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General Biology: Biomolecules and Macromolecules

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Terms in this set (20)

  • 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 chemical backbone of life and why?
    Carbon is the backbone because it can form four bonds, branch in four directions, and create diverse molecules.
  • What are functional groups in biological 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 is the monomer and polymer of carbohydrates?
    Monomer: Monosaccharide; Polymer: Polysaccharide.
  • What are the monomers and polymers of proteins?
    Monomers: Amino acids; Polymers: Polypeptides or Proteins.
  • What is the monomer and polymer of nucleic acids?
    Monomer: Nucleotide; Polymer: DNA or RNA.
  • What distinguishes DNA sugar from RNA sugar?
    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 do nucleotides link to form nucleic acids?
    Via phosphodiester bonds between the 5' phosphate and 3' hydroxyl groups.
  • What is the directionality of nucleic acid strands?
    Strands run 5' to 3' with nucleotides added to the 3' end.
  • What is the role of enzymes in cells?
    Enzymes are proteins that act as catalysts to speed up and regulate chemical reactions.
  • What determines the shape and function of a protein?
    The sequence of amino acids and interactions of their side chains determine folding and function.
  • What are the four levels of protein structure?
    Primary (amino acid sequence), Secondary (alpha helices, beta sheets), Tertiary (3D folding), Quaternary (multi-subunit assembly).
  • How can pH and temperature affect proteins?
    They can cause denaturation, disrupting bonds and altering protein shape and function.
  • What is the difference between hydrophilic and hydrophobic amino acid side chains?
    Hydrophilic side chains interact with water; hydrophobic side chains avoid water and tuck inside proteins.
  • What is ATP and its role in the cell?
    Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) is the cell's main energy currency, providing energy for cellular processes.