Molecular Building Blocks

Question 1

What can multicellular organisms do? (4)

Answer 1

1) Interact with environment
2) Cell Specialisation
3) Intercellular Communication
4) Differentiation

Question 2

Why are macromolecules described as being heterogenous?

Answer 2

Their structures can be seen to differ considerably, to allow variety in functions

Question 3

Why is water important? (3)

Answer 3

1) Universal Solvent
2) Polar
3) Hydrogen Bonding (Temperature Range) (Max Density so freezes top down)

Question 4

Define Hydrogen Bond?

Answer 4

Partial intermolecular interaction between LP on NO and orbital bond on H

Question 5

Why is carbon important?

Answer 5

Life evolves from breaking/making bonds under physiological conditions

Question 6

What does water not interact with? (3)

Answer 6

Lipids, Aromatic groups and Non-polar substances

Question 7

Formula of Carbohydrates?

Answer 7

Cn(H20)n

Question 8

Two types of Glycosidic bonds? (carbs)

Answer 8

1) O: Form disaccharides, oligosaccharides etc

2) N: Found in nucleotides and DNA

Question 9

Property of Glucose chain?

Answer 9

Chiral so exists as optical isomers with D and L structures

Question 10

Define a proteoglycan?

Answer 10

Protein core with lots of glycan attached to it

With sulphur attached, very water absorbent

Question 11

Function of Phosphatid derivatives?

Function of Sphingolipids?

Answer 11

1) Membrane Formation

2) Insulation of Nerves

Question 12

What are steroids used for?

Ring property?

Answer 12

Cell signalling and regulate differentiation

Found to have more than 1 ring

Question 13

What is special about R group in Amino Acids?

Answer 13

Determine if AA is polar or non polar

Question 14

Qualities of Amino Acids? (3)

Answer 14

1) Ring: aromatic
2) Carboxyl group: Acidic
3) Amino group: Basic

Question 15

How are peptide bonds formed?

Answer 15

AA joined together via a condensation reaction