Module 1 - Biochemistry & Metabolism

Question 0

What happens to substances that can not be digested?

Answer 0

They are removed from the body.

Question 1

Why do the nutrients you take in build and maintain your body?

Answer 1

• Because, after digestion, they become part of your body; they are rebuilt to form different parts of the organism.
• they are used to provide the energy needed to drive metabolism.

Question 2

Give an example of a substance that isn’t digested by the body.

Answer 2

Fibre. It doesn’t provide energy but is essential for a healthy diet.
It makes passing of materials through the gut a lot easier and helps remove bail salts that can be toxic.

Question 3

What is a risk factor?

Answer 3

A risk factor is a factor that can increase your chance of developing a particular disease.

Question 4

What must an organism be able to do to survive?

Answer 4

It must be able to make or take in all the necessary molecules required.

Question 5

What is the role of Carbohydrates?

Answer 5

They store energy, supply energy and provide structure in some organisms.

Question 6

What is the role of proteins?

Answer 6

They provide structure, transport, used to make enzymes and antibodies and most hormones.

Question 7

What is the role of Lipids?

Answer 7

They are used for membranes, provide an energy supply, thermally insulate, provide protective padding, electrical insulation in neurones and are used to produce some hormones.

Question 8

What are the roles of vitamins and minerals?

Answer 8

They form parts of some larger molecules and take part in some metabolic reactions; some act as coenzymes and enzyme activators.

Question 9

What is the role of Nucleic Acids?

Answer 9

They are information molecules; carry the instructions for life.

Question 10

What is the role of water?

Answer 10

Takes part in many reactions, supports plants, solvent medium for most metabolic reactions and is used in transport.

Question 11

What are the key biological molecules?

Answer 11

Carbohydrates, Lipids, Proteins and Nucleic Acids.

Question 12

What chemical elements make up over 99% of all organisms?

Answer 12

Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen and Nitrogen.

Question 13

Chemicals make up 30% of a human cell. What are these chemicals and what percentage do they make up?

Answer 13

DNA = 30%, Phospholipids = 2%, Polysaccharides = 2%, Ions, small molecules 4%, RNA = 6% and Proteins = 15%.

Question 14

What does Biochemistry refer to?

Answer 14

It refers to the chemical reactions involving biological molecules.

Question 15

Define metabolism.

Answer 15

It is the sum total of all the chemical reactions that take place in the cells of an organism.

Question 16

Give some examples of metabolic reactions.

Answer 16

Digestion and muscle growth.

Question 17

What are the two types of metabolic reactions?

Answer 17

Catabolic and anabolic reactions.

Question 18

What is meant by Catabolic Reactions?

Answer 18

They are reactions that break larger molecules into smaller molecules such as digestion.

Question 19

What is meant by Anabolic Reactions?

Answer 19

It is the building of larger molecules from smaller molecules.

Question 20

What is meant by the term ‘organic chemistry’?

Answer 20

The study of chemical reactions that involve carbon.

Question 21

Describe carbon atoms.

Answer 21

They can bond together, form long chains, they can bond to many different molecules.

Question 22

Why is carbon considered the framework of life?

Answer 22

Because it has multiple bonding features and can for a basis for all biological molecules.