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General Biology: Key Concepts from Biological Science 8e (Chapters 3-6.1)

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Terms in this set (20)

  • What is the primary structure of a protein?
    The primary structure is the unique sequence of amino acids in a polypeptide chain.
  • Define dehydration synthesis in biological molecules.
    Dehydration synthesis is a chemical reaction that links monomers by removing a water molecule.
  • What are the four major classes of biological macromolecules?
    Carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.
  • Describe the role of enzymes in biological reactions.
    Enzymes act as biological catalysts that speed up reactions by lowering activation energy.
  • What is the function of nucleic acids?
    Nucleic acids store and transmit genetic information.
  • Explain the difference between DNA and RNA.
    DNA contains deoxyribose sugar and is double-stranded; RNA contains ribose sugar and is single-stranded.
  • What is the significance of the phospholipid bilayer?
    It forms the cell membrane, creating a selective barrier for cell transport.
  • Define the term 'isomer' in carbohydrates.
    Isomers are molecules with the same molecular formula but different structural arrangements.
  • What is the role of ATP in cells?
    ATP is the primary energy currency used to power cellular processes.
  • Describe the structure of an amino acid.
    An amino acid has a central carbon bonded to an amino group, carboxyl group, hydrogen atom, and a variable R group.
  • What is the difference between saturated and unsaturated fats?
    Saturated fats have no double bonds between carbons; unsaturated fats have one or more double bonds.
  • Explain the concept of complementary base pairing in DNA.
    Adenine pairs with thymine, and cytosine pairs with guanine via hydrogen bonds.
  • What is the function of carbohydrates in cells?
    Carbohydrates provide energy storage and structural support.
  • Define hydrolysis in the context of macromolecules.
    Hydrolysis is the breakdown of polymers into monomers by adding water.
  • What determines a protein's tertiary structure?
    The tertiary structure is determined by interactions among R groups, including hydrogen bonds, ionic bonds, and hydrophobic interactions.
  • Describe the role of ribosomes in the cell.
    Ribosomes synthesize proteins by translating mRNA sequences.
  • What is the basic unit of life?
    The cell is the basic structural and functional unit of all living organisms.
  • Explain the fluid mosaic model of the cell membrane.
    The model describes the membrane as a fluid phospholipid bilayer with embedded proteins forming a mosaic.
  • What is an enzyme's active site?
    The active site is the region where substrate molecules bind and undergo a chemical reaction.
  • How do nucleotides form nucleic acids?
    Nucleotides link via phosphodiester bonds between the sugar of one nucleotide and the phosphate of the next.