Chemicals Of Life

Question 1

Which element is the backbone of biological molecules such as carbs, fats, and proteins?

Answer 1

Carbon

Question 2

Are hydrocarbons polar (hydrophilic) or non-polar (hydrophobic) and why?

Answer 2

Non-polar (hydrophobic) because they are symmetrical

Question 3

What term is given to reactive clusters of atoms that may attach to the carbon backbone of a hydrocarbon chain, most commonly oxygen, nitrogen, and sulphur?

Answer 3

Functional group

Question 4

Describe the reactivity of functional groups on a hydrocarbon chain

Answer 4

Much more reactive than the hydrocarbon chain to which they are attached

Question 5

Why are alcohols highly soluble in water?

Answer 5

They contain polar hydroxyl groups

Question 6

Which two functional groups make up an amino acid?

Answer 6

Carboxyl group (weak acid) and amine group (weak base)

Question 7

What is the energy carrier molecule used in cellular respiration?

Answer 7

ATP

Question 8

Give the chemical formula for a hydroxyl group

Answer 8

R - OH

Question 9

Give the chemical formula for a carboxyl group

Answer 9

R - COOH

Question 10

Give the chemical formula for a carbonyl (ketone) group

Answer 10

R - CO - R

Question 11

Give the chemical formula for a carbonyl (aldehyde) group

Answer 11

R - COH

Question 12

Give the chemical formula for an amino group

Answer 12

R - NH2

Question 13

Give the chemical formula for a sulfhydryl group

Answer 13

R - SH

Question 14

Give the chemical formula for a phosphate group

Answer 14

R - PO4

Question 15

Give the structural formula for a hydroxyl group

Answer 15

|
— C — O — H
|

Question 16

Give the structural formula for a carboxyl group

Answer 16

H — O — C = O
|

Question 17

Give the structural formula for a carbonyl (ketone) group

Answer 17

|
— C — C — C —
| ‖ |
O

Question 18

Give the structural formula for a carbonyl (aldehyde) group

Answer 18

O
‖
R — C —

Question 19

Give the structural formula for an amino group

Answer 19

H
| |
— C — N
| |
H

Question 20

Give the structural formula for a sulfhydryl group

Answer 20

R — S — H

Question 21

Give the structural formula for a phosphate group

Answer 21

O
| ‖
— C — O — P — OH
| |
OH

Question 22

What are hydroxyl groups found in?

Answer 22

Alcohols

Question 23

What are carboxyl groups found in?

Answer 23

Acids

Question 24

What are carbonyl (ketone) groups found in?

Answer 24

Acetone

Question 25

What are carbonyl (aldehyde) groups found in?

Answer 25

Formaldehyde

Question 26

What are amino groups found in?

Answer 26

Bases, ammonia, proteins

Question 27

What are sulfhydryl groups found in?

Answer 27

Rubber

Question 28

What are phosphate groups found in?

Answer 28

ATP

Question 29

Give the structural formula for C2H5COC3H7

Answer 29

| | | |
— C — C — C — C — C — C —
| | ‖ | | |
O

Question 30

Give the structural formulas for the following (refer to note q. 2-5)

Question 31

Describe an ether formation reaction

Answer 31

Chemical reaction between two alcohol groups. Condensation/dehydration synthesis reaction. Anabolic (building of macromolecules), endothermic (requires heat), occurs for the formation of carbs (polysaccharides)

Question 32

Give the general formula for an ether formation reaction

Answer 32

Alcohol + alcohol —> ether bond + water

R — OH + HO — R —> R — O — R + HOH

Question 33

Describe an esterification reaction

Answer 33

Chemical reaction between an acid and an alcohol. Condensation/dehydration synthesis reaction. Anabolic, endothermic, occurs in the formation of triglycerides

Question 34

Give the general formula for an esterification reaction

Answer 34

Acid + alcohol —> ester bond + water

R — COOH + HO — R —> R — COO — R + HOH

Question 35

Give the general formula for a peptide bond reaction

Answer 35

Amino acid + amino acid —> dipeptide + water

NH2 — CH2 — COOH + NH2 — CH2 — COOH —> NH2 — CH2 — CONH — CH2 — COOH + HOH