Chapter 5: The Structure and Function of Large Biological Molecules

Question 1

Macromolecules

Answer 1

Huge molecules, consisting of the three main macromolecules: proteins, carbohydrates, lipids and nucleic acids.

Question 2

Polymer

Answer 2

A long molecule consisting of many similar or identical building blocks linked by covalent bonds.

Question 3

Monomer

Answer 3

The repeating units that serve as a building block of a polymer.

Question 4

Enzymes

Answer 4

Specialized macromolecules that speed up chemical reactions.

Question 5

Dehydration reaction

Answer 5

The mechanism reaction by which monomers are bound to each other, producing a byproduct water molecule in the process.

Question 6

Dehydration Process Described:

Answer 6

Monomer providing an hydroxyl group (OH^-), while the other provides hydrogen (–H). This reaction repeats as more monomers are added.

HO–1–2–3–H + HO–4–H
(Short polymer) (Unlinked monomer)
= HO–1–2–3–4–H + H2O

Question 7

Hydrolysis

Answer 7

The process by which polymers are dissociated or decomposed. Water is used

HO–1–2–3–4–H + H2O =
HO–1–2–3–H + HO–1–H

Question 8

There are only __-__ different common monomers.

Answer 8

40-50

Question 9

Proteins are arranged from # amino acids

Answer 9

20

Question 10

Carbohydrates include…

Answer 10

Sugars and polymers of sugars.

Question 11

Carbohydrate: monosaccharides

Answer 11

Monomers from which more complex carbohydrates are constructed.

Question 12

Carbohydrates: disaccharides

Answer 12

Double sugars, consisting of two monosaccharides joined by a covalent bond.

Question 13

Carbohydrates: polysaccharides

Answer 13

Polymers composed of many sugar building blocks.

Question 14

Sugar: monosaccharides are generally constructed from…

Answer 14

The unit CH2O, the most common of which is glucose (C6H12O6).

Question 15

Monosaccharides contain…

Answer 15

A carbonyl group (C=O) and multiple hydroxyl groups (–OH).

Question 16

An aldose has a carbonyl group ______ its carbon skeleton, whereas a ketose has it ______ its skeleton

Answer 16

ending

within

Question 17

Name the three types of sugars and what they mean:

Answer 17

1) Trioses: 3-carbon atoms
2) Pentoses: 5-carbon atoms
3) Hexoses: 6 carbon atoms

Question 18

Explain the structure of a disaccharide

Answer 18

It consists of two monosaccharides joined by a glycosidic linkage.

Question 19

Define a glycosidic linkage

Answer 19

A covalent bond formed between two monosaccharides via dehydration reaction.

Question 20

Name all of the different types of disaccharides

Answer 20

Sucrose, maltose, lactose, trehalose, cellobiose

Question 21

Plants store polysaccharides as…

Answer 21

starch, a polymer of glucose monomers.

Question 22

Starch is decomposed via what kind of process?

Answer 22

Hydrolysis, the use of water molecules to break bonds.