Organic Chemistry Homework
Advanced Biology
Name ________________________________________
1.
Date _____________
a. Explain what is meant by dehydration synthesis.
b. What is the opposite process called?
c. What is the importance of these relative to biological molecules?
2.
Define monomer and polymer.
Monomer =
Polymer =
3.
What are the four main classes of organic molecules? Name two specific common
examples of molecules that could be included in each group (you can look this up online).
4.
What is the name of the specific covalent bond that links monosaccharides together?
5.
a. Compare the structure of starch with that of cellulose - how do their structures differ?
b. How does the difference affect the use of each carbohydrate as a food source?
6.
Lipids are a diverse group of molecules that are not made of monomers.
a. What common trait do all lipids share that place them together in this category?
b. What gives these molecules this trait?
7.
a. What two molecules make up a fat?
b. Which part of the fat is hydrophobic?
c. Distinguish between a saturated fat, and an unsaturated fat.
8.
Describe the general structure of phospholipids. Which parts are hydrophobic? Which
parts are hydrophilic?
9.
Name five major functions/jobs of proteins in the body.
10. a. How many different types of amino acids are there?
b. Name of the major functional groups found in all amino acids.
c. What is the name of the bond that links amino acid monomers together to form a
polypeptide?
d. Briefly describe the first 3 levels of protein conformation.
11. a. What is denaturation?
b. How or when may it occur?
c. What specifically happens to a protein when it becomes denatured (which levels of
conformation does it lose?)
12. Compare and contrast the structure (monomers and overall structures) of DNA and RNA (a
chart is fine).