Molecules of Life

Question 1

Describe aliphatic compounds

Answer 1

Straight or branched with single or double bonds; NOT RINGED

Question 2

Important characteristics of aromaticity

Answer 2

Planar; cyclic; conjugated double bonds; chemically stable due to delocalization of electrons

Question 3

What does heterocyclic mean for aromatic compounds?

Answer 3

A carbon is substituted with something else; like a nitrogen

Question 4

What allows aromatic heterocyclic compounds to stack?

Answer 4

Hydrophobic faces and polar hydrogen bonding edge

Question 5

Name the purines

Answer 5

Adenine and Guanine

Question 6

Name the pyrimidines

Answer 6

Cytosine and Thymine

Question 7

Definition of lipids

Answer 7

Biomolecules that are more soluble in an organic solvent than in water

Question 8

What is a fatty acid made of?

Answer 8

Carboxylic acid with long hydrocarbon tails

Question 9

Definition of complex lipids

Answer 9

fatty acids attached to a “backbone” (glycerol, sphingosine, sterol, etc.)