Introduction to Biochemistry

Question 1

Structure of an atom

Answer 1

The atom is composed of positively charged protons, negatively charged electrons and neutrally charged neutrons

Question 2

How does ionic bonding come to be?

Answer 2

When an atom donates electrons to to other and this bonding forms anions (negatively charged) ions and cations (positively charged) ions.

Question 3

Why should you maintain ionic concentration in the body?

Answer 3

It is important to maintain the ionic concentration as it can lead to cell death.

Question 4

Hemolysis

Answer 4

In hypotonic solutions cells gain more water and become ruptured

Question 5

Crenation

Answer 5

In hypertonic solutions cells lose their water and shrink

Question 6

Covalent bonds

Answer 6

This occurs by atoms sharing electron(s) pairs. Stronger than ionic bonding and requires energy to break.

Question 7

polar

Answer 7

Electrons are not shared equally and the atom donating the electron(s) becomes slightly positively charged and the one receiving becomes slightly negatively charged

Question 8

Hydrogen bonding

Answer 8

The hydrogen cation bonds interacts with the dipolar bonding. This bonding occurs between the slightly positive hydrogen atoms in covalent bonds and bond to other slightly negatively charged atoms in a covalent bond.

Question 9

Van der Waals forces

Answer 9

This occurs due to the electrons are moving around, and by chance one side of the molecule will be slightly negatively charged and the other side is slightly positive. These are weak and relatively transient

Question 10

inter- and intramolecular interactions

Answer 10

All bonds are important in and contribute to these interactions

Question 11

Sugars (CH2O)n

Answer 11

Have a general structure and can adopt different shapes. Sugar is the source of energy for cells

Question 12

Carbohydrates

(CH20)n.

Answer 12

Sugars can be joined together to to form these larger chains are called carbohydrates. These molecules can be stored and used as a source of energy.

Question 13

Fatty acids

Answer 13

Saturated or unsaturated.
Have both hydrophilic and hydrophobic parts.
Can be stored as triacyl glycerol.
Important components of cell membranes

Question 14

Steroids

Answer 14

Made up of a 4 ring structure called cholestane.

Question 15

Amino acids

Answer 15

Made up of amino, hydrogen, carboxyl and an R-group.
They can polymerised.
Different side chains with multiple groups.
Source of energy in cases of starvation
neurotransmitters
precursor for other molecules

Question 16

Nucleotides

Answer 16

Made up of a nitrogen ring and phosphate linked to ribose or deoxyribose .
Short term energy source that can help with reduction and oxidation
Cofactors for enzymes
Signalling molecules
Building blocks for DNA

Question 17

3 Dimensional structure

Answer 17

The molecules are folded into 3 dimensional structures

The structure determines the function of the molecules

Question 18

Viruses

Answer 18

Viruses can pretend to be body’s own selves by displaying modified glycoproteins on their surface

Question 19

Changes in structure

Answer 19

These can disrupt the function and lead to mutations if changes occur in the DNA.