Biochemistry: Molecules/Compounds Important to Life Study Guide
WRITE YOUR ANSWERS ON A SEPARATE SHEET OF PAPER
1.) Define the following:
a. Organic compounds: compounds that pertain to living organisms –
carbon based
b. Inorganic compounds: molecules used by living things but are not
considered living
c. Macromolecules – large organic molecules used by living things –
pertaining to organism development
Carbohydrates are ENERGY!
2.) What are carbohydrates? sugars
3.) Define the following and provide 2 examples for each:
a. polysaccharides – potato and rice and bread
b. monosaccharides – glucose, fructose, and galactose
c. disaccharides – sucrose, maltose, and lactose
4.) What are some of examples of foods that are high in carbohydrates?
pasta, bread, rice, potato
5.) THINKING CRITICALLY. Why do athletes who compete in long distance
or marathon events often eat foods high in carbohydrates the night before
competition? because carbohydrates are easily converted into energy
Lipids store ENERGY!
6.) What is a lipid? fats
7.) What are the two major categories of fats? saturated and unsaturated
8.) Define and provide 2 examples for each of the following types of lipids:
a. waxes – bees wax and honey comb
b. steroids – cholesterol, estrogen, testosterone
c. triglycerides – olive oil, butter
9.) THINKING CRITICALLY. Fats have more carbon-hydrogen compounds
than carbohydrates ad therefore, can store more energy. Why is it then
that athletes don’t eat meals that are high in fats? because the carbon
bonds are difficult to break and so the great amounts of energy in fats are
not easily converted into energy for quick use
Fats: Good or Bad?
10.) What is the effect of a high fat diet in humans? hardening of the
arteries, weight gain, high cholesterol
11.) Sea mammals such as seals have a thick layer of at beneath its skin.
What do you think is the function of the fat layer to this animal? insulation
against to bitter cold of the Arctic and Antarctic
Proteins Provide Structure and Increase Reaction Rate
12.) What are proteins? building blocks for all body parts
13.) How many different kinds of amino acids do humans use? 20
14.) Define enzyme and what are their functions? a protein that rearranges
and changes nutrients into useable products for the body
Nucleic Acids Contain Genetic Information
15.) What are nucleic acids? genetic code for building proteins
16.) What are nucleotides? the single building blocks that come together to
make proteins
17.) Define each of the 2 major types of nucleic acids and give their
functions:
a. DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) – the genetic code used for making
RNA so that proteins can be assembled in the ribosomes
b. RNA (ribonucleic acid) – the code produced by the DNA that is the
template for the ribosome to use to assemble proteins
18.) What are genes? codes for producing proteins
19.) What are chromosomes? holds genes in place
20.) Copy the following table on your paper and fill in the answers:
Carbohydrates
Lipids
Proteins
Nucleic Acids
Elements
Present
C, H, O
C, H, O
C, H O, N, S
C, H, O, N, P
Monomer
glucose
triglyceride
amino acids
nucleotide
Examples
sugars, grains
oils, butter,
steroids
skin, hair, muscle
DNA and RNA
produce energy
produce energy,
insulation,
cushion
building block of all
things in the body
recipe for making
everything in the
body
Functions