introduction to Biological molecules and Carbohydrates

Question 1

How are carbohydrates used by cells?

Answer 1

They are used as respiratory substrates. They also form structural components in plasma membranes and cell walls

Question 2

How are lipids used by cells?

Answer 2

Lipids have many uses, including the bilayer of plasma membranes, certain hormones and as respiratory substrates.

Question 3

What are the uses of proteins?

Answer 3

Proteins form many cell structures. They are also important as enzymes, chemical messengers and components of the blood.

Question 4

What is the role of Nucleic acids?

Answer 4

Nucleic acids carry the genetic code for the production of proteins.

Question 5

Why does our search for life elsewhere in the universe involve a search for liquid water?

Answer 5

Because the most common component of cells is water

Question 6

What are monomers? (definition)

Answer 6

Monomers are the smaller units from which larger molecules are made.

Question 7

What are polymers? (definition)

Answer 7

Polymers are molecules made from a large number of monomers joined together.

Question 8

What is a condensation reaction?

Answer 8

A condensation reaction joins two molecules together with the formation of a chemical bond and involves the elimination of a molecule of water.

Question 9

What is a Hydrolysis reaction?

Answer 9

A hydrolysis reaction breaks a chemical bond between two molecules and involves the use of a water molecule

Question 10

What are carbon containing molecules also known as?

Answer 10

organic molecules

Question 11

Why is life based on a small number of chemical elements?

Answer 11

Because only a few elements can attach to a carbon atom

Question 12

What are monosaccharides and give some examples? (include general formula)

Answer 12

The single units (monomers) from which all the larger carbohydrates are built. They are sweet-tasting, soluble substances that have the general formula (CH2O)n where n can be any number from 3 to 7. Glucose, galactose and fructose

Question 13

What bond is formed between two monosaccharides in a condensation reaction?

Answer 13

A glycosidic bond.

Question 14

What are disaccharides and give some examples?

Answer 14

When two monosaccharides are joined together by a chemical reaction. A molecule of water is also formed (so it’s a condensation reaction)

glucose + glucose = maltose + water

glucose + fructose = sucrose + water

glucose + galactose = lactose + water

Question 15

Glucose is a ___ sugar?

Answer 15

hexose

Question 16

Why is Glucose extremely soluble in water?

Answer 16

Because it contains a large number of hydroxyl groups

Question 17

Why do hydroxyl groups make glucose very soluble in water?

Answer 17

Hydroxyl groups are polar molecules, due to the positive hydrogen ion and negative oxygen ions. This means that the hydroxyl groups can form hydrogen bonds with water molecules, making hydroxyl groups hydrophyllic

Question 18

What type of glycosidic bond links alpha glucose molecules together?

Answer 18

1,4 glycosidic bond

Question 19

What are the two different isomers of glucose?

Answer 19

Alpha and Beta

Question 20

What are the three elements that carbohydrates contain?

Answer 20

Carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen

Question 21

What is the definition of sugar?

Answer 21

A small, water-soluble molecules that taste sweet

Question 22

What are polysaccharides?

Answer 22

polymers, which monomers are monosaccharides. Polysaccharides are formed by the condensation of many glucose units.

Question 23

What two substances are formed by the condensation of alpha glucose?

Answer 23

glycogen and startch

Question 24

What substance is formed by the condensation of beta glucose?

Answer 24

cellulose