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Biology > Chapter 1: Monocules of Life > Flashcards

Chapter 1: Monocules of Life Flashcards

1
Q

What is the biological function of water (8)

A
  1. Provide an aqueous medium
  2. Reactant
  3. Cooling agent
  4. Supporting agent
  5. Lubricant
  6. Temperature buffer
  7. Allows light penetration of submerged plants and vision for aquatic animals
  8. Ice floats on water
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2
Q

Explain water’s function as an aqueous medium (5)

A
  1. Chemical reactions take place
  2. Transport: (Blood(Transport substances within the body
  3. Diffusion of substances (Water film in air sac)
  4. Transfer of sperms in semen to female’s body
  5. Elimination and dilution of toxic wastes
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3
Q

Explain water’s function as a reactant

A

Take part in metabolic reactions (Hydrolysis & photosynthesis)

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4
Q

Explain water’s function as a cooling agent

A

Takes away heat when it evaporates (Sweating in humans and transpiration in plants)

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5
Q

Explain water’s function as a supporting agent (3)

A
  1. Provide buoyancy for aquatic organisms
  2. Aqueous and vitreous humor maintains eyeball shape
  3. Provide turgidity for herbaceous plants and young seedlings
  4. Serves as a hydrostatic skeleton in animals for support and movement
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6
Q

Explain water’s function as a lubricant

A

Reduces friction during movement (Mucus in the alimentary canal)

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7
Q

Explain water’s function as a temperature buffer

A

Body temperature remains fairly stable when there is a small change in environmental temperature

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8
Q

Explain water’s function when the ice floats on it

A

As an insulator to prevent water below it from freezing that allows aquatic organisms to survive in cold regions

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9
Q

State the functions of magnesium (2)

A
  1. Component of chlorophyll in plants for photosynthesis

2. Component of bones and teeth

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10
Q

State the functions of calcium (3)

A
  1. Blood clotting
  2. Muscle contraction
  3. Component of bones, teeth, and shells
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11
Q

State the functions of iron (2)

A
  1. Synthesize chlorophyll in plants

2. Component of hemoglobin in RBC’s for carrying oxygen

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12
Q

State the functions of nitrate

A

Component of proteins, nucleic acids, and chlorophyll

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13
Q

State the functions of phosphate

A

Raw material for DNA, RNA, ATP, NAD, NADP, and phospholipid synthesis

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14
Q

State the features and examples of monosaccharides (2)

A
  1. Water soluble
  2. Reducing sugars
    Examples: Glucose, fructose, and galactose
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15
Q

State the features and examples of disaccharides (4)

A
  1. Water-soluble and taste sweet
  2. Reducing sugars except for sucrose
  3. Formed by condensation between 2 monosaccharides
  4. Can be hydrolyzed into 2 monosaccharides
    Example: Maltose, sucrose, lactose
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16
Q

State the features and examples of polysaccharides

A
  1. Non-reducing
  2. Insoluble and not sweet
  3. Formed by joining a large number of monosaccharides into chains by condensation
    Examples: Starch, glycogen, and cellulose
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17
Q

State the functions of carbohydrates (5)

A
  1. Immediate energy source
  2. Energy source (Starch in plants, glycogen in animals/fungi)
  3. Cellulose as a component of the cell wall in plants
  4. Component of cell membranes
  5. Component of genetic material
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18
Q

Explain the function of carbohydrates being an immediate energy source

A

Glucose is oxidized in respiration to release energy for cellular activities

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19
Q

Explain the function of carbohydrates being an energy reserve

A

Large and soluble in water so it won’t affect the water potential of cells

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20
Q

Explain the function of carbohydrates being cellulose as a component of the cell wall in plants

A

It is very stable and provides strong mechanical strength

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21
Q

Explain the function of carbohydrates being a component of cell membranes

A

Combine with lipids/ proteins to form glycolipids/ glycoproteins for cell recognition

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22
Q

Explain the function of carbohydrates being a component of genetic material

A

Part of DNA and RNA

23
Q

State the composition of triglycerides

A

Formed by condensation of 1 glycerol+ 3 fatty acids

Remove 3 water molecules

24
Q

State the composition of phospholipids

A

Glycerol+2 fatty acids+ phosphate group

25
Q

Gives details about the phosphate group

A

Phosphate group+glycerol leads to it being polar and hydrophilic (water-loving)

26
Q

Give details about the hydrocarbon chain

A

Hydrocarbon chain (Fatty acids) leads to it being non-polar and hydrophobic (water-repelling)

27
Q

Give details about the steroids

A

Highly complex lipid molecules containing 4 rings of C atoms with branched side chain

28
Q

State the functions of triglycerides (4)

A
  1. Energy reserve (Adipose tissues in water/oils in plants)
  2. Energy source
  3. Subcutaneous fat under the skin provides heat insulation
  4. Shock absorber
29
Q

Explain how the triglycerides act as energy reserves (3)

A
  1. Water-insoluble
  2. Stores more energy per unit mass to minimize storage space
  3. Lipids are much lighter than carbohydrates
30
Q

Explain how the triglycerides act as an energy source

A

Mobilized to supply energy when the body lack carbohydrates

31
Q

Explain how the triglycerides act as subcutaneous fat under the skin to provide heat insulation

A

Decrease heat loss

32
Q

Explain how the triglycerides act as a shock absorber

A

To protect internal organs from mechanical damage

33
Q

Sate the function of phospholipid

A

Component of the cell membrane that is important for growth

34
Q

Explain how the phospholipids act as the component of the cell membrane

A

Phospholipid bilayer contribute to different permeability and maintain cell inergrity

35
Q

State the function of steroids (2)

A
  1. Cholesterols molecules contribute to fluidity and stability of cell membrane
  2. Production of vitamin D, bile salts and steroid sex hormones
36
Q

State other functions of lipids

A
  1. Facilitate transport & storage of lipid-soluble vitamins (A & D)
  2. Cuticle in plants & waxy layer on insects to prevent water loss by evaporation
  3. Myelin sheath surrounding nerve fibre to increase speed of nerve impulse transmission and protects & electrically insulates axon
37
Q

Describe the process of forming polypeptide chain

A

When 2 amino acids are joined together by peptide bond,dipeptide is formed
so further condensation and additions of amino acid form polypeptide chain

38
Q

How proteins are built from 20 different amino acids

A
  1. Amino acids joined together in different combinations to form polypeptide chain (primary structure) with varying sequences and lengths
  2. Amino acid sequence is encoded by base sequence of gene on DNA that determines final conformation of protein molecule
39
Q

Talk about the process of the folding of polypeptide

A

Hydrogen bonds form among amino acids then the polypeptide chain coil and fold into different shapes

  1. Coiled polypeptide chain may further fold up into more compact tertiary structure with a specific three-dimensional shape
  2. Multiple folded polypeptides may bind together to form protein molecule with specific conformation (quaternary structure)
40
Q

When will the protein loses its 3D shape and function

A

When molecular interactions within protein molecule are broken by heat/ pH change

41
Q

State the factors determining different shape of protein molecules (3)

A
  1. Proteins are built from 20 different amino acids
  2. Folding of polypeptide
  3. When molecular interactions within protein molecule are broken by heat / pH change, it loses its 3D shape and its function
42
Q

State the functions of protein

A
  1. Components of cytoplasm and cell membrane
  2. Contribute to selective permeability of cell membrane
  3. Unique shape of each protein allows them to perform different function roles in our body
  4. Unique shape of each protein allows them to perform different functional roles in our body
  5. As an energy source
  6. Protection and support
43
Q

Explain how the protein being the components of cytoplasm contribution

A

It leads to the formation of new cells that facilitates the growth and repair of body cells

44
Q

Explain how the protein having the unique shape of each protein contribution

A
  1. Hemoglobin with oxygen-binding sites for carrying oxygen in blood
  2. Enzymes with unique active sites that fit with specific substrates for controlling cellular metabolism
  3. Receptors with binding sites for neurotransmitters that allows transmission of nerve impulses across synapse
  4. Peptide hormones with unique shapes that binds to receptors of target organ to elicit response
  5. Antibodies with specific antigen-binding sites that allow recognition of pathogens for body defense
45
Q

Explain how the protein being the energy source

A
  1. It is broke down to release energy when carbohydrates and lipids are used up
  2. As it can be deminated to give carbon skeleton that enter Krebs cycle to yield ATP
46
Q

Explain how the protein being the protection and support

A
  1. Keratin made up hair and nails
  2. Keratin in skin epidermis acts as physical barrier for body defense
  3. Collagen forms connective tissues in tendons, ligaments and cartilage
47
Q

Explains the process of making plynucleotide

A

2 nucleotides joined to form dinucleotide by condensation between phosphate group of one nucleotide and 5-C sugar of other nucleotide

48
Q

State the functions of nucleic acids

A
  1. DNA carries genetic info that control the type of protein produced and cellular activities
  2. mRNA transcribes genetic info from DNA and determine amino sequence in protein
  3. tRNA carries amino acid to ribosome for protein synthesis
49
Q

Explain the test of glucose

A

Glucose test strip

Pink to purple /blue

50
Q

Explain the test of reducing sugar

A

Benedict’s test- mix and heat sample with Benedict’s solution
Brick-red precipitates formed

51
Q

Explain the test of reducing sugar

A

Iodine test

Brown to blue-black

52
Q

Explain the test of lipid

A

Grease spot test
1. Add small drop of sample on piece of filter paper
2. Dip filter paper into organic solvent to remove paper from solvent & let it dry
Result:
Persistent translucent spot but disappeared after dissolve in organic solvent

53
Q

Explain the test of proteins

A

Protein test strip

Yellow to green

Biology (3 decks)

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