Biomolecules Flashcards
Chemicals for living
What are biomolecules?
Biomolecules are organic molecules that are essential for life, including proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, and lipids.
Which of the following is NOT a type of biomolecule? A) Protein B) Lipid C) Salt
C) Salt
True or False: Carbohydrates are primarily used for energy storage in living organisms.
True
Fill in the blank: The basic building blocks of proteins are called _______.
amino acids
What is the primary function of nucleic acids?
The primary function of nucleic acids is to store and transmit genetic information.
Which biomolecule is responsible for catalyzing biochemical reactions?
Enzymes, which are a type of protein, are responsible for catalyzing biochemical reactions.
How many essential amino acids are there?
There are nine essential amino acids.
True or False: Lipids are soluble in water.
False
What are macromolecules?
Macromolecules are large, complex molecules, typically made up of smaller units called monomers.
Which of the following is a macromolecule? A) Glucose B) DNA C) Water
B) DNA
Fill in the blank: _______ are the macromolecules that serve as the main source of energy for living organisms.
Carbohydrates
What type of bond links amino acids together in proteins?
Peptide bonds
True or False: All fats are lipids, but not all lipids are fats.
True
What are the two main types of nucleic acids?
DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) and RNA (ribonucleic acid)
Which macromolecule is composed of long chains of nucleotides?
Nucleic acids
What is the role of carbohydrates in cell structure?
Carbohydrates play a crucial role in providing structural support, such as in the cell wall of plants.
True or False: Saturated fats contain one or more double bonds between carbon atoms.
False
What are polysaccharides?
Polysaccharides are long chains of monosaccharides linked together, serving as energy storage or structural components.
Fill in the blank: The molecule _______ is known as the ‘energy currency’ of the cell.
ATP (adenosine triphosphate)
What is the primary function of lipids in biological systems?
The primary function of lipids includes energy storage, insulation, and forming cell membranes.
Which type of biomolecule can act as hormones?
Lipids, specifically steroid hormones.
True or False: Proteins can serve as antibodies in the immune system.
True
What is the difference between DNA and RNA?
DNA stores genetic information, while RNA is involved in protein synthesis.
What is a triglyceride?
A triglyceride is a type of lipid made up of one glycerol molecule and three fatty acids.
Fill in the blank: The process of building macromolecules from monomers is called _______.
polymerization
What are the four main types of biomolecules?
Proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, and lipids.
True or False: Enzymes are not affected by temperature or pH.
False
What is the term for the specific region on an enzyme where the substrate binds?
Active site
Which biomolecule is primarily responsible for genetic inheritance?
Nucleic acids (DNA)
Fill in the blank: _______ are the simplest form of carbohydrates.
Monosaccharides
What is Biology?
The study of life
What are enzymes?
Enzymes are biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions in living organisms.
True or False: Enzymes are consumed in the reactions they catalyze.
False.
Fill in the blank: Enzymes lower the _____ of a chemical reaction.
activation energy.
What is a catalyst?
A catalyst is a substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without being consumed.
Which of the following is NOT a property of enzymes? A) Specificity B) Reusability C) Irreversibility
C) Irreversibility.
What is the active site of an enzyme?
The active site is the region on the enzyme where the substrate binds and the reaction occurs.
True or False: Enzymes can work on multiple substrates.
False.
What effect does temperature have on enzyme activity?
Enzyme activity typically increases with temperature up to an optimal point, after which it decreases due to denaturation.
What is an enzyme’s optimal pH?
The optimal pH is the pH level at which an enzyme exhibits maximum activity.
Define substrate in the context of enzymes.
A substrate is the reactant molecule upon which an enzyme acts.
Fill in the blank: Enzymes are usually _____ proteins.
globular.
What role do cofactors play in enzyme activity?
Cofactors are non-protein molecules that assist enzymes in catalyzing reactions.
True or False: All enzymes require cofactors to function.
False.
What is enzyme inhibition?
Enzyme inhibition is the process by which a substance decreases or halts the activity of an enzyme.
Name one type of enzyme inhibition.
Competitive inhibition.
