Biological molecules

Question 1

monomer

Answer 1

small units that form large molecules

Question 2

polymer

Answer 2

chain of monomers joined by codensation reaction

Question 3

starch

Answer 3

The storage polysaccharide of plants.

Amylose
-1,4 glycosidic bonds
-Unbranched helix-More compact and thus more resistant to digestion
Amylopectin
-1.4 & 1.6 glycolytic bonds
-Branched-Easily hydrolysed

Question 4

glycogen

Answer 4

-storage of glucose in animals
-Branched structure for rapid hydrolysis
-compact structure, so can pack lots of glucose into muscles
-insoluble so doesn’t effect water potential

Question 5

Cellulose

Answer 5

-A straight chain of beta-glucose
-Provide tensile strength to the primary cell wall
-H-bonds form between adjacent pairs to form fibrils

Question 6

Properties of water

Answer 6

High specific heat capacity- buffers changes in temperature
Solvent- allows transport of substances
Large latent heat of vaporization- provides a cooling effect through evaporation
Cohesion- provides surface tension supporting small organisms
Metabolite- in respiration