Study Guide: Introduction to Biomolecules – Step-by-Step Guidance

Q1. What are the most abundant six elements in the human body?

Background

Topic: Elements in Human Biology

This question tests your knowledge of the basic chemical elements that make up the majority of the human body and their importance in nutrition and physiology.

Key Terms:

• Element: A pure substance consisting of only one type of atom.

• Atom: The smallest unit of an element, retaining its chemical properties.

Step-by-Step Guidance

1. Recall that the human body is composed mostly of a few key elements, which are essential for life and biological functions.

2. Think about which elements are commonly found in water, proteins, carbohydrates, and fats, as these are major components of the body.

3. Consider the periodic table and focus on elements that are non-metals and are involved in organic molecules.

4. List the elements you believe are most abundant, based on their roles in biomolecules and cellular processes.

Try solving on your own before revealing the answer!

Final Answer: Oxygen, Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen, Calcium, and Phosphorus

These six elements make up the vast majority of the human body's mass and are critical for structure, metabolism, and function.

Q2. Differentiate between organic and inorganic compounds.

Background

Topic: Chemical Classification

This question is testing your understanding of the distinction between organic and inorganic compounds, which is fundamental in biochemistry and nutrition.

Key Terms:

• Organic Compound: Contains carbon atoms, usually bonded to hydrogen, and often forms the basis of living organisms.

• Inorganic Compound: Does not contain carbon-hydrogen bonds; includes salts, metals, and minerals.

Step-by-Step Guidance

1. Recall the definition of organic compounds and their typical characteristics (carbon-based, often found in living things).

2. Think about examples of organic compounds (e.g., glucose, proteins, lipids).

3. Contrast these with inorganic compounds, which may include water, salts, and minerals.

4. Summarize the main differences in structure and function between the two types.

Try solving on your own before revealing the answer!

Final Answer: Organic compounds contain carbon-hydrogen bonds and are typically found in living organisms; inorganic compounds do not contain these bonds and include minerals, salts, and water.

The distinction is important for understanding metabolism and nutrient requirements.

Q3. What are the major functional groups in organic compounds? Be able to identify hydroxyl, carbonyl, methyl, carboxyl, amino, and phosphate groups.

Background

Topic: Functional Groups in Biochemistry

This question tests your ability to recognize and understand the chemical groups that define the properties and reactivity of organic molecules.

Key Terms and Structures:

• Hydroxyl group: $\text{–OH}$

• Carbonyl group: $\text{C=O}$

• Methyl group: $\text{–CH}_3$

• Carboxyl group: $\text{–COOH}$

• Amino group: $\text{–NH}_2$

• Phosphate group: $\text{–PO}_4^{2-}$

Step-by-Step Guidance

1. Review the chemical structure of each functional group listed above.

2. Understand how each group affects the properties of the molecule (e.g., polarity, acidity, reactivity).

3. Practice identifying these groups in structural formulas of biomolecules.

4. Consider examples of biomolecules where these groups are present (e.g., amino acids, nucleotides).

Try solving on your own before revealing the answer!

Final Answer: The major functional groups are hydroxyl (–OH), carbonyl (C=O), methyl (–CH₃), carboxyl (–COOH), amino (–NH₂), and phosphate (–PO₄²⁻).

Each group imparts specific chemical properties to organic molecules, influencing their biological roles.

Q4. What is an isomer? Why are they important?

Background

Topic: Isomerism in Chemistry

This question tests your understanding of isomers—molecules with the same formula but different structures—and their significance in biology and nutrition.

Key Terms:

• Isomer: Molecules with the same molecular formula but different structural arrangements.

Step-by-Step Guidance

1. Recall the definition of isomers and the types (structural, geometric, optical).

2. Think about how isomers can have different physical and chemical properties despite having the same formula.

3. Consider examples in nutrition, such as glucose and fructose, which are isomers.

4. Reflect on why isomerism is important for biological function and metabolism.

Try solving on your own before revealing the answer!

Final Answer: Isomers are molecules with the same formula but different structures; they are important because their different arrangements can lead to different biological functions and properties.

For example, isomers can affect how nutrients are metabolized in the body.

Q5. What is a monomer? a polymer?

Background

Topic: Macromolecules in Biology

This question tests your understanding of the building blocks of biomolecules and how they assemble into larger structures.

Key Terms:

• Monomer: A small molecule that can join with others to form a polymer.

• Polymer: A large molecule made up of repeating monomer units.

Step-by-Step Guidance

1. Recall the definitions of monomer and polymer.

2. Think about examples in biology, such as amino acids (monomers) forming proteins (polymers).

3. Consider how monomers are linked together through chemical reactions.

4. Reflect on the importance of polymers in structure and function of cells.

Try solving on your own before revealing the answer!

Final Answer: A monomer is a small molecule that can join with others to form a polymer; a polymer is a large molecule made up of repeating monomer units.

This concept is key to understanding proteins, carbohydrates, and nucleic acids.

Q6. What is a dehydration synthesis reaction? a hydrolysis reaction? What does each reaction do?

Background

Topic: Chemical Reactions in Biochemistry

This question tests your understanding of how biomolecules are built and broken down in the body.

Key Terms and Formulas:

• Dehydration Synthesis: A reaction where two molecules are joined by removing a water molecule.

• Hydrolysis: A reaction where a molecule is split into two by adding a water molecule.

Step-by-Step Guidance

1. Recall the definitions of dehydration synthesis and hydrolysis.

2. Think about how dehydration synthesis builds polymers from monomers (e.g., forming proteins from amino acids).

3. Consider how hydrolysis breaks polymers into monomers (e.g., digesting starch into glucose).

4. Write the general equations for each reaction:

   • Dehydration synthesis: $\text{Monomer}_1 + \text{Monomer}_2 \rightarrow \text{Polymer} + \text{H}_2\text{O}$

   • Hydrolysis: $\text{Polymer} + \text{H}_2\text{O} \rightarrow \text{Monomer}_1 + \text{Monomer}_2$

Try solving on your own before revealing the answer!

Final Answer: Dehydration synthesis joins monomers by removing water; hydrolysis splits polymers by adding water.

These reactions are essential for building and breaking down biomolecules in nutrition and metabolism.

Q7. What are the four classes of biomolecules? What are the monomers and polymers of each?

Background

Topic: Biomolecule Classification

This question tests your knowledge of the main types of biomolecules and their structural organization.

Key Terms:

• Biomolecule: A molecule produced by living organisms, essential for life.

• Monomer and Polymer: As defined above.

Step-by-Step Guidance

1. Recall the four main classes of biomolecules: carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids.

2. Identify the monomers for each class (e.g., monosaccharides for carbohydrates).

3. Identify the polymers for each class (e.g., polysaccharides for carbohydrates).

4. Think about examples of each class and their biological roles.

Try solving on your own before revealing the answer!

Final Answer: Carbohydrates (monosaccharides/polysaccharides), proteins (amino acids/polypeptides), lipids (fatty acids/triglycerides), nucleic acids (nucleotides/DNA or RNA).

Each class has unique monomers and polymers that determine their function in the body.

Vocabulary: Define, recognize in context, and use the following terms:

Background

Topic: Fundamental Chemistry Vocabulary

This section tests your ability to understand and use key terms related to biomolecules and chemistry in nutrition.

Key Terms:

• Atom: The smallest unit of an element.

• Element: A substance made of only one kind of atom.

• Molecule: Two or more atoms bonded together.

• Compound: A substance made of two or more elements chemically bonded.

• Inorganic: Not containing carbon-hydrogen bonds.

• Organic: Contains carbon-hydrogen bonds.

• Isomer: Same formula, different structure.

• Dehydration synthesis: Builds polymers by removing water.

• Hydrolysis: Breaks polymers by adding water.

• Monomer: Small building block molecule.

• Polymer: Large molecule made of repeating monomers.

Step-by-Step Guidance

1. Review each term and its definition.

2. Practice using each term in a sentence related to nutrition or biochemistry.

3. Identify examples of each term in real-life biological contexts.

Try solving on your own before revealing the answer!

Final Answer: Definitions and examples as listed above.

Mastery of these terms is essential for understanding biomolecules and their roles in nutrition.