Biochemistry

Biochemistry Reading Guide Jacob Bruhn
 * 1) What is the difference between organic and inorganic compounds? Organic compounds always have carbon and hydrogen.
 * 2) Explain the structure of the carbon atom. What is it about this structure that makes it so versatile. Find a picture of its atomic structure. The carbon atom has 6 neutrons and 6 protons in its nucleus. It has six electrons in the outer energy level.
 * 3) Insert pictures of carbon chains, rings and branches, carbon atoms with single bonds, double bonds and triple bonds. Bonus points if you can find a carbon compounds with quadruple bonds!


 * 1) What are function groups? Why are they important? Find two examples and insert the pictures. Function groups are specific groups of atoms in molecules that respond to chemical reactions.


 * 1) Distinguish between monomers and polymers. Find pictures of each. Polymer is a bunch of monomers. A monomer is an atom that combines chemically.


 * 1) Explain the process (chemical reaction) of joining monomers together. Find a picture. When monomers join together, they form polymers. Monomers form polymers through condensation reaction.


 * 1) Explain the process (chemical reaction) of breaking polymers down. Find a picture. Polymers can break down into monomers by splitting back into their original form. When this happens water is formed.


 * 1) Explain the importance of ATP to living systems. Of course, find a picture. ATP is a high-energy molecule that stores energy.


 * 1) Describe the structure and function of carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are made up of Carbon, Hydrogen, and Oxygen. They store energy for your body.
 * 2) What are the differences between mono- and disaccharides? List examples of each, with their pictures. Monosaccharides have one monomer. Example:) glucose, fructose Disaccharides have two monomers. Example:) Sucrose


 * 1) Describe the polysaccharides made by plants and give the functions of each. Starches store energy for the plant. Cellulose forms the structure of the cell wall.
 * 2) Describe the polysaccharides made by animals and give the functions of each. Glycogen is also used to store energy.
 * 3) Describe the structure and basic function of proteins. What are the monomers for proteins? The monomers for proteins are amino acids. Proteins build muscle. Structure: C,O,H,N.
 * 4) Find a basic picture for amino acids. How many different amino acids are there? There are 20 different amino acids.
 * 5) What bonds are used to hold amino acids together? Peptide Bonds.
 * 6) What is an enzyme? What are catalysts? Enzymes are proteins that speed up chemical reactions. Catalysts speed up chemical reactions.
 * 7) Describe the interaction between substrate and enzyme. Find a picture. This is often called the “lock –and-key” model. Enzymes fit into substrates very tightly. They bind together.
 * 1) Describe the interaction between substrate and enzyme. Find a picture. This is often called the “lock –and-key” model. Enzymes fit into substrates very tightly. They bind together.


 * 1) Describe the properties of lipids. How are they different from other macromolecules? Lipids are fats and they store energy. They do not have monomers.
 * 2) List examples of lipids from your book and find pictures. Examples are oils, fats, and waxes.


 * 1) Compare and contrast saturated and unsaturated fats. Find pictures of each. Saturated fats are solid and come from animals. They can clog your arteries. Unsaturated fats come from plants and fish. They are liquid at room temperature.


 * 1) Find a picture of a phospholipid. What is its function in biological systems? Phospholipids form the cell membrane.


 * 1) Why are waxes important biological chemicals? Waxes store energy.
 * 2) Find a picture of a steroid. How many rings does it have? Steroids have 4 fused rings.


 * 1) What is the function of steroids for living systems? Steroids build muscle.
 * 2) What are two examples of Nucleic acids? Find pictures of each. Examples: DNA and RNA.


 * 1) What are the monomers of NAs? Find a picture. What elements are found in Nas? The monomers of Nas are nucleotides. C,H,O,N, and others are found in Nas.


 * 1) What is the function of DNA? Carries genetic information.
 * 2) What is the function of RNA? Store and transfer genetic material.
 * 3) Answer critical thinking questions: 8,9 and 10 on pg 60

8. Carbohydrates provide energy. This would help their performance by providing energy the whole race.

9. The heat weakens the protein bonds in the hair and allows it to curl.

10. Foods you would eat: fish and vegetables. Foods you would not eat: meat.

Biochemistry Collaboration

1. What is the difference between organic and inorganic compounds? Serena Answer- organic compounds are covalently bonded compound that contains carbon, not including any carbonates or oxides. Most matter that is in organisms and is not water is made of organic compounds. Inorganic compounds are do not contain carbon atoms.

2. Explain the structure of the carbon atom. What is it about this structure that makes it so versatile. Find a picture of its atomic structure. Naajee

3. Insert pictures of carbon chains, rings and branches, carbon atoms with single bonds, double bonds and triple bonds. James

4. What are functional groups? Why are they important? Find two examples and insert the pictures. Zach K. It is a portion of a molecule that is active in a chemical reaction and that determines the properties of many organic compounds. They are important because they are in living things. One example is Hydroxyl. Another example is Carboxyl. Hydroxyl can make molecules polar. Compound one is Hydroxyl. Compound two is Carboxyl.

5. Distinguish between monomers and polymers. Find pictures of each. Ciera 6. Explain the process (chemical reaction) of joining monomers together. Find a picture. Hunter Monomers link together to form polymers by condensation reaction. 7. Explain the process (chemical reaction) of breaking polymers down. Find a picture. Drew
 * a monomer is a small molecule
 * a polymer is a long chain molecule made up of a repeating pattern of monomers

8. Explain the importance of ATP to living systems. Of course, find a picture. Henry
 * ATP provides cells with energy whenever they need it by releasing aphosphate through hydrolysis

9. Describe the structure and function of carbohydrates. Courtney > - Examples: Glucose, fructose, and lactose > - Example: Sucrose Monosacchrides Disaccharids 10. What are the differences between mono- and disaccharides? List examples of each, with their pictures. Zach Z. The monosaccharides are just a single carbon ring. The monosaccharides include glucose, fructose, and galactose. The disaccharides are two carbon rings bonded together by a glycosidic linkage in a condensation (dehydration) reaction, which removes a molecule of water. Disaccharides include maltose (glucose + glucose), lactose (glucose + galactose), sucrose (glucose + fructose), and more. 
 * Monosaccharids don't have any polymers, and one monomer
 * Disaccharids have two monomers

11. Describe the polysaccharides made by plants and give the functions of each. Jacob The polysaccharide made by plants is cellulose and starch. Starch stores energy and cellulose builds the membrane.

12. Describe the polysaccharides made by animals and give the functions of each. Sky Answer-Proteins and carbohydrates are found in animals. Proteins make up muscle structure. Carbohydrates give energy.

13. Describe the structure and basic function of proteins. What are the monomers for proteins? Ivy The structure of protein is made of Carbon, Oxygen, Hydrogen, and Nitrogen. The monomers are Amino Acids.

14. Find a basic picture for amino acids. How many different amino acids are there? Maria 15. What bonds are used to hold amino acids together? Laura -Each amino acid contains a central carbon atom covalently bonded to four other atoms or functional groups.

16. What is an enzyme? What are catalysts? MaKayla An enzyme is a protein that catalyzes a reaction and speeds it up. A catalyst is a substance that increases the reaction rate of a chemical reaction.

17. Describe the interaction between substrate and enzyme. Find a picture. This is often called the “lock –and-key” model. Razah. The interaction between a substrate and enzyme is when the substrate binds to the part of the enzyme's active site. The active site is shaped in a certain way to fit with its substrate.

18. Describe the properties of lipids. How are they different from other macromolecules? Abhi
 * A lipid is big, nonpolar organic molecule that doesn’t dissolve in water. They are made up of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen (C, H, O). They have more carbon and hydrogen atoms than oxygen atoms, so they are not found in a 1:2:1 ratio.
 * Lipids are the only macromolecules that do not form polymers. Also, they are the most diverse of the macromolecules in structure and in function. The high number of carbon-hydrogen bonds allows lipids to store more energy than the other macromolecules.

19. List examples of lipids from your book and find pictures. Milo Some examples of lipids are triglycerides, phospholipids, steroids, waxes, and pigments. 20. Compare and contrast saturated and unsaturated fats. Find pictures of each. Rachel

Answer- Unsaturated fats are healthier to your body than saturated fats. Most unsaturated fats, such as avocados and nuts, can be beneficial to your health. On the other hand, a saturated fat can do a lot to effect your cholesterol levels and your heart in a negative way. Ingesting unhealthy foods such as chips, dairy, and processed meat are examples of food items that can affect your cholesterol level. An unsaturated fat forms a double bond which causes a change in their shapes. This can make them stick to the walls of arteries and cause major heart problems.

21. Find a picture of a phospholipid. What is its function in biological systems? Hannaha T.

22. Why are waxes important biological chemicals? Kaci

Waxes are found in nature as coatings on leaves and stems. The wax prevents the plant from losing excess amounts of water. The wax protects the leaves and fruits from small predators as well. Feathers of birds and the fur of some animals have coatings of wax which acts as a water repellent. They are also used as energy-storage substances in plankton. Waxes are widely distributed in nature. They are found on plant leaves and fruits, but also on animals, algae, fungi and bacteria.

23. Find a picture of a steroid. How many rings does it have? Hannah W. Four

24. What is the function of steroids for living systems? Jack

Steroids are used many for energy in living systems. The most familiar steroid in the human body is cholesterol. It is used by the body for nerve and other cells to function normally. It is also a part of the cell membrane.

25. What are two examples of Nucleic acids? Find pictures of each. James Two examples of Nucleic acids are Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and Ribnucleic acid (RNA). DNA contains information that determines characteristics in an organism and directs cell activities. RNA transfers information from DNA in order to make protein.

26. What are the monomers of NAs? Find a picture. What elements are found in NAs? Milo The monomers of NA's are nucleotide. Nucleotides are made of a phosphate group, a five-carbon sugar, and a nitrogenous base. .

27. What is the function of DNA? Maria Deoxyribonucleic acid is a nucleic acid that contains the genetic instructions used in the development and functioning of all known living organisms.

28. What is the function of RNA? Laura -Ribonucleic acid, or RNA, stores and transfers information from DNA that is essential for the manufacturing of proteins. Some RNA molecules can also act as enzymes.