Skip to main content
Back

General Biology: Biomolecules and Protein Structure

Control buttons has been changed to "navigation" mode.
1/21
  • What are the four main classes of biomolecules essential for life?
    Proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, and lipids are the four main classes of biomolecules with specific functions in life.
  • What is a polymer and how is it formed?
    A polymer is a large molecule made by bonding together many monomers through polymerization.
  • What is a condensation reaction in biomolecule synthesis?
    A condensation (dehydration) reaction joins monomers by removing water (H and OH) to form a covalent bond.
  • What is hydrolysis in the context of biomolecules?
    Hydrolysis breaks polymers into monomers by adding water, reversing condensation reactions.
  • What are monosaccharides and their general formula?
    Monosaccharides are the smallest sugars with the general formula \(C_n(H_2O)_n\), often 3-6 carbons.
  • How do monosaccharides join to form complex carbohydrates?
    Monosaccharides join by glycosidic bonds formed in condensation reactions; bonds can be α or β depending on sugar form.
  • What determines polysaccharide branching patterns?
    Branching depends on the type of glycosidic bonds: β-1,4 bonds form linear chains, while α-1,4 and α-1,6 bonds form branched chains.
  • What are the roles of carbohydrates in cells?
    Carbohydrates store energy, provide structure, and serve as cell identity markers.
  • What are the monomers of proteins?
    Proteins are polymers of amino acids, each with an amino group, carboxyl group, and unique R side chain.
  • What type of bond links amino acids in proteins?
    Amino acids are linked by peptide bonds formed by condensation reactions.
  • What are the four levels of protein structure?
    Primary (amino acid sequence), secondary (α-helices and β-sheets), tertiary (3D folding), and quaternary (multiple subunits).
  • What stabilizes secondary protein structures?
    Secondary structures are stabilized by hydrogen bonds between backbone amino and carboxyl groups.
  • What interactions stabilize tertiary protein structure?
    Tertiary structure is stabilized by disulfide bridges, ionic bonds, hydrogen bonds, van der Waals forces between R groups.
  • What is quaternary protein structure?
    Quaternary structure is the assembly of multiple folded polypeptide subunits into a functional protein.
  • What happens during protein denaturation?
    Denaturation is the loss of 3D structure due to heat, pH, or chemicals, causing loss of function; some proteins can refold.
  • What role do molecular chaperones play in protein folding?
    Molecular chaperones assist proteins in folding correctly and prevent misfolding or aggregation.
  • What are prions and how do they cause disease?
    Prions are misfolded proteins that induce misfolding in normal proteins, leading to infectious diseases.
  • What are nucleotides composed of?
    Nucleotides consist of a nitrogenous base, a pentose sugar, and a phosphate group.
  • How are nucleotides linked in nucleic acids?
    Nucleotides are linked by phosphodiester bonds forming a sugar-phosphate backbone.
  • In which direction are nucleic acids synthesized?
    Nucleic acids are synthesized in the 5’ to 3’ direction.
  • What are the main functions of DNA and RNA?
    DNA stores genetic information; RNA is involved in protein synthesis, regulation, and enzymatic functions.