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New YorkBiologyQuick questions
Module 1: Cells, biochemistry and transport
Quick questions on Chemistry of life and biological molecules - NY Regents Life Science: Biology Module 1
6short Q&A pairs drawn directly from our worked dot-point answer. For full context and worked exam questions, read the parent dot-point page.
What are carbohydrates?Show answer
The monomer is a monosaccharide (a simple sugar such as glucose). Two joined make a disaccharide; many joined make a polysaccharide. Carbohydrates store readily available energy (starch in plants, glycogen in animals) and provide structure (cellulose in plant cell walls).
What are lipids?Show answer
Lipids (fats, oils, phospholipids) are not built from a single repeating monomer, but many are assembled from glycerol and fatty acids. They store energy at high density, cushion and insulate, and, as phospholipids, form the cell membrane. Lipids are largely nonpolar, so they do not mix with water.
What are proteins?Show answer
The monomer is the amino acid; there are about 20 kinds. A chain of amino acids (a polypeptide) folds into a specific three-dimensional shape. Proteins are the workhorses of the cell: enzymes that speed reactions, antibodies that defend the body, receptors and transport proteins in membranes, and structural fibers such as collagen.
What are nucleic acids?Show answer
The monomer is the nucleotide (a phosphate, a sugar, and a nitrogenous base). DNA stores the genetic information; RNA helps carry it out. These are covered in detail in DNA structure and replication.
What is q1?Show answer
Identify the monomer (building block) of a protein and of a carbohydrate. [2]
What is q2?Show answer
Explain why water is described as the solvent of life. [2]
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