Chemical Components of A Cell

1.
Describe the distinguishing characteristics of carbohydrates

A carbohydrate is a simple sugar. Its basic structure is composed of the
elements carbon, hydrogen and oxygen, with generally twice the hydrogen
as carbon and oxygen. In its simplest form, a carbohydrate is a chain of
sugar molecules called monosaccharides
2. Describe the important biological functions of polysaccharides.

Energy storage or structural support
3. Explain what distinguishes lipids from other classes of biological

macromolecules.
The number one thing that makes lipids different than other macro-molecules
is that lipids do not consist of monomers, so they are not polymers. Another
thing that makes lipids different is that they are hydrophobic, they do not like
water. If you look at oil in water, they separate. Lipids tend to be mostly
hydrocarbons.
4. Describe the unique properties, building blocks and biological roles of

fats, phospholipids and steroids.
Fats: A fatty acid consists of a long HYDROCARBON chain with a carboxyl

group at one end. The non-polar hydrocarbons make a fat hydrophobic.
(Saturated vs. Unsaturated)
Phospholipids: Consist of a glycerol linked to two fatty acids and a

negatively charged phosphate group, to which other small molecules are
attached. Head is hydrophilic and tail (two fatty acid chains) is hydrophobic.
Steroids: Class of lipids distinguished by four connected carbon rings with

various functional groups attached. Cholesterol used to maintain fluidity in
skin cells.
5. Distinguish proteins from the other classes of macromolecules

Proteins make up over 50% of dry mass of most cells, important in every
aspect of an organism. Serve for structural support, storage, transport,
cellular communications, movement, and defense against foreign
substances.
6. List the biological functions which proteins perform

Enzymes, Nutrient/Storage Proteins, Transportation of Proteins
7. Explain what determines protein conformation and why it is important

Protein conformation is determined by the proteins ability to recognize and
bond with another molecule. However, the function of a protein also helps
in the specific conformation of a protein as well
8. Define denaturation and explain how proteins may be denatured

Denaturation refers to a process where a macromolecule, such as a nuclei
acid or a protein, is altered structurally due to exposure to extreme physical
conditions. Denaturation occurs when a protein becomes biologically
inactive due to changes in pH, salt concentration, temperature, and other
environmental factors
9. Describe the characteristics that distinguish nucleic acids from the other
classes of macromolecules
Nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) store information relating to amino acid
sequences of other proteins. Made of nucleotides, which consist of a
nitrogenous base, a pentose sugar, and a phosphate group.
10. Summarize the functions of nucleic acids. What is more important DNA
or Protein?
Nucleic acids contain information for all other cell functions and for their
own replication.
11. Briefly describe the three-dimensional structure of DNA

DNA forms a double helix between 2 strands of a sugar-phosphate
backbone and attracted Nitrogenous bases. In DNA, T and A, and G and C
are attracted to each other. While in RNA, T is replaced by U.
12.Evaluate the importance of energy to living things

Cells cannot survive on their own. They need power to stay alive. They
need energy to perform functions such as growth, maintaining balance,
repair, reproduction, movement and defense. This means all living
organisms must obtain and use energy to live.
13.Relate energy and chemical reactions

Chemical reactions often involve changes in energy due to the breaking
and formation of bonds. Reactions in which energy is released are
exothermic reactions, while those that take in heat energy are endothermic.
14.Describe the role of enzymes in chemical reactions

A fundamental task of proteins is to act as enzymes—catalysts that
increase the rate of virtually all the chemical reactions within cells. Although
RNAs are capable of catalyzing some reactions, most biological reactions
are catalyzed by proteins.
15.Identify the effect of enzymes on food molecules

Food contains large molecules that have to be broken down into their units
and this is the work of digestive enzymes.

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1.

Describe the distinguishing characteristics of carbohydrates

2. Describe the important biological functions of polysaccharides.

3. Explain what distinguishes lipids from other classes of biological

4. Describe the unique properties, building blocks and biological roles of

Fats: A fatty acid consists of a long HYDROCARBON chain with a carboxyl

Phospholipids: Consist of a glycerol linked to two fatty acids and a

Steroids: Class of lipids distinguished by four connected carbon rings with

5. Distinguish proteins from the other classes of macromolecules

6. List the biological functions which proteins perform

7. Explain what determines protein conformation and why it is important

8. Define denaturation and explain how proteins may be denatured

11. Briefly describe the three-dimensional structure of DNA

12.Evaluate the importance of energy to living things

13.Relate energy and chemical reactions

14.Describe the role of enzymes in chemical reactions

15.Identify the effect of enzymes on food molecules

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