Biomolecules - Organic Compounds

Question 1

organic compound def’n

Answer 1

compound that contains carbon, is found in living things

Question 2

why is carbon important?

Answer 2

• forms the basis of all organic compounds due to its ability to form lage and complex molecules via covalent bonding
• carbon atoms can form four covalent bonds, w/bonds between carbon atoms being particularly stable

Question 3

four types of carbon compounds that contribute to the structure and function of a cell

Answer 3

carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids, proteins

Question 4

carbohydrates

Answer 4

• molecules consisting of carbon (C), hydrogen (H), and oxygen (O)
• commonly used in nutrition as an energy source, can also be used in cell recognition (glycoproteins) and structure (cellulose)

Question 5

lipids

Answer 5

• non-polar hydrophobic molecules that typically consist of unbranched chains (fatty acids) or ringed structures (steroids)
• serve as the main structural component of cell membranes (phospholipids and cholesterol), may also be utilised for energy storage (triglycerides)
• certain lipids may also function as signalling molecules (steroid hormones)

Question 6

nucleic acids

Answer 6

• consist of nucleotides -> pneotse sugar, phosphate group, nitrogenous base
• nucleic acids function as the genetic material of the cell, determine the inherited features of an organism
• two main types of nucleic acids: DNA functions as a master copy; RNA responsible for protein assembly

Question 7

proteins

Answer 7

• composed of 1+ chains of amino acid residues, comprise >50% of the dry weight of the cell
• perform a vast array of functions within the cell, including catalysis (enzymes), structure, signalling, and transport

Question 8

monomers def’n & relation to four types of carbon compounds

Answer 8

subunits which are covalently oinde to form polymers
- carbohydrate -> monosaccharide
- nucleic acid -> nucleotides
- proteins -> amino acids
- lipids -> do not contain monomers, but certain types may be composed of distinct subunits (fatty acid chains)

Question 9

polymerisation

Answer 9

the process to create polymers
- polymers formed from monomeric subunits via condensation reactions

Question 10

polymers

Answer 10

large macromolecules composed of smaller repeating subunits (monomers) via condensation reactions
- carbohydrates, nucleic acids, proteins, lipids

visual here: https://ib.bioninja.com.au/polymers/

Question 11

hydrolysis

Answer 11

polymers broken down into their monomeric subunits
- water molecule split to provide the -H and -OH groups required to break the covalent bond between two monomers