Textbook Question
Complete the following table to help you review the structures and functions of the four classes of organic molecules.
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Ch. 3 The Molecules of Cells
Taylor, Simon, Dickey, Hogan10th EditionCampbell Biology: Concepts & ConnectionsISBN: 9780136538783
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Table of contents
- Ch. 1 Biology: The Study of Scientific Life19
- Ch. 2 The Chemical Basis of Life17
- Ch. 3 The Molecules of Cells21
- Ch. 4 A Tour of the Cell20
- Ch. 5 The Working Cell17
- Ch. 6 How Cells Harvest Chemical Energy18
- Ch. 7 Photosynthesis: Using Light to Make Food15
- Ch. 8 The Cellular Basis of Reproduction and Inheritance22
- Ch. 9 Patterns of Inheritance17
- Ch. 10 Molecular Biology of the Gene13
- Ch. 11 How Genes Are Controlled13
- Ch. 12 DNA Technology and Genomics23
- Ch. 13 How Populations Evolve17
- Ch. 14 The Origin of Species19
- Ch. 15 Tracing Evolutionary History18
- Ch. 16 Microbial Life: Prokaryotes and Protists16
- Ch. 17 The Evolution of Plant and Fungal Diversity15
- Ch. 18 The Evolution of Invertebrate Diversity13
- Ch. 19 The Evolution of Vertebrate Diversity18
- Ch. 20 Unifying Concepts of Animal Structure and Function11
- Ch. 21 Nutrition and Digestion16
- Ch. 22 Gas Exchange16
- Ch. 23 Circulation17
- Ch. 24 The Immune System16
- Ch. 25 Control of Body Temperature and Water Balance20
- Ch. 26 Hormones and the Endocrine System10
- Ch. 27 Reproduction and Embryonic Development12
- Ch. 28 Nervous Systems10
- Ch. 29 The Senses12
- Ch. 30 How Animals Move19
- Ch. 31 Plant Structure, Growth, and Reproduction9
- Ch. 32 Plant Nutrition and Transport12
- Ch. 33 Control Systems in Plants15
- Ch. 34 The Biosphere: An Introduction to Earth's Diverse Environments15
- Ch. 35 Behavioral Adaptations to the Environment12
- Ch. 36 Population Ecology15
- Ch. 37 Communities and Ecosystems14
- Ch. 38 Conservation Biology14
Taylor, Simon, Dickey, Hogan10th EditionCampbell Biology: Concepts & ConnectionsISBN: 9780136538783Not the one you use?Change textbook
Chapter 3, Problem 3
What makes a fatty acid an acid?
a. It does not dissolve in water.
b. It is capable of bonding with other molecules to form a fat.
c. It has a carboxyl group that can donate an H+ to a solution.
d. It contains only two oxygen atoms.
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand the structure of a fatty acid: Fatty acids are composed of a long hydrocarbon chain and a carboxyl group (-COOH) at one end.
Learn what makes a molecule an acid: Acids are substances that can donate hydrogen ions (H⁺) to a solution. This is a key property of acids in chemistry and biology.
Examine the carboxyl group (-COOH): The carboxyl group in fatty acids is capable of donating an H⁺ ion because the hydrogen atom in the -COOH group is weakly bonded and can dissociate in aqueous solutions.
Evaluate the options provided: Option c states that a fatty acid has a carboxyl group that can donate an H⁺ to a solution, which aligns with the definition of an acid. The other options do not directly explain why a fatty acid is classified as an acid.
Conclude that the presence of the carboxyl group (-COOH) and its ability to donate H⁺ ions is the defining characteristic that makes a fatty acid an acid.
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Fatty Acids
Fatty acids are long hydrocarbon chains with a carboxyl group (-COOH) at one end. They are key components of lipids, which include fats and oils. The structure of fatty acids influences their properties, such as solubility and melting point, and they play crucial roles in energy storage and cellular functions.
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Fatty Acids
Carboxyl Group
The carboxyl group is a functional group characterized by a carbon atom double-bonded to an oxygen atom and single-bonded to a hydroxyl group (-OH). This group is responsible for the acidic properties of fatty acids, as it can donate a hydrogen ion (H+) to a solution, thus increasing the acidity of the solution.
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Acidity and Proton Donation
Acidity in chemistry refers to the ability of a substance to donate protons (H+) to a solution. In the context of fatty acids, the presence of the carboxyl group allows them to release H+ ions, which is what classifies them as acids. This property is essential for understanding their behavior in biological systems and their interactions with other molecules.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question
A glucose molecule is to starch as (Explain your answer.)
a. A steroid is to a lipid
b. A protein is to an amino acid
c. A nucleic acid is to a polypeptide
d. A nucleotide is to a nucleic acid
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Textbook Question
Cows can derive nutrients from cellulose because
a. They produce enzymes that recognize the shape of the glucose-glucose bonds and hydrolyze them.
b. They re-chew their cud to break down cellulose fibers.
c. Their digestive tract contains microorganisms that can hydrolyze the bonds of cellulose.
d. They convert cellulose to starch and can digest starch.
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Textbook Question
Of the following functional groups, which is/are polar, tending to make organic compounds hydrophilic?
a. Carbonyl
b. Amino
c. Hydroxyl
d. All of the above
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Textbook Question
Unsaturated fats
a. Have double bonds in their fatty acid chains
b. Have fewer fatty acid molecules per fat molecule
c. Are associated with greater health risks than are saturated fats
d. Are more common in animals than in plants
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