Biomolecules and Macromolecules

Question 1

What is an atom?

Answer 1

Single unit made up of protons, neutrons, and electrons

Question 2

What is a molecule?

Answer 2

Groups of 2+ atoms held together by chemical bonds due to electron interactions

Question 3

What is a macromolecule?

Answer 3

Large molecules (polymers) formed from the bonding of smaller molecules (monomers)

Question 4

What are ionic bonds?

Answer 4

Transfer of e- from one atom to another atom of VERY DIFFERENT electronegativity

Question 5

What are covalent bonds? Polar and nonpolar?

Answer 5

Sharing of e- between atoms of similar electronegativities
Nonpolar: equal e- sharing
Polar: unequal e- sharing, forms dipole

Question 6

What are hydrogen bonds?

Answer 6

Weak bond between a hydrogen atom and an electronegative atom (F,O,N)

Question 7

What is a dehydration reaction?

Answer 7

Links monomers to form polymers, forming H2O in the process

Question 8

What is hydrolysis?

Answer 8

Uses water to break polymers into monomers

Question 9

What are the monomer, polymer, linkage type, and function in PROTEINS?

Answer 9

Monomer: amino acid
Polymer: peptide
Linkage type: peptide bonds
Function: structure, transport, defense, storage, enzymes

Question 10

What are the monomer, polymer, linkage type, and functions in CARBOHYDRATES?

Answer 10

Monomer: monosaccharide
Polymer: polysaccharide
Linkage type: Glycosidic
Function: store energy

Question 11

What are the monomer, polymer, linkage type, and functions in LIPIDS?

Answer 11

Lipids are nonpolar, hydrophobic molecules
Monomer: hydrocarbons
Polymer: hydrocarbon chains
Linkage type: covalent carbon-carbon
Function: insulation, energy storage, endocrine signaling, cell structure

Question 12

What are the monomer, polymer, linkage type, and functions in NUCLEIC ACIDS?

Answer 12

Monomer: Nucleotide
Polymer: Nucleic acid (DNA, RNA)
Linkage type: Phosphodiester bond
Function: encode, express, and store genetic info

Question 13

What is the primary protein structure?

Answer 13

Linear chain sequence of amino acids

Question 14

What is the secondary protein structure?

Answer 14

Local folding of chain into alpha helices/beta sheets via H-Bonding between amino and carboxyl groups of adjacent amino acids

Question 15

What is the tertiary protein structure?

Answer 15

3D shape due to noncovalent interactions between R groups

Question 16

What is a quaternary protein structure?

Answer 16

3D protein shape consisting of 2+ separate peptide chains

Question 17

What is a monosaccharide?

Answer 17

Single sugar molecule (e.g., glucose)

Question 18

What is a disaccharide?

Answer 18

2 joined sugar molecules (e.g., glucose + fructose = sucrose)

Question 19

What is a polysaccharide?

Answer 19

A polymer of sugar molecules. Includes starch (α-glucose), glycogen (α-glucose), cellulose (β-glucose), chitin (β-glucose)

Question 20

What is triglyceride?

Answer 20

Glycerol + 3 fatty acids
-saturated (single bonds, straight chain)
-unsaturated (double bonds, branched chain)

Question 21

What are phospholipids?

Answer 21

2 fatty acids + phosphate group attached to glycerol backbone
-are amphipathic with polar head, nonpolar tail
-form phospholipid membrane bilayer

Question 22

What are steroids?

Answer 22

Three 6-membered rings + one 5-membered ring
-e.g., hormones, cholesterol

Question 23

What are porphyrins?

Answer 23

4 joined pyrrole rings with a metal center atom
-e.g., chlorophyll, hemoglobin

Question 24

What consists of a nucleotide structure, and its DNA and RNA?

Answer 24

Nitrogenous base + 5-C sugar + phosphate group
DNA: -H attached to a 2’ carbon of the sugar
RNA: -OH attached to sugar instead