biomolecules

Question 1

What is the difference between inorganic and organic compounds

Answer 1

Inorganic: Have cations + anions, bonded ionically, Few atoms, associated with non-living matter
Organic: Always contain carbon + hydrogen, bonded covalently, many atoms, associated with living systems

Question 2

What is a polymer

Answer 2

A large molecule (macromolecule) made up of repeating subunits, called MONOMERS

Question 3

How is a polymer formed

Answer 3

Formed through dehydration (used to connected monomers together to form polymers)

Question 4

How is a polymer broken down

Answer 4

Broken down through hydrolysis (Used to disassemble polymers back to monomers)

Question 5

Why are biomolecules impt for life processes

Answer 5

Store energy
Form cell membranes
Provide structural support
Help control chem reactions in organisms
Store hereditary information

Question 6

Uses of carbohydrates

Answer 6

Energy store (e.g. glucose)
Important “mats” for building other biomolecules
Structural components for cells

Question 7

Classifications of carbohydrates

Answer 7

Monosaccharides, Disaccharides, Polysaccharides

Question 8

What are monosaccharides

Answer 8

Simplest and smallest form of carbs
Monomers of carbs
single sugar molecule
(e.g. glucose, fructose, galactose)

Question 9

What are disaccharides

Answer 9

Made of 2 monosaccharides
Joined through dehydration
(e.g. sucrose, lactose, maltose)

Question 10

What are polysaccharides

Answer 10

Made of many monosaccharides
Most abundant carbs in food

Examples:
- Glycogen (animals, as energy storage)
- Starch (plants, as energy storage)
- Cellulose (plants, as structural support)
- Chitin (insects, carb, as protective coating)

Question 11

What areee lipids

Answer 11

Long-chained hydrocarbon molecules with carboxylic acid (COOH) functional grp
NOT POLYMERS and insoluble in water
(e.g. triglycerides, phospholipids, cholesterols, steroids)

Question 12

What is the structure and function of Triglyceride

Answer 12

Structure: 1 Glycerol to 3 fatty acid chains

Functions: Energy storage, insulation, Cushioning or organs and tissues (like shock absorbers)

Question 12

What is structure and function of Cholestrol

Answer 12

Structure: 4 interconnected carbon rings

Function: Stabilisation of the cell membrane, used by body to synthesise hormones, made into bile to help digestion

Question 13

What is structure of phospholipid

Answer 13

1 glycerol linked to 1 phosphate grp + 2 fatty acid chains

Main component of cell membrane

Question 14

Differences between Saturated and Unsaturated fatty acids

Answer 14

Saturated: no double bonds, solid at rtp, originates from animals
Unsaturated: One or more double bonds, liquid at rtp, originate from plants

Question 15

Functions of proteins

Answer 15

Mechanical support / movement (muscles, collagen)
Enzymes (biological catalyst)
Transport (Haemoglobin)
Defense (antibodies)
Body regulation (hormones)
Support (keratin, collagen)

Question 16

What r amino acids

Answer 16

Monomers / building blocks of protein
Joined by peptide bond to form polypeptide chain

Question 17

Difference between polypeptide chain and protein

Answer 17

Polypeptide chain hasn’t been folded to its functional shape

Protein has been folded into functional shape

Question 18

What is the formula for peptide bonds / how to identify them

Answer 18

Peptide bond has a C=O connected to a N-H bond
H-N-C=O is the formula