Introduction to Biological Molecules and Cell Structure

Question 1

What are the two types of cells?

Answer 1

• Prokaryotic Cell

- Eukaryotic Cell

Question 2

What are the two roles small molecules play?

Answer 2

• Building blocks for macromolecules.

- Specific functions

Question 3

What is composition of a cell made up of?

List 4 key components

Answer 3

• Water
• Inorganic Ions
• Small Organic Molecules
• Macromolecules

Question 4

What is the proportion of the total cell weight with all the different components?

Answer 4

Water = 70%
Macromolecules = 26%
Small Organic Molecules = 3%
Inorganic Ions = 1%

Question 5

What is the formula of carbohydrates?

Answer 5

(CH2O)n

Question 6

What is the function of carbohydrates?

Answer 6

Energy Storage / Fuel / Metabolite / Structural Element.

Question 7

What are the main two types of monosaccharides in carbohydrates?

Answer 7

• Ketones = ketone based

- Aldoses = aldehyde based

Question 8

Do monosaccharides have chiral centres?

If so what is another name for chiral centres?

Answer 8

Yes = They have chiral centres.

Known as enantiomers.

Question 9

What is the difference between ketone and aldose?

Answer 9

The position of the c = o bond differs.
In ketose -> the bond is in the middle.
In aldose -> the bond is at the end.

Question 10

Name two examples of an aldose.

Answer 10

Glucose (also known as hexose).

Glycogen (known as hexose).

Question 11

How are disaccharides formed?

Answer 11

Condensation Reaction = whereby H2O is released upon bond forming.

Question 12

Name 3 polysaccharides.

Answer 12

Cellulose
Starch
Glycogen

Question 13

What bond is in cellulose?

Answer 13

Beta 1 - 4 glycosidic bond

Question 14

What bond is in starch and glycogen?

Answer 14

Alpha 1 - 4 glycosidic bond

Question 15

Why is glycogen so compact?

Answer 15

There is 1,6 glycosidic bonds and therefore, the structure is coiled and tight.

Question 16

What are oligosaccharides?

Answer 16

These are a combination of monosaccharides and therefore, create a variety of shapes.

Question 17

What determines the function of a molecule?

Answer 17

The shape of the molecule.

Question 18

Name an example of an oligosaccharide.

Answer 18

Blood Groups

Question 19

What happens when the wrong blood type is used during a transfusion?

Answer 19

Clotting occurs = Known as coagulation.

Question 20

What components make up an amino acid?

Answer 20

Amine Group
Carboxyl Acid Group
R group
Hydrogen atom

Question 21

What happens when amino acids react?

Answer 21

Condensation reaction occurs.

Peptide bond is formed and therefore, water molecule is released.

Question 22

What is the structure of proteins?

Answer 22

Primary
Secondary
Tertiary
Quaternary

Question 23

Explain what a primary structure is.

Answer 23

Amino acids joined together by peptide bonds.

Forms a polymer.

Question 24

Explain what a secondary structure is.

Answer 24

Protein chain is folded (stabilised by hydrogen bonds).

Folded to form alpha helices and beta pleated sheets.

Question 25

Explain what a tertiary structure is.

Answer 25

3D structure which is stabilised by H - Bonds / Hydrophobic / Hydrophilic / Van Der Waals.

Question 26

Explain what a quaternary structure is.

Answer 26

Several polypeptide chains are made.
These assemble to form a protein.
Stabilised by IONIC BONDS.

Question 27

Name two vasodilators.

Answer 27

Histidine

Histamine

Question 28

Name two molecules which trigger glycogen breakdown.

Answer 28

Tyrosine

Adrenaline

Question 29

What is the purpose of body fats?

Answer 29

Act predominantly as food preserves. (IE : Energy).

Question 30

What are body fats made of?

Answer 30

Glycerol and Fatty Acids.

Question 31

How is body fats linked to glycerol?

Answer 31

Glycerol Esters of Fatty Acids.

Question 32

How are fats transported in membranes?

Answer 32

Fats are transported via micelles and liposomes.

Question 33

Name the structure of a phospholipid molecule.

Answer 33

Hydrophilic Head

Hydrophobic Core

Question 34

What is cholesterol known as?

Answer 34

It is known as a steroid.

Question 35

How can cholesterol intercalate into the membrane?

Answer 35

OH group interacts with the polar lipid heads.

Its steroid scaffold interacts with the fatty acids.

Question 36

When cholesterol is bonded onto a structure what does it do to the membrane and the molecules too?

Answer 36

Decreases FLUIDITY.
Increases FLEXIBILITY.
Reduces PERMEABILITY for soluble molecules.

Question 37

Examples of hormones which have cholesterol.

Answer 37

Aldosterone
Cortisol
Estradiol
Testosterone

Question 38

What is the basic structure of a nucleotide?

Answer 38

Sugar
Base
Phosphate

Question 39

What are the 2 types of nucleotides?

Answer 39

Ribonucleotide

Deoxyribonucleotide

Question 40

What is the structure of DNA known as?

Answer 40

Anti - Parallel Structure.

As there is a 5” prime end alongside a 3” prime end too.

Question 41

What is the purpose of nucleotides?

Answer 41

Energy Units
Second Messenger
Involved in RNA synthesis

Question 42

What can affect the function of a protein?

Answer 42

Protein Denaturation = Loss of structure.

Protein Mutation = Change of structure.

Question 43

What are 2 major energy sources for humans?

Answer 43

Starch

Glycogen

Question 44

Is DNA or RNA more stable?

Answer 44

DNA is more stable because it has one LESS oxygen compared to RNA.