Skip to main content
Back

General Biology: Biomolecules and Macromolecules

Control buttons has been changed to "navigation" mode.
1/21

Terms in this set (21)

  • What are the four main classes of biological macromolecules?
    Nucleic acids, Proteins, Carbohydrates, and Lipids.
  • What is a polymer and what are its building blocks?
    A polymer is a large molecule made of repeating smaller units called monomers.
  • What process links monomers to form polymers?
    Dehydration synthesis (condensation) removes water to form a new bond between monomers.
  • How are polymers broken down into monomers?
    Hydrolysis adds water to break bonds, releasing monomers from polymers.
  • What are the monomers and polymers of carbohydrates?
    Monomers: Monosaccharides; Polymers: Polysaccharides.
  • What are the monomers and polymers of proteins?
    Monomers: Amino acids; Polymers: Polypeptides (proteins).
  • What are the monomers and polymers of nucleic acids?
    Monomers: Nucleotides; Polymers: DNA and RNA.
  • Why is carbon essential in biological molecules?
    Carbon can form four covalent bonds, allowing complex, diverse molecules with various shapes and functions.
  • What is the role of functional groups in biomolecules?
    Functional groups are specific groups of atoms that participate in chemical reactions and determine molecule properties.
  • Name six common functional groups in biological molecules.
    Hydroxyl, Carbonyl, Carboxyl, Amino, Sulfhydryl, Phosphate.
  • What charge does the amino group carry at cellular pH?
    The amino group is basic and typically forms a positive charge ion in aqueous cellular pH.
  • What charge does the carboxyl group carry at cellular pH?
    The carboxyl group is acidic and typically forms a negative charge ion in aqueous cellular pH.
  • What is the molecular formula of glucose and a disaccharide made from two glucose molecules?
    Glucose: C6H12O6; Disaccharide (e.g., maltose): C12H22O11 after dehydration synthesis.
  • What type of bond links amino acids in proteins?
    A peptide bond links amino acids via dehydration synthesis.
  • What determines the properties and folding of a protein?
    The side chains (R groups) of amino acids determine protein folding and function.
  • What are the four levels of protein structure?
    Primary (amino acid sequence), Secondary (alpha helices and beta sheets), Tertiary (3D folding), and Quaternary (multi-subunit assembly).
  • How can changes in pH or temperature affect proteins?
    They can cause denaturation, disrupting hydrogen and ionic bonds, leading to loss of structure and function.
  • What is the difference between DNA and RNA sugars?
    DNA contains deoxyribose (lacking an -OH at 2' carbon), RNA contains ribose (with an -OH at 2' carbon).
  • What bases are found in DNA and RNA?
    DNA: A, T, C, G; RNA: A, U, C, G (Uracil replaces Thymine).
  • What type of bonds hold complementary DNA bases together?
    Hydrogen bonds: A-T pairs have two bonds; G-C pairs have three bonds.
  • What is the directionality of nucleic acid strands?
    Nucleic acids have a 5' to 3' direction, with nucleotides linked by phosphodiester bonds between 5' phosphate and 3' hydroxyl groups.