Biological Molecules

Question 1

Name the different types of bonds

Answer 1

Ionic - gain and loss of electrons
Covalent - Sharing electrons
Polar - Not all electrons shared equally due to different electronegativities
Hydrogen Bonds - Very strong and between H-NOF
Van Der Waals - Weak and relatively short lived.

Question 2

Why are bonds so important?

Answer 2

They contribute to inter and intramolecular interactions

Question 3

Describe the features of sugars

Answer 3

They are a source of energy that can adopt various different shapes. They have the general chemical structure (CH2O)n

Question 4

Describe some of the features about carbohydrates

Answer 4

They are composed of sugars joined together and they can be stored

Question 5

Describe some features of fatty acids

Answer 5

These can be saturated or unsaturated, hydrophilic or hydrophobic and are an important component of cell membranes

Question 6

What are fatty acids stored as?

Answer 6

Triacyl Gylcerol.

Question 7

Describe some features of steroids

Answer 7

Composed of four carbon rings with functional groups attached.

Question 8

Describe some features of amino acids

Answer 8

They can be polymerised to form polypeptides via peptide bonds.
Contain side chains that can have different polarities.

Question 9

Name some uses of amino acids

Answer 9

Sources of energy, neurotransmitters and precursors for other molecules

Question 10

Describe some features of nucleotides

Answer 10

Nitrogen ring linked to five carbon sugars.
They can be used as short term energy stores, stores of electrons, co-factors for enzymes, signalling molecules and building blocks for nucleic acid.