1.1 Introduction to biological molecules

Question 1

Name the three ways that atoms may combine

Answer 1

• Ionic bonding: Ions with opposite charges attract
• Covalent bonding: Atoms share a pair of electrons in their outer shell
• Hydrogen bonding: The electrons within a molecule are not evenly distributed but tend to spend more time on one side which will be negatively charged. A molecule like this is said to be a polar molecule

Question 2

What are the two processes that either break or form polymers

Answer 2

Hydrolysis
Condensation

Question 3

Define metabolism

Answer 3

All the chemical processes that take place in living organisms

Question 4

What happens in a condensation reaction(3)

Answer 4

• Two molecules join together
• Forming a chemical bond
• Releasing a water molecule

water is a product

Question 5

What happens in a hydrolysis reaction (3)

Answer 5

• Two Molecules are separated
• Breaking a chemical bond
• Using a water molecule

Water is a reactant

Question 6

What elements would a carbohydrate contains

Answer 6

C H O