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General Biology: Biomolecules and Macromolecules

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Terms in this set (24)

  • 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 is the monomer and polymer for carbohydrates?
    Monomer: Monosaccharide; Polymer: Polysaccharide.
  • What are the monomers and polymers of proteins?
    Monomers: Amino acids; Polymers: Polypeptides (proteins).
  • What is the role of carbon in biological molecules?
    Carbon forms four covalent bonds, allowing complex, diverse organic molecules essential for life.
  • What are functional groups in organic molecules?
    Specific groups of atoms attached to carbon skeletons that determine chemical properties and reactions.
  • Name three important functional groups in biomolecules.
    Hydroxyl (-OH), Carboxyl (-COOH), and Amino (-NH2) groups.
  • What charge does the amino group have at cellular pH?
    The amino group typically forms a positive charge ion in aqueous cellular environments.
  • What charge does the carboxyl group have at cellular pH?
    The carboxyl group typically forms a negative charge ion at cellular pH.
  • What is the molecular formula of glucose?
    C6H12O6.
  • What is the formula of a disaccharide formed by two glucose molecules via dehydration synthesis?
    C12H22O11 (loss of one water molecule).
  • What type of bond links amino acids in proteins?
    Peptide bonds formed by dehydration synthesis.
  • What determines the properties and folding of a protein?
    The chemical nature of the side chains (R groups) of amino acids.
  • 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).
  • What causes protein denaturation?
    Changes in temperature or pH disrupt hydrogen and ionic bonds, altering protein shape and function.
  • What are nucleotides composed of?
    A sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base.
  • What is the difference between DNA and RNA sugars?
    DNA contains deoxyribose (lacks 2' hydroxyl), RNA contains ribose (has 2' hydroxyl).
  • What bases are found in DNA and RNA?
    DNA: A, T, C, G; RNA: A, U, C, G.
  • How are nucleotides linked in nucleic acids?
    By phosphodiester bonds between the 5' phosphate and 3' hydroxyl groups.
  • What is the directionality of nucleic acid strands?
    Strands run 5' to 3' and are antiparallel in double-stranded DNA.
  • What is complementary base pairing in DNA?
    A pairs with T via two hydrogen bonds; G pairs with C via three hydrogen bonds.
  • What is ATP and its role?
    Adenosine triphosphate, the main energy currency of the cell.