Chapter 1: Monocules of Life Flashcards
What is the biological function of water (8)
- Provide an aqueous medium
- Reactant
- Cooling agent
- Supporting agent
- Lubricant
- Temperature buffer
- Allows light penetration of submerged plants and vision for aquatic animals
- Ice floats on water
Explain water’s function as an aqueous medium (5)
- Chemical reactions take place
- Transport: (Blood(Transport substances within the body
- Diffusion of substances (Water film in air sac)
- Transfer of sperms in semen to female’s body
- Elimination and dilution of toxic wastes
Explain water’s function as a reactant
Take part in metabolic reactions (Hydrolysis & photosynthesis)
Explain water’s function as a cooling agent
Takes away heat when it evaporates (Sweating in humans and transpiration in plants)
Explain water’s function as a supporting agent (3)
- Provide buoyancy for aquatic organisms
- Aqueous and vitreous humor maintains eyeball shape
- Provide turgidity for herbaceous plants and young seedlings
- Serves as a hydrostatic skeleton in animals for support and movement
Explain water’s function as a lubricant
Reduces friction during movement (Mucus in the alimentary canal)
Explain water’s function as a temperature buffer
Body temperature remains fairly stable when there is a small change in environmental temperature
Explain water’s function when the ice floats on it
As an insulator to prevent water below it from freezing that allows aquatic organisms to survive in cold regions
State the functions of magnesium (2)
- Component of chlorophyll in plants for photosynthesis
2. Component of bones and teeth
State the functions of calcium (3)
- Blood clotting
- Muscle contraction
- Component of bones, teeth, and shells
State the functions of iron (2)
- Synthesize chlorophyll in plants
2. Component of hemoglobin in RBC’s for carrying oxygen
State the functions of nitrate
Component of proteins, nucleic acids, and chlorophyll
State the functions of phosphate
Raw material for DNA, RNA, ATP, NAD, NADP, and phospholipid synthesis
State the features and examples of monosaccharides (2)
- Water soluble
- Reducing sugars
Examples: Glucose, fructose, and galactose
State the features and examples of disaccharides (4)
- Water-soluble and taste sweet
- Reducing sugars except for sucrose
- Formed by condensation between 2 monosaccharides
- Can be hydrolyzed into 2 monosaccharides
Example: Maltose, sucrose, lactose
State the features and examples of polysaccharides
- Non-reducing
- Insoluble and not sweet
- Formed by joining a large number of monosaccharides into chains by condensation
Examples: Starch, glycogen, and cellulose
State the functions of carbohydrates (5)
- Immediate energy source
- Energy source (Starch in plants, glycogen in animals/fungi)
- Cellulose as a component of the cell wall in plants
- Component of cell membranes
- Component of genetic material
Explain the function of carbohydrates being an immediate energy source
Glucose is oxidized in respiration to release energy for cellular activities
Explain the function of carbohydrates being an energy reserve
Large and soluble in water so it won’t affect the water potential of cells
Explain the function of carbohydrates being cellulose as a component of the cell wall in plants
It is very stable and provides strong mechanical strength
Explain the function of carbohydrates being a component of cell membranes
Combine with lipids/ proteins to form glycolipids/ glycoproteins for cell recognition