Molecules of life

• What are the main types of biological molecules?

  Carbohydrates, amino acids, proteins, lipids
• What does evidence for evolution support?

  The theory that all organisms share common ancestors
• How do all organisms on Earth share biochemistry?

  They contain similar carbon-based compounds
• What are the two types of nucleic acids mentioned?

  DNA and RNA
• What do similarities in biochemistry suggest about organisms?

  They may have a common ancestor
• What are polymers composed of?

  Long chains of monomers
• What are monomers?

  Small, basic molecular units
• Give examples of monomers.

  Monosaccharides, amino acids, nucleotides
• How are most biological polymers formed?

  By condensation reactions of monomers
• What happens during a condensation reaction?

  A chemical bond forms, releasing water
• What is the result of a hydrolysis reaction?

  It breaks down polymers into monomers
• What does 'hydro' and 'lysis' mean in hydrolysis?

  'Hydro' means water, 'lysis' means breaking down
• How does a hydrolysis reaction differ from a condensation reaction?

  Hydrolysis adds water; condensation removes water
• What is the process of breaking down polymers?

  • Biological polymers are broken down by hydrolysis
  • Hydrolysis uses a water molecule to break bonds
  • It is the opposite of condensation reactions