Biological Molecules

Question 1

What is meant by the statement that ‘all living things have the same biochemical basis’?

Answer 1

All contain the same group of carbon-based compounds that interact in the same way- nucleic acid as genetic material (DNA) and amino acids as proteins

Question 2

What are monomers?

Answer 2

small units which form larger molecules

Question 3

What is a polymer?

Answer 3

large molecules made up of long chains of monomers

Question 4

Examples of monomers

Answer 4

monosaccharides, glycerol, amino acids and nucleotides

Question 5

How are polymers formed from monomers?

Answer 5

Condensation reaction- formation of a glycosidic bond between two molecules, releasing a water molecule

Question 6

What is a hydrolysis reaction?

Answer 6

The reaction that breaks the glycosidic bond between the two molecules, using a water molecule

Question 7

What is a larger carbohydrate made from?

Answer 7

monosaccharide monomers

Question 8

Examples of Monosaccharides

Answer 8

glucose, fructose, galactose