ch.3

Question 1

where do autotrophs obtain their organic carbon from

Answer 1

carbon dioxide in the air

Question 2

where do heterotrophs obtain organic carbon from

Answer 2

from organic material (from the autotrophs)

Question 3

what is a biomolecule

Answer 3

an organic molecule that occurs naturally in a living organisms

Question 4

what are organic molecules in biology composed of

Answer 4

carbon-hydrogen backbone and/or originate from biological sources

Question 5

what are the properties of organic compounds

Answer 5

1. arrangement of the carbon skeleton
2. the elements that are attached to the carbon skeleton: the functional groups

Question 6

what are hydrocarbons

Answer 6

organic molecules consisting of carbon and hydrogen

Question 7

what reactions do hydrocarbons undergo

Answer 7

reactions that release a large amount of energy

Question 8

why do hydrocarbons tend to clump together in water

Answer 8

due to hydrophobic interactions

Question 9

what are the types of hydrocarbon diversity

Answer 9

1. long vs short chains
2. single or multiple branched chains
3. rings

Question 10

what defines the carbon skeleton of organic compounds

Answer 10

the shape and structure of the carbons in organic compounds

Question 12

how does carbon skeleton diversity affect function

Answer 12

1. skeletons can vary in the degree of branching
2. double bonds at different locations

Question 13

what are the functional groups

Answer 13

groups attached to carbon skeletons that provides specific characteristics/functions

Question 14

how do functional groups influence organic molecules

Answer 14

they can form ionic and hydrogen bonds, causing hydrophilic properties

Question 15

what is an example of how variations in functional groups can influence biological molecules

Answer 15

estradiol and testosterone have different functional groups affecting their functions

Question 16

what is the significance of carbon’s tetravalence

Answer 16

it allows for the formation of large complex molecules

Question 17

what are the seven functional groups

Answer 17

1. hydroxyl (–OH)
2. carbonyl (>C=O)
3. carboxyl (-COOH)
4. amino (-NH2)
5. sulfhydryl (-SH)
6. phosphate (-OPO3)
7. methyl (-CH3)

Question 18

what is the role of hydroxyl groups in organic compounds

Answer 18

they provide polarity and increase solubility in water

Question 19

what distinguishes aldehydes from ketones

Answer 19

aldehydes contain a carbonyl carbon bonded to at least one hydrogen while ketones do not

Question 20

what type of sugar is glucose classified as

Answer 20

aldose

Question 21

what type of sugar is fructose classified as

Answer 21

ketose

Question 22

properties of carbonyl

Answer 22

provides polarity

Question 23

what is the characteristic of carboxyl groups

Answer 23

they can donate an H+ and are weakly acidic

Question 24

what is the significance of amino groups in amino acids

Answer 24

can accept an extra H+ atom and are generally basic

Question 25

how do amino acids act as pH buffers

Answer 25

they can donate or accept protons depending on the pH of the surrounding solution

Question 26

what is the role of sulfhydryl groups in proteins

Answer 26

they form strong bonds with other -SH groups stabilizing protein structures

Question 27

what is the function of phosphate groups in organic molecules

Answer 27

they provide polarity and can donate H+ into a solution

Question 28

how does ATP relate to phosphate groups

Answer 28

ATP contains three negatively charged phosphate groups that repel each other creating high-energy bonds

Question 29

what is the role of methyl groups in biological molecules

Answer 29

methyl groups act as identity tags and can affect gene expression

Question 30

what is the diversity of organic biomolecules

Answer 30

-carbon skeleton arrangements and bonds - functional group combinations leading to different functions

Question 31

what is an isomer

Answer 31

compounds with the same molecular formula but different structures and properties

Question 32

what are the two types of isomers

Answer 32

-structural isomers: different covalent arrangements (glucose, fructose, galactose) -stereoisomers: some covalent arrangements but differ in spatial arrangements

Question 33

what are geometric isomers

Answer 33

have the same covalent arrangements but differ in spatial arrangements

Question 34

what is the difference between cis and trans isomers

Answer 34

cis isomers are on the same side, while trans isomers are on opposite sides

Question 35

why are cis fats considered healthier

Answer 35

they are easier to digest

Question 36

what is the significance of enantiomers in biology

Answer 36

cells recognize only one enantiomer which is biologically active

Question 37

how can enantiomers affect drug efficacy

Answer 37

different enantiomers can have different effects on organisms

Question 38

what is the difference between monomers and polymers

Answer 38

monomer: small molecule polymer: many monomers bonded together via condensation reactions

Question 39

what is required for condensation reactions

Answer 39

energy and a catalyst