Biological Molecules

• What is the role of water in cells?

  It is a major component of cells.
• Why is water considered a polar molecule?

  Due to uneven charge distribution within the molecule.
• What gives water its slight negative charge?

  The oxygen atom attracts electrons more strongly.
• What is the significance of water being a metabolite?

  It participates in condensation and hydrolysis reactions.
• What role does water play in metabolic reactions?

  It is a solvent for many reactions.
• Why does water have a high specific heat capacity?

  It requires a lot of energy to warm up.
• How does water act as a buffer in living organisms?

  It minimizes temperature fluctuations.
• What is the effect of water's latent heat of vaporization?

  It provides a cooling effect with little loss.
• How does cohesion in water molecules benefit plants?

  It enables effective transport in cells.
• What is the maximum density of water?

  4 degrees Celsius.
• Why does ice float on water?

  Ice is less dense than liquid water.
• How does water provide support in organisms?

  It is incompressible, providing good support.
• What are monomers?

  Small units that make larger molecules.
• What is a condensation reaction?

  It joins monomers by eliminating water.
• What is hydrolysis?

  It adds water to break chemical bonds.
• What are carbohydrates made of?

  Carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen.
• What are saccharides?

  Long chains of sugar units in carbohydrates.
• What are the three types of saccharides?

  Monosaccharides, disaccharides, polysaccharides.
• How are disaccharides formed?

  By condensation of monosaccharides.
• What is glucose?

  A monosaccharide with six carbon atoms.
• What are the two isomers of glucose?

  Alpha and beta glucose.
• What is maltose?

  A disaccharide formed from two glucose molecules.
• What is sucrose?

  A disaccharide formed from glucose and fructose.
• What is lactose?

  A disaccharide formed from glucose and galactose.
• What are polysaccharides made from?

  Many glucose units joined together.
• What are glycogen and starch formed from?

  Condensation of alpha glucose.
• What is the main function of glycogen?

  Energy storage in animals.
• How is glycogen structured?

  It has many side branches for quick energy release.
• What is starch's role in plants?

  It stores energy in plants.
• What are the two polysaccharides that make up starch?

  Amylose and amylopectin.
• What is amylose?

  An unbranched chain of glucose molecules.
• How does amylose's structure affect its function?

  It is coiled and compact for energy storage.
• What is amylopectin?

  A branched polysaccharide made of glucose.
• How does amylopectin's structure benefit energy release?

  It is rapidly digested due to side branches.
• What is cellulose?

  A component of cell walls in plants.
• What is the structure of cellulose?

  Long, unbranched chains of beta glucose.
• What are microfibrils?

  Strong threads made of cellulose chains.
• What is the function of microfibrils in plants?

  They provide structural support in plant cells.
• What are lipids soluble in?

  Organic solvents like alcohols.
• What are saturated lipids?

  They contain no carbon-carbon double bonds.