Chemical composition of Living Things

Question 1

What are the most abundant elements in living things?

Answer 1

Carbon, Oxygen, Nitrogen, and Hydrogen

Question 2

After the 4 most abundant, what are the next most abundant elements in living things?

Answer 2

Sulfur and Phosphorus

Question 3

What are the 5 most abundant ions in living things?

Answer 3

Na+, K+, Ca 2+, Mg 2+, Cl-

Question 4

What are some examples of trace elements in living things?

Answer 4

Iron, Copper, Molybdenum, Zinc

Question 5

Why are they called trace elements?

Answer 5

They are required for the function of many proteins, but become toxic if there’s too much. They are only required in very small amounts

Question 6

What are the 4 classes of macromolecules in living things?

Answer 6

Nucleic acids, proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids

Question 7

Which of the 4 macromolecules are polymers? Which one isn’t?

Answer 7

Nucleic acids, proteins, and carbohydrates are all polymers, lipids are the only ones that aren’t

Question 8

What is the monomer that makes up proteins? What are some functions of proteins?

Answer 8

The monomer is amino acids. Proteins have structural functions, catalytic activity, and transport, etc

Question 9

What is the monomer that makes up nucleic acids? What are some functions of nucleic acids?

Answer 9

The monomer is nucleotides. Nucleic acids are used for information storage and transmission

Question 10

What is the monomer that makes up carbohydrates? What are some functions of carbohydrates?

Answer 10

The monomer is monosaccharides. Carbohydrates are used in communication, energy, and structural support

Question 11

What is the structure of lipids? What are they used for?

Answer 11

They are either partially or completely hydrophobic molecules that form non-covalent assemblies. They are used as hormones, in membranes, and for energy