Molecules of Life

Question 1

Name the major elements used to construct human biomolecules

Answer 1

O, H, C, N, Na, Cl, K, Ca, S, P

Question 2

State the importance of chemical functional groups

Answer 2

Functional groups can affect how the molecule acts around other molecules e.g. OH groups allow H bonds and solubility in water, S groups allow di-sulphide bridges

Question 3

What is configuration?

Answer 3

The fixed arrangement of atoms in a molecule e.g. Cis/Trans

Question 4

What is conformation?

Answer 4

The precise arrangement of atoms in a molecule e.g. free rotation etc.

Question 5

What are the 5 types of chemical reactions which occur in living organisms?

Answer 5

• redox reactions
• making/breaking C-C bonds
• Internal rearrangements
• group transfers
• condensation/hydrolysis

Question 6

Give a feature of redox reactions and an example occurring in living organisms

Answer 6

• usually two electrons lost

- e.g. glycolysis in muscles - glucose -> pyruvate -> lactate

Question 7

Give an example of making/breaking C-C bonds that occurs in living organisms

Answer 7

e.g. cleavage of glucose in glycolysis

Question 8

Give an example of an internal rearrangement occurring in living organisms

Answer 8

e.g. glucose-6-phosphate -> fructose-6-phosphate

Question 9

Give an example of a condensation/hydrolysis reaction occurring in living organisms

Answer 9

e.g. formation (by condensation) and breaking (by hydrolysis) of nucleic acids and proteins