmitted to offspring.

What are the two main categories of mutations?

Gene mutations and chromosome mutations.

What is a silent mutation?

A mutation that has no phenotypic effect.

What is phenylketonuria (PKU)?

A genetic disease caused by mutations affecting enzyme function.

What is a frameshift mutation?

A mutation caused by additions or deletions that alters the reading frame of a gene.

What is the result of a substitution mutation?

It may have no effect or change a single amino acid in a protein.

How does the structure of proteins relate to their function?

The structure of proteins determines how they function in biological processes.

What is cellular respiration?

A process that converts food molecules into energy.

What are the three stages of cellular respiration?

Glycolysis, Krebs cycle, and Electron Transport chain.

What is the equation for cellular respiration?

C6H12O6 + 6O2 → 6CO2 + 6H2O + ENERGY (36 ATP).

What is the role of photosynthesis in plants?

Plants convert sunlight into energy stored as carbohydrates.

What is the equation for photosynthesis?

6CO2 + 6H2O + ENERGY (from sunlight) → C6H12O6 + 6O2.

How are photosynthesis and cellular respiration interrelated?

The products of photosynthesis are the reactants for cellular respiration and vice versa.

What is ATP and its role in cells?

ATP stores and releases energy for cellular processes.

What happens to ATP when a phosphate group is removed?

Energy is released and ATP becomes ADP.

What is fermentation and when does it occur?

Fermentation occurs when cells lack oxygen to continue producing ATP.

What are the two types of fermentation?

Lactic acid fermentation and alcoholic fermentation.

What is aerobic respiration?

Respiration that requires oxygen and occurs in three stages.

What is anaerobic respiration?

Respiration that occurs without oxygen and produces less energy.

What factors affect enzyme activity?

pH, temperature, and quantity of enzyme.

What is passive transport?

Movement of substances across the plasma membrane without using the cell's energy.

What is osmosis?

The diffusion of water across the plasma membrane.

What is the difference between hypotonic, hypertonic, and isotonic solutions?

Hypotonic solutions cause cells to swell, hypertonic solutions cause cells to shrivel, and isotonic solutions maintain equilibrium.

What is endocytosis?

The process of bringing large particles into the cell.

What is exocytosis?

The process of large particles leaving the cell.

What is homeostasis?

The process of maintaining internal equilibrium within an organism.

What role do mitochondria and chloroplasts play in cells?

They are involved in energy production; mitochondria in all cells, chloroplasts in plant cells.

What is the rough endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and its function?

The rough ER contains ribosomes and is involved in protein synthesis.