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Biomolecule Basics Flashcards
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1
Question
What is a polymer in biological context?
Page 1
Answer
A large molecule made up of many repeating units called monomers.
2
Question
What defines a monomer?
Page 1
Answer
A small, basic building-block molecule.
3
Question
Which three of the four major classes of life's organic molecules are polymers?
Page 1
Answer
Carbohydrates, proteins, nucleic acids.
4
Question
How are monomers linked to form polymers?
Page 1
Answer
By condensation (dehydration) reactions removing a water molecule.
5
Question
What role do enzymes play in polymer formation?
Page 1
Answer
They catalyze dehydration reactions.
6
Question
What is the reverse process of dehydration synthesis for polymers?
Page 1
Answer
Hydrolysis, splitting a polymer by adding water.
7
Question
What are carbohydrates composed of?
Page 1
Answer
Sugars and polymers of sugars.
8
Question
What is the general formula for monosaccharides?
Page 1
Answer
Multiples of CH₂O.
9
Question
What is glucose's chemical formula?
Page 1
Answer
C₆H₁₂O₆.
10
Question
What functional groups do monosaccharides have?
Page 1
Answer
Hydroxyl groups (-OH) and a carbonyl group (aldehyde or ketone).
11
Question
How are disaccharides formed?
Page 1
Answer
Two monosaccharides join via a glycosidic linkage through dehydration.
12
Question
What is maltose composed of?
Page 1
Answer
Glucose + glucose.
13
Question
What makes up sucrose?
Page 1
Answer
Glucose + fructose.
14
Question
What is lactose made from?
Page 1
Answer
Glucose + galactose.
15
Question
What are polysaccharides?
Page 1
Answer
Long chains of sugars serving storage or structural roles.
16
Question
What determines polysaccharide properties?
Page 1
Answer
The monosaccharide used and arrangement of glycosidic linkages.
17
Question
What is starch's role and composition?
Page 1
Answer
Plant storage form; glucose monomers with α-1,4 linkages, often branched.
18
Question
What is glycogen?
Page 1
Answer
Animal storage form of glucose.
19
Question
What is cellulose?
Page 1
Answer
Structural component in plant cell walls; β-glucose with β-1,4 linkages, insoluble.
20
Question
Where is chitin found?
Page 1
Answer
In exoskeletons of arthropods and fungal cell walls; structural polysaccharide.
21
Question
Why don't lipids form polymers like carbs, proteins, and nucleic acids?
Page 2
Answer
They are hydrophobic due to long hydrocarbon components and don't link via dehydration in the same way.
22
Question
What makes lipids hydrophobic?
Page 2
Answer
Long nonpolar hydrocarbon components.
23
Question
What are the major types of lipids?
Page 2
Answer
Fats (triacylglycerols/triglycerides), phospholipids, steroids.
24
Question
What composes a triglyceride?
Page 2
Answer
Glycerol + three fatty acids.
25
Question
What is glycerol?
Page 2
Answer
A 3-carbon alcohol with hydroxyl groups on each carbon.
26
Question
What is a fatty acid?
Page 2
Answer
Long carbon chain with a carboxyl group at one end.
27
Question
How are glycerol and fatty acids joined?
Page 2
Answer
Via ester linkages through dehydration reaction.
28
Question
What characterizes saturated fatty acids?
Page 2
Answer
Maximum hydrogens, no double bonds; solid at room temperature (e.g., animal fats).
29
Question
What defines unsaturated fatty acids?
Page 2
Answer
One or more double bonds causing kinks; liquid at room temperature (e.g., plant oils).
30
Question
What is a polypeptide?
Page 2
Answer
A polymer of amino acids.