Chapter 2 - Chemical Components of Cells and Macromolecules

Question 1

What is the importance of Carbon?

Answer 1

Backbone of biomolecules.

Question 2

What is the importance of Water?

Answer 2

Solvent of living systems.

Question 3

What is the importance of synthesis by polymerization of small molecules?

Answer 3

Many biomolecules are polymers.

Question 4

Importance of self-assembly?

Answer 4

Spontaneous formation of structural organization.

Question 5

Importance of energy?

Answer 5

Biosynthesis of macromolecular polymers requires the input of energy.

Question 6

Protons

Answer 6

Positively charged

Question 7

Neutrons

Answer 7

Electrically neutral

Question 8

Electrons

Answer 8

Negatively charged

Question 9

How do you determine the atomic number?

Answer 9

By the number of electrons or the number of protons in each atom.

Question 10

How do you determine the atomic weight?

Answer 10

The number of protons plus the number of neutrons (2x number of protons)

Question 11

What are the 4 atoms that constitute 96% of an organism’s weight?

Answer 11

Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen, and Oxygen.

Question 12

What is the valence of the atom?

Answer 12

The number of covalent bonds the atom can form.

Question 13

How would you determine the strength of a covalent bond?

Answer 13

Inversely proportional to the atomic weights of the bonding elements.

Question 14

What accounts for the abundance of C, H, N, and O in biological systems, which contribute to the diversity and stability of biological compounds?

Answer 14

The valence and low atomic weights of C, H, N, and O.

Question 15

Valence of C, O, H, and N respectively.

Answer 15

4,2,1,3.

Question 16

Most biomolecules have a backbone of covalently linked _____ atoms.

Answer 16

Carbon.

Question 17

What other atoms does carbon bond with to form stable covalent bonds and to complete its octet?

Answer 17

C, O, H, N, and S.

Question 18

Stereoisomers.

Answer 18

When bonded to four different atoms or groups.

Question 19

What two ideas of carbon allow carbon to form a diversity of stable carbon containing molecules?

Answer 19

Tetravalence (the stable association with itself and other atoms) and its tetrahedral stereoisomeric nature.

Question 20

What is the universal solvent in biological systems?

Answer 20

Water

Question 21

What is the most abundant component of cells?

Answer 21

Water (75 to 85% by weight).

Question 22

The polarity of water give rise to which two unique properties?

Answer 22

1) H-bonds lead to cohesion (forming).

2) Temperature stabilizing capacity (high heat capacity) - protect the cells from temperature fluctuations.

Question 23

Water is an excellent solvent for which types of substances, and why?

Answer 23

Hydrophilic, because of its polar bonds.

Question 24

Ionic substances (NaCl) dissolve in water because?

Answer 24

Water molecules are attracted to the positive sodium atom or negative charge of the chlorine atom of each ion.

Question 25

Polar substances (urea) dissolve in water because?

Answer 25

Their molecules form hydrogen bonds with the surrounding water molecules.

Question 26

Hydrophobic Interactions

Answer 26

Substances that contain a preponderance of nonpolar bonds which are usually insoluble in water.

Question 27

Hydrocarbons are especially _____.

Answer 27

Hydrophobic.

Question 28

Functional groups provide _____ and _____.

Answer 28

1) chemical reactivity | 2) Water solubility

Question 29

What are the building blocks of the cell?

Answer 29

Sugars, fatty acids, amino acids, and nucleotides.

Question 30

The biochemical basis of cell biology is understood through the function of what?

Answer 30

Macromolecules.

Question 31

What is the Principle of Self Assembly?

Answer 31

The information required to specify the folding of macromolecules and their interactions to form a more complicated structure with specific biological functions.

Question 32

The principle of self assembly requires _____.

Answer 32

No need for further information or energy input.

Question 33

What holds mature macromolecules together?

Answer 33

Noncovalent and covalent interactions.

Question 34

Each macromolecule is a _____ formed from _____ linked together by _____.

Answer 34

1) polymer 2) small molecules 3) covalent bonds.

Question 35

What determines the preferred conformation of a polymer chain?

Answer 35

Linear sequence of monomers.

Question 36

Synthesis of polysaccharides, proteins, and nucleic acids require what?

Answer 36

The input of energy.