Study Guide Biochemistry and Enzymes
Complete the following outline on a SEPARATE PIECE OF PAPER. Or you may open this file off the
notebook index and type/paste pictures directly into it. Use the BOLD HEADINGS as the heading of your
study outline
Intro to Macromolecules:
- Basic vocabulary:
o Macromolecule, monomer, polymer, Organic, Inorganic, hydrocarbons;
o Begin by defining each of these words on your paper, providing any relevant descriptions and
include examples of each. CHALLENGE yourself with your examples (in other words, putting the
obvious examples isn’t always helpful)
-
-
-
-
Building and Breaking down molecules
o Dehydration synthesis vs. Hydrolysis
o Know which is building and which is breaking down
o What atoms are added to or subtracted from the reaction
o Be able to draw products of either reaction when given the reactants
On your paper define each and draw out a complete example for each reaction. NOT THE GENERIC
REACTION. I would recommend including one for each example we know (carbs, proteins and lipids)
Circle or highlight the atoms that are being removed or the location where the atoms are being added in. If
you need more help look at some of the animations on our resources page.
Carbohydrates
o Basic vocabulary:
 Define: monosaccharide, disaccharide, polysaccharide
 Include the following examples in the correct category: glucose, fructose, ribose, lactose,
sucrose, Amylose (starch), cellulose (fiber), chitin, glycogen
o Structure:
 What elements make up carbs?
 What ratio of these elements make up a monosaccharide?
 Draw a picture of a monosaccharide, a disaccharide and a polysaccharide
 Draw a diagram of how two monosaccharides are linked to make disaccharides
o Functions:
 Know ALL of the functions and the specific differences between them
 You are responsible for the specific functions of Amylose (starch), cellulose (fiber), chitin,
glycogen AND what organism they might be found in
Lipids:
o Basic vocabulary:
 Define: saturated, unsaturated, trans, hydrogenated INCLUDING their chemical differences,
health effects and phase at room temperature.
o Examples:
 List triglycerides (fats or oils), steroids (cholesterol), phospholipids and waxes as your
examples of lipids
o Structure
 What elements make up lipids?
 What components are linked to make a triglycerides?
 Draw the reaction linking glycerol and three fatty acids. Label all the parts
 Draw the basic ring structure of a steroid
o Functions:
 List the specific functions of lipids including phospholipids
-
Proteins:
o Basic vocabulary:
 Define: Amino group, carboxyl group and variable R group; Peptide bond
o Structure:
 What elements make up proteins?
 Draw a diagram of an amino acid and label its parts
 Draw a diagram of the dehydration synthesis of two amino acids
 List the four levels of protein folding and describe what is included in each
o Function
 List the four groups of proteins and their individual functions
-
Nucleic Acids:
o Basic Vocabulary:
 Define: Nucleus, Phosphate group, nitrogenous base
o Structure:
 What elements make up nucleic acids
 Diagram a nucleotide and label the three parts
 What is the general shape of both nucleic acids
 Compare and contrast RNA and DNA structurally
o Function:
 Compare what RNA and DNA do. It is OK to use analogies to help you remember, but you
need to be able to put the REAL thing on the test. (in other words “DNA is the cookbook
and RNA is the index card” is not an acceptable answer on the test)
Other Key Molecules in the body:
- Functions of water:
o List the functions of water and then provide an example of how each is demonstrated in the body.
Yes, all of them
-
Functions of Minerals:
o List the major functions of minerals and then provide specific examples of minerals and where they
“work” in the body. Yes, all of them.
Enzymes: ase refers to enzymes!
- Basics:
o Begin with a definition of what an enzyme is, what it does and how
-
Structure:
o Explain how the structure of an enzyme relates to its function. Include a discussion of the levels of
protein structure, active site and relationship to substrate
o Compare and contrast the two theories of enzyme function (induced fit vs. lock and key)
-
Optimal conditions:
o Explain how each of the following change the rate of a chemical reaction: temperature (high AND
low), pH, substrate concentration. Use proper vocabulary (denaturation) and a description of what
it means (what levels of protein structure are effected)
o Explain how some enzymes need helper molecules and how they work. Include the two types and
examples of each.
-
Energy Diagram
o Draw an energy diagram and label the activation energy.
o Define activation energy, endergonic and exergonic.
o Describe how one can tell the two types of reactions above apart.
-
Enzyme inhibition
o Explain why the body would want to shut a reaction down
o Describe and compare the two types of inhibition. Diagrams are ok for studying but you must be
able to VERBALLY explain the process
Lab information:
-
Enzymes:
o Know the substrates and products of lactase, amylase, catalase and lipase
o How did we measure each reaction
-
Testing for Macromolecules:
o Know what iodine, benedicts, biuret test for and how to interpret data for these tests
General tips:
It is recommended that make flashcards for each of these structures and focus on defining characteristics not
specific pictures (remember there is some flexibility in how these can be drawn!)
You will not be asked to draw structure from memory but you WILL need to recognize the structures on this
study guide.
ALSO given structure of reactants you should be able to draw the finished products of dehydration synthesis
OR Hydrolysis.
(for example: here are some pictures of glycerol and fatty acids, now draw a triglyceride and water)
Remember how I said study guides are personal and you may leave off sections that you are confident you
know? That still applies IF AND ONLY IF you scored a 80% or higher on the first test. If you scored below
that, it tells me you may be underestimating what you know or how well you know it. Although it is
recommended that EVERYONE fill out this study guide completely, all students with a 80% or below on the
last test must have a FULLY study guide completed to receive credit.