Building Blocks of Life

Question 1

Give examples of what building blocks are

Answer 1

• amino acids
• nucleotides
• simple carbohydrates
• glycerol, fatty acids
• hydrocarbon rings

Question 2

describe what a macromolecules are, and give examples

Answer 2

• typically composed of thousands of atoms/more, resulting in them adding up to a large molecular mass
• made up of smaller units called building blocks(monomers) that are joined by covalent bonds
• most come together to form polymeric molecules, some for
  non-polymeric molecules

examples:

• proteins
• DNA
• RNA
• Complex carbohydrates
• Lipids

Question 3

What are the 4 different types of Macromolecules

Answer 3

• Polysaccharides (complex carbohydrates)
• Nucleic Acids (DNA + RNA)
• Proteins
• Lipids (non-polymeric)

Question 4

what are the 4 subtypes of carbohydrates

Answer 4

• Monosaccharides (simple = sugars)
• Disaccharides (simple = sugars)
• Oligosaccharides (complex carbohydrates)
• Polysaccharides (complex Carbohydrates)

Question 5

Describe what a monosaccharides are, and the 2 subgroups within it

Answer 5

• are the single unit building blocks of carbohydrates
• Hexose Monosaccharides: looks like a hexagon
  are the building blocks of higher order carbohydrates
• Pentose Monosaccharides: looks like a pentagon
  are usually part of larger molecules (nucleic acids)

Question 6

describe the 3 subtypes of Disaccharides

Answer 6

• are 2 Monosaccharides joined together

Sucrose = Glucose + Fructose 
Maltose = Glucose + Glucose 
Lactose = Galactose + Glucose

Question 7

Describe what Oligosaccharides are

Answer 7

• are several Monosaccharides linked together: approx 3-10 monosaccharides linked together

Question 8

Describe what Polysaccharides are

Answer 8

• are many Monosaccharides that are linked together, approx more than 20 linked. Also depends on how they are linked

Question 9

what are the functions of carbohydrates

Answer 9

• Recognition
• Energy Source
• Structure

Question 10

describe what recognition is and what is does

Answer 10

• helps to recognize the cells. They are usually at the surface of the cell
• they can also recognize toxins and get rid of them
• proteins, viruses and bacteria antibodies
• are also very important in communication

Question 11

describe what energy source is for the functions of carbohydrates

Answer 11

• there are specific enzymes that break down starch and glycogen that then store it for energy

Question 12

what are Nucleic Acids

Answer 12

• Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)

- Ribonucleic acid (RNA)

Question 13

describe what Polynucleotides are

Answer 13

• Nucleic acids that are polymers of nucleotides
• common bases: Thymine, Adenine, Cytosine, Guanine, Uracil
• RNA = a singular polynucleotide strand that is made up of the sugar phosphate bone and the bases that are pointing towards the middle
• DNA is made up of 2 polynucleotide strands that are twisted around each other = double stranded helix structure

Question 14

describe what a protein is

Answer 14

• molecules by which cells perform their functions in the whole organism
• proteins are polymers of amino acids
• they are made up of 20 different building blocks = amino acids

Question 15

describe what Lipids are

Answer 15

• are NOT polymers
• Heterogeneous (are different types of lipids)
• hydrophobic