Basic biochemistry

• Name three monosaccharides?


  Glucose, fructose and Galactose.
• What are the four important types of organic molecules found in all living cells?

  Proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids
• What are the key characteristics of proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids?


  • Proteins: Large biomolecules with diverse functions (e.g., enzymes, antibodies)
  • Carbohydrates: Most abundant biological molecules, consist of sugars
  • Lipids: Essential for energy storage and cell membrane structure
• What is a monomer?


  A monomer is the basic unit of a polymer
• What is polymerization?


  Polymerization is the process where monomers bind to form repeating chain molecules
• What are polymers?

  Polymers are large molecules composed of many repeating subunits
• What are macromolecules?

  Macromolecules are large molecules with specific 3D structures and functions
• What are the functions of proteins in living organisms?

  Proteins perform functions such as catalyzing reactions, immune response, structural support, and transport
• What is the role of antibodies?

  Antibodies are involved in the immune response
• What are amino acids?


  Amino acids are the primary building blocks of proteins
• What is the general structure of an amino acid?

  An amino acid consists of an amine group, a carboxyl group, and a variable side group (R group)
• How do R groups influence amino acids?

  The R group of amino acids is specific and influences their properties and functions
• What are dipeptides?

  Dipeptides are formed when two amino acids are combined by a peptide bond
• What are polypeptides?

  Polypeptides are formed when multiple amino acids join together
• How are peptide bonds formed?

  Peptide bonds are formed through a condensation reaction between the hydroxyl group of one amino acid and a hydrogen from another
• What is hydrolysis?

  Hydrolysis is the reaction that reverses peptide bond formation by using water to break chemical bonds
• How many different amino acids are found in nature?

  There are 20 different amino acids found in nature
• What are essential amino acids?

  Essential amino acids are those that cannot be produced by the body and must be obtained through diet
• What is the primary structure of a protein?

  The primary structure is the initial sequence of amino acids bonded by peptide bonds
• What is the secondary structure of a protein?

  The secondary structure is formed from hydrogen bonds between nearby amino acids, resulting in alpha helix or beta pleated sheet formations
• What is the tertiary structure of a protein?

  The tertiary structure arises from further coiling and folding of the polypeptide due to interactions between R groups
• What types of interactions can occur between R groups in proteins?

  Interactions can include hydrogen bonds, disulfide bonds, ionic bonds, and polar interactions
• What is the quaternary structure of a protein?


  The quaternary structure results from the interaction of multiple polypeptide chains
• What are the two broad groups of proteins?

  Globular and fibrous proteins
• What are globular proteins?

  Globular proteins are spherical in shape and are water-soluble
• Why are globular proteins sensitive to environmental changes?

  Globular proteins can lose stability and unravel in response to changes in pH and temperature
• What are fibrous proteins?

  Fibrous proteins are long and thin, consisting of repetitive sequences of amino acids
• What is the stability of fibrous proteins compared to globular proteins?

  Fibrous proteins are highly stable and less sensitive to changes in pH and temperature
• What are some examples of fibrous proteins?

  Collagen, keratin, and elastin
• What are carbohydrates composed of?

  Carbohydrates are composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen
• What are polysaccharides?

  Polysaccharides are long chains of sugar molecules
• What is the role of starch in plants?

  Starch is a major energy store in plants
• What is cellulose?

  Cellulose is a major structural component of primary cell walls in plants
• What is hydrolysis in relation to polysaccharides?

  Hydrolysis is when water is used to break glycosidic bonds in polysaccharides
• What is glycolysis?


  Glycolysis is the breakdown of glycogen into glucose for energy production
• What are lipids essential for?

  Lipids are essential for energy storage and cell membrane structure
• What are fatty acids?

  Fatty acids are repeating hydrocarbon units that make up lipids
• What are saturated fatty acids?

  Saturated fatty acids have carbon atoms bonded to the maximum number of hydrogens with single bonds
• What are unsaturated fatty acids?

  Unsaturated fatty acids have double or triple bonds between carbon atoms, causing bends in the chain
• Why are triglycerides well-suited for energy storage?

  Triglycerides contain twice as much energy as carbohydrates and are insoluble in water