Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

IMAT Bio > Chapter 2: Molecular Biology > Flashcards

Chapter 2: Molecular Biology Flashcards

1
Q

What does molecular biology explain living processes in terms of?

A

The chemical substances involved.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Why is carbon a key element in molecular biology?

A

It forms four covalent bonds, enabling a variety of stable compounds.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What are the four groups of carbon compounds in living organisms?

A

Carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What is metabolism?

A

The web of all enzyme-catalyzed reactions in a cell or organism.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Define anabolism.

A

The synthesis of complex molecules from simpler ones by condensation reactions.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Define catabolism.

A

The breakdown of complex molecules into simpler ones by hydrolysis.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What role do enzymes play in metabolism?

A

They increase the rate of reactions by providing an active site for reactants.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What are examples of metabolic reactions in cells?

A

DNA replication, RNA synthesis, protein synthesis, cell respiration, photosynthesis.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Why is water essential in biological systems?

A

It acts as a polar solvent due to hydrogen bonding.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What are the key properties of water due to hydrogen bonding?

A

Cohesion, adhesion, thermal stability, and solvent properties.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What determines whether a substance is hydrophilic or hydrophobic?

A

Its polarity.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

How are polysaccharides formed?

A

By condensation reactions linking monosaccharides with glycosidic bonds.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What is the general formula for carbohydrates?

A

Cx(H2O)y.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Give examples of hexose and pentose monosaccharides.

A

Hexose: glucose, fructose, galactose; Pentose: ribose, deoxyribose.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What are the two main roles of monosaccharides in cells?

A

Energy source in respiration and building blocks for larger molecules.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What is the storage polysaccharide in plants?

A

Starch.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What is the structural polysaccharide in plants?

A

Cellulose.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What is glycogen, and where is it stored in animals?

A

A storage polysaccharide stored in liver and muscle cells.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What is the function of cellulose?

A

Provides structural support in plant cell walls.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

What are triglycerides made of?

A

Three fatty acids and one glycerol via condensation.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What is a phospholipid, and what is its structure?

A

A lipid with a hydrophilic head and hydrophobic tails.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

What is the role of phospholipids in the cell?

A

Form membranes with hydrophobic barriers and hydrophilic surfaces.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

What are nucleic acids made of?

A

Polymers of nucleotides.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

What are the structural differences between DNA and RNA?

A

DNA: two strands; RNA: one strand; differ in base composition and pentose sugar.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

What is the structure of DNA?

A

A double helix with antiparallel strands joined by hydrogen bonds.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

What are proteins made of?

A

Polymers of amino acids linked by peptide bonds.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

How many amino acids are used in protein synthesis?

A

20 different amino acids.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
28
Q

What determines a protein’s three-dimensional structure?

A

The amino acid sequence and types of bonds.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
29
Q

What is the primary structure of a protein?

A

The linear sequence of amino acids.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
30
Q

What creates the secondary structure in proteins?

A

Hydrogen bonding between CO and NH groups.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
31
Q

What bonds stabilize a protein’s tertiary structure?

A

Hydrogen bonds, ionic bonds, disulfide bridges, hydrophobic interactions.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
32
Q

What is the quaternary structure of proteins?

A

The assembly of multiple polypeptide chains.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
33
Q

What is protein denaturation?

A

The loss of native shape due to changes in pH, temperature, or salt concentration.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
34
Q

What happens to DNA when heated?

A

Hydrogen bonds break, separating the strands.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
35
Q

What bonds link monosaccharides in polysaccharides?

A

Glycosidic bonds.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
36
Q

What type of bonds join the two strands of DNA?

A

Hydrogen bonds.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
37
Q

Which lipid contains hydrophilic and hydrophobic regions?

A

Phospholipids.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
38
Q

Which protein structure involves α-helices and β-pleated sheets?

A

Secondary structure.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
39
Q

What distinguishes glycogen from starch?

A

Glycogen is more branched and found in animals.

40
Q

What is the structure of cellulose?

A

Unbranched β-glucose polymers linked by β-1,4 bonds.

41
Q

Molecular biology explains living processes in terms of the chemical substances […].

A

involved.

42
Q

Metabolism consists of catabolism and […].

A

anabolism.

43
Q

Proteins are polymers of amino acids linked by […].

A

peptide bonds.

44
Q

DNA consists of a double helix made of two […].

A

antiparallel strands.

45
Q

Triglycerides consist of three fatty acids and one […].

A

glycerol.

46
Q

Water has cohesive and adhesive properties due to […].

A

hydrogen bonding.

47
Q

Cellulose is a polymer of […]-glucose with structural roles in plants.

A

β

48
Q

Question

A

Answer

49
Q

What is molecular biology?

A

The study of living processes in terms of the chemical substances involved.

50
Q

Why can carbon atoms form a diversity of stable compounds?

A

Because they can form four covalent bonds.

51
Q

What are the four biochemical groups in molecular biology?

A

Carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids.

52
Q

What is metabolism?

A

The web of all enzyme-catalyzed reactions in a cell or organism.

53
Q

What is anabolism?

A

The synthesis of complex molecules from simpler ones via condensation reactions.

54
Q

What is catabolism?

A

The breakdown of complex molecules into simpler ones via hydrolysis.

55
Q

What are enzymes?

A

Protein molecules with specific active sites that increase the rate of reactions.

56
Q

What are the main metabolic reactions?

A

DNA replication, RNA synthesis, protein synthesis, cell respiration, and photosynthesis.

57
Q

Why is water called the ‘solvent of life’?

A

Because of its polarity and hydrogen bonding ability.

58
Q

What are the key properties of water?

A

Cohesive, adhesive, thermal, and solvent properties.

59
Q

What happens when a hydrophobic substance encounters water?

A

It does not dissolve because ‘like dissolves like’.

60
Q

How are monosaccharides linked to form polysaccharides?

A

Through condensation reactions forming glycosidic bonds.

61
Q

What are the three main groups of carbohydrates?

A

Monosaccharides, disaccharides, polysaccharides.

62
Q

What is the general formula of carbohydrates?

A

Cx(H2O)y.

63
Q

What are common examples of hexose monosaccharides?

A

Glucose, fructose, galactose.

64
Q

What are examples of pentose monosaccharides?

A

Ribose and deoxyribose.

65
Q

What are the functions of monosaccharides?

A

Energy source in respiration; building blocks for larger molecules like RNA and DNA.

66
Q

What is the role of amylose and amylopectin in plants?

A

Energy storage in the form of starch.

67
Q

What is glycogen, and where is it stored in animals?

A

A storage polysaccharide found in liver and muscle cells.

68
Q

What is cellulose, and what is its function?

A

A polymer of β-glucose with a structural role in plant cell walls.

69
Q

What are fatty acids?

A

Carboxylic acids with chains of 15-17 carbon atoms.

70
Q

What are triglycerides?

A

Lipids formed from one glycerol and three fatty acids via condensation.

71
Q

What is the structure of phospholipids?

A

A hydrophilic phosphate head and hydrophobic fatty acid tails.

72
Q

What is the role of phospholipids in cells?

A

Forming membranes with hydrophilic heads outward and hydrophobic tails inward.

73
Q

What are DNA and RNA made of?

A

Polymers of nucleotides.

74
Q

What are the structural differences between DNA and RNA?

A

DNA has two strands, RNA has one; they differ in base composition and pentose type.

75
Q

What is the structure of DNA?

A

A double helix with antiparallel strands linked by hydrogen bonds.

76
Q

What are proteins made of?

A

Polymers of amino acids linked by peptide bonds.

77
Q

How many amino acids are used in proteins?

A

20 different amino acids.

78
Q

What determines the three-dimensional conformation of a protein?

A

The sequence of amino acids.

79
Q

What is the primary structure of a protein?

A

The specific sequence of amino acids.

80
Q

What is the secondary structure of a protein?

A

Folding into α-helices and β-pleated sheets due to hydrogen bonding.

81
Q

What is the tertiary structure of a protein?

A

The three-dimensional folding stabilized by hydrogen bonds, ionic bonds, disulfide bridges, and hydrophobic interactions.

82
Q

What is the quaternary structure of a protein?

A

The association of multiple polypeptide chains, e.g., hemoglobin.

83
Q

What is protein denaturation?

A

The unraveling of proteins due to pH, temperature, or salt changes.

84
Q

What happens to protein albumin in an egg when heated?

A

It denatures and coagulates.

85
Q

What happens to DNA when heated in solution?

A

Hydrogen bonds break, causing the strands to separate.

86
Q

What is the difference between α-1,4 and α-1,6 glycosidic bonds?

A

α-1,4 is linear; α-1,6 is branching.

87
Q

Which lipid has a hydrophilic head and hydrophobic tail?

A

Phospholipid.

88
Q

What bonds stabilize the tertiary structure of proteins?

A

Hydrogen bonds, ionic bonds, disulfide bridges, hydrophobic interactions.

89
Q

Which polymer of glucose is unbranched in plants?

A

Amylose.

90
Q

Which polysaccharide in animals forms granules in liver cells?

A

Glycogen.

91
Q

What type of bonds link the two strands of DNA?

A

Hydrogen bonds.

92
Q

Molecular biology explains living processes in terms of {{c1::chemical substances}} involved.

A
93
Q

Catabolism involves the breakdown of {{c1::complex molecules}} into simpler ones via {{c2::hydrolysis}}.

A
94
Q

Proteins are polymers of {{c1::amino acids}} linked by {{c2::peptide bonds}}.

A
95
Q

DNA is a {{c1::double helix}} made of two {{c2::antiparallel strands}} linked by hydrogen bonds.

A
96
Q

Cellulose is a polymer of {{c1::β-glucose}} linked by {{c2::β-1,4 glycosidic bonds}}.

A

IMAT Bio (10 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions