Unit 2 Test Review – Chemistry of Life
Name _____________________________ Hour _____
Macromolecule Structure and Function – LT 2.1
1. What are the 6 most common elements in living organisms or organic molecules?
Nitrogen, Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, Phosphorus, and Sulfur (NCHOPS).
2. What are trace elements?
Elements necessary in small amounts for the body.
3. Why is carbon so important to living things?
It can form 4 bonds; is versatile which allows it to form large molecules (macromolecules – the
basis of life).
4. The prefix mono means ____ONE____ in science, whereas the prefix poly means ___Many___.
5. Complete the table below.
Macromolecule or
Polymer
Monomer or
Subunit
Functions in Human Body


Building Body Structures (i.e.
muscles)
Aids in
digestion/Metabolism/Immunity


Short-term Energy Release
Fiber keeps us regular.
Fruits, Pasta,
Breads
(Triglycerides) 
3 fatty acids & 
Glycerol

Long-term Energy Storage
Insulation
Form Protective Coatings
around cells and organs
Oils, Butter

Forms Genetic information
Found in all living
things and
therefore all cells
and food.
Amino Acids
Protein/Polypeptide
Carbohydrates or
Polysaccharide
Lipids or Fats
(Saturated,
Unsaturated, Trans)
Monosaccharides or
Simple Sugars
Nucleotides
Nucleic Acids
(DNA and RNA)
Examples of foods
that contain this
molecule
Meats, Beans
6. What important information can be found on a food label in relationship to the things we have been
studying this unit? Why is it important to have this information available for the public?
It can tell us the amount of carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids as well as some trace nutrients like
sodium, etc. It can help us by knowing what is in your food, what the body needs overall, and
helps us determine what is important to our overall health.
7. As a mountain bike racer what do you think I might look for on a food label when choosing my diet
plan for the week before a big race? Why?
Carbohydrates because this individual will need a great deal of short-term energy to complete the
race.
A
B
C
Look at the Food Labels above and use them to answer the questions below.
8. Food label A should be placed in which main food category/macromolecule group? Carbohydrate
9. Why did you classify Food Label A in that group? Use Quantitative evidence to support your answer!
It has 40 grams of carbohydrates and much less fats (6 grams) and less protein (9 g).
10. Food label B should be placed in which main food category/macromolecule group? __Protein______
11. Why did you classify Food Label B in that group? Use Quantitative evidence to support your answer!
_______It has the most protein (22g) and less carbohydrates (0g), and fats (10g)
12. Food label C should be placed in which main food category/macromolecule group? ___lipids____
13. Why did you classify Food Label C in that group? Use Quantitative evidence to support your answer!
____It has the most fats (23g), and les carbohydrates (1 g) and protein (14 g)____________
14. Which Food Label above would help you get the molecules necessary for long-term energy storage?
Explain your answer.
_Food Label C because it has the most fat which is used for long term energy storage
15. Which Food Label above would help you get the molecules necessary to prepare one week in advance
for a long-distance swim, or perhaps, a triathlon? Explain your answer.
__Food Label A because it is made of a lot of carbohydrates which are good for “quick” energy
16. A bodybuilder would choose Food Label B over the other two choices to help build muscle
Digestion and Digestive System
17. What is the difference between chemical and mechanical digestion?
Chemical digestion used chemicals like acids and enzymes to help break down food, where
mechanical uses physical movement like chewing or stomach contractions to digest food.
18. An example of chemical digestion would be…..
The enzyme amylase which is in our saliva to break down starch into simple sugars or
monosaccharides.
19. An example of mechanical digestion would be…..
Chewing your food or the muscular churning of food in the stomach
20. Give 2 examples of an organ of the digestive system carry out both chemical & mechanical digestion?
Mouth and stomach do both types of digestion
21. Where in the body do starches first start to break down? mouth
22. What enzyme helps breaks down sugars and starches first? amylase
23. In which digestive organ does the majority of nutrient absorption take place? Small intestine
24. In which digestive organ does the majority of water absorption take place? Large intestine
25. The liver produces bile which helps with the breakdown of fats
26. What two types of compounds are found in the stomach to help it accomplish chemical digestion?
Acids and Enzymes
27. Label the diagram to the right.
mouth
Salivary Glands
Esophagus
liver
Stomach
Which organ stores bile?
Gall Bladder
Pancreas
Gall Bladder
Large intestine
Small intestine
Acids, Bases, and pH
28. Draw the pH scale below. Label it with numbers 1, 7, and 14. Also include the titles: acidic, basic and
neutral. You may use brackets to show the ranges.
1 X
7
14
Acidic
Basic
_____________________________________________
*
neutral
29. Place an X on the pH scale in the area there would be a strong acid, and place a star on the pH scale in
the area where a strong base would be found.
30. Something having a pH of 7.3 would be classified as a(n) Weak Base.
31. Something having a pH of 5.0 would be classified as a(n) Weak Acid
32. What are some examples of acidic foods or drinks?
Vinegar, soda pop, citrus fruits
33. What are some examples of basic foods or drinks?
Broccoli, walnuts
34. An example of a substance with neutral pH would be water.
35. How is blood pH related to human homeostasis?
It is maintained between 7.35-7.45 (maintains a stable internal environment)
36. How is pH related to environmental issues?
Acid rain can damage statues, monuments, forests, animals, aquatic life (i.e. dead lakes)
37. How can pH affect the animals around the world?
If a fish is exposed to an environment with conditions that are too basic or acidic it can become
sick and/or lead to death.
The pH of soil can be affected which can affect plant growth which ultimately limits the food
source for various animals that are dependent on those plants.
38. What affect can pH have on plants?
 The pH of soil is important and can affect plant growth by decomposing organic matter and
bacteria in the ground.
 Some flowers change color based on pH
Enzyme Structure, Function, and Reaction Types
39. A metabolic reaction that builds up larger molecules from linking smaller molecules together while
creating water would be called dehydration synthesis (condensation)
40. A metabolic reaction where a larger molecule is broken down into smaller molecules by an enzyme or
acid while using water would be called hydrolysis
41. Which class of proteins is responsible for speeding up chemical reactions that would otherwise be to
slow to occur on their own? Enzymes
42. What is the general function of enzymes?
To speed up a chemical reaction such as speeding up digestion and metabolism by building
molecules or breaking them apart.
43. Draw a simple condensation or dehydration synthesis reaction below.
44. Draw a simple hydrolysis reaction below.
45. When the body takes in extra sugars it chains them together for storage and later use, what type of
reaction is this? Condensation (dehydration synthesis)
46. A bear before it hibernates will need lots of reserve fat. What reaction type would be occurring in high
amounts prior to them going to sleep? Condensation (dehydration synthesis)
47. A person losing weight would be focused on causing which reaction type? hydrolysis
48. Are enzyme’s recyclable? YES!
49. What would be the monomer of an enzyme? An amino acid
50. Draw an enzyme, substrate and active site and label the parts.
i.e. lactose
i.e. lactase
51. Explain the relationship between an enzyme and its substrate. What analogy did we mention in class
that helped us understand this relationship?
It is like a “lock and key” Each enzyme has a very specific substrate therefore the shapes have to
match perfectly.
52. What is denaturation? What happens to the enzyme’s active site?
Denaturation is when enzymes are damaged and its active site changes shape therefore the
substrate can no longer fit in to that specific shape and the protein can longer function properly.
53. What things could cause an enzyme to become denatured?
Heat, acids and bases
54. What do you think would happen to you if the enzyme that controlled skin cell growth became
denatured?
If the enzyme never turned on growth in the first place, you would never replace skin and could
not repair damage. If the enzyme that controlled shutting off skin growth were denatured, then
the skin cells could keep growing and cause a tumor.