BIOCHEMISTRY

Here’s everything you need to know about biochemistry for the Living Environment Regents, formatted like Knowt flashcards (Q&A style, simple and Regents-ready):

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Biochemistry – Knowt Flashcards Format

Q: What are the 4 major organic compounds in living things?

A: Carbohydrates, Proteins, Lipids, Nucleic Acids

Q: What are the building blocks of carbohydrates?

A: Simple sugars (monosaccharides like glucose)

Q: What are the building blocks of proteins?

A: Amino acids

Q: What are the building blocks of lipids (fats)?

A: Fatty acids and glycerol

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

A: Nucleotides (sugar, phosphate, nitrogen base)

Q: What are enzymes?

A: Proteins that speed up chemical reactions (biological catalysts)

Q: What affects enzyme function?

A: Temperature and pH — too high or too low denatures enzyme

Q: What does “enzyme specificity” mean?

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

Q: What is the function of carbohydrates?

A: Provide quick energy (ex: glucose, starch)

Q: What is the function of lipids?

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

Q: What is the function of proteins?

A: Build and repair tissues, enzymes, hormones, immune defense

Q: What is the function of nucleic acids?

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

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

A: Iodine test; turns blue-black if starch is present

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

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

Q: What happens to enzymes at high temperatures or wrong pH?

A: They denature (change shape and stop working)

Q: What is the role of water in biochemistry?

A: Solvent for chemical reactions, helps transport, maintains temperature

Q: What is synthesis?

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

Q: What is hydrolysis?

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

Q: What does it mean when an enzyme is “denatured”?

A: Its shape changes, and it no longer works

Q: What is a catalyst?

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

Q: What are examples of carbohydrates?

A: Glucose, sucrose, starch, cellulose

Q: What are examples of proteins?

A: Enzymes, hemoglobin, antibodies, hormones like insulin

Q: What are examples of lipids?

A: Fats, oils, waxes, steroids

Q: What are examples of nucleic acids?

A: DNA and RNA

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