6.2 Study Guide Flashcards
True or False: Amino acids are the monomers of proteins and combine to form polymers called triglycerides.
False. While amino acids are the monomers of proteins, they combine to form polymers called polypeptides. Triglycerides are the polymers of fatty acids and are an example of lipids.
Fill in the blank: The monomers of carbohydrates are known as _____ and form polymers known as _____, while the monomers of nucleic acids are known as _____ and form polymers known as _____ and _____.
The monomers of carbohydrates are known as MONOSACCHARIDES and form polymers known as POLYSACCHARIDES, while the monomers of nucleic acids are known as NUCLEOTIDES and form polymers known as DNA and RNA.
Extra Credit Question: What are the full names of RNA and DNA (what do they stand for)?
RNA stands for Ribonucleic Acid, while DNA stands for Deoxyribonucleic Acid.
Describe the functions of both nucleic acids and proteins and explain why proteins’ functions make nucleic acids so important.
Nucleic acids form into DNA and RNA. DNA is a type of stored chemical ‘code’ or ‘instruction’ that is translated into RNA, which is then used to stimulate the production of proteins within cells. Proteins have a massive variety of functions depending on the protein, meaning proteins are vital to almost every function of the body. Specific orders of nucleic acids in DNA and RNA translate to the production of proteins with specific amino acid orders and, thus, functions. Without nucleic acids causing the production of specific proteins, the body would not be able to function whatsoever, making nucleic acids incredibly vital to life.
Explain the difference in function within animals between carbohydrates and lipids and describe how that translates to what the body does differently with the two biomolecules.
While carbohydrates and lipids are both utilized for energy storage and release within animals, carbohydrates are consumed and digested quickly, providing short-term energy production, while lipids store for longer and are utilized mainly when there is no other energy available. This makes it so that high amounts of lipids are naturally saved and stored in animal bodies for use when alternative energy, like that received from carbohydrates, is unavailable, leading to the production of body fat and other products.
Which 3 elements do all four primary biomolecules have? Which biomolecules have more than just the 3?
All four primary biomolecules are at least partially built out of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. However, proteins and nucleic acids also contain nitrogen, nucleic acids and some lipids contain phosphorus, and some proteins contain sulfur.
Which functional group is extremely prolific in monosaccharides? Which functional group differentiates nucleotides from almost every other monomer?
Monosaccharides consist of high amounts of hydroxyl groups and nucleotides are differentiated from almost every other monomer by their phosphate groups.
Which functional group is shared between amino acids and fatty acids? What functional group do amino acids have that fatty acids don’t?
While amino acids and fatty acids both have carboxyl groups, amino acids also include amino groups, hence the name.
Glucose, Fructose, and Galactose are examples of which type of monomer? Give an example of a polysaccharide that can be made using 1 or more of these monomers.
Glucose, Fructose, and Galactose are all examples of monosaccharides. Many Glucose monomers chained together form Starch.
Give two examples of lipid polymers (can just be the common names for them) and one example of a protein polymer.
Lipid polymers include: Fats, Oils, Waxes, Phospholipids
Protein polymers include: Antibodies, Actin, Glucagon Receptors, Amylase
Which two biomolecule types consist at least partially of ringed structures? What are some of the structural distinctions between them?
Both carbohydrates and nucleic acids are made up of ringed structures. The glaring structural difference between the two is the plus-shaped phosphate group found within all nucleic acids. Additionally, nucleotides consist of multiple ringed structures bonded to each other, while monosaccharides are made of just one ring.
The monomers of proteins and lipids are both roughly shaped into what structure? What are some differences between the two?
The monomers of both proteins (amino acids) and lipids (fatty acids) are roughly shaped into linear structures. Amino acids, however, are shaped more like Ts, with multiple branch-outs at one end, while fatty acids are just long, straight chains of carbon and hydrogen.
