Organic Chemistry

Front

What is the general structure of an amino acid?

Back

An amino acid consists of a central carbon atom, an amino group (-NH2), a carboxyl group (-COOH), a hydrogen atom, and a variable R group (side chain) that determines the specific properties of the amino acid.

Front

What does the prefix 'poly-' mean in chemistry?

Back

The prefix 'poly-' means 'many' and is used to describe polymers, which are large molecules made up of repeating subunits.

Front

What are the building blocks of DNA?

Back

The building blocks of DNA are nucleotides, which consist of a phosphate group, a sugar (deoxyribose), and a nitrogenous base (adenine, thymine, cytosine, or guanine).

Front

What are proteins made of?

Back

Proteins are polymers formed from amino acids linked together by peptide bonds.

Front

Define cohesion in the context of water molecules.

Back

Cohesion is the attraction between water molecules due to hydrogen bonding, which causes water to form drops and gives it surface tension.

Front

What is a polymer?

Back

A polymer is a large molecule composed of repeating structural units (monomers) connected by covalent chemical bonds.

Front

What role do amino acids play in biological systems?

Back

Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, which perform a variety of functions in biological systems, including catalyzing reactions, providing structure, and regulating processes.

Front

What is the difference between DNA and RNA?

Back

DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) is double-stranded and contains the sugar deoxyribose, while RNA (ribonucleic acid) is single-stranded and contains the sugar ribose.

Front

What is the significance of the R group in amino acids?

Back

The R group, or side chain, of an amino acid determines its unique properties and characteristics, influencing the structure and function of the resulting protein.

Front

What type of bond connects nucleotides in a DNA strand?

Back

Nucleotides in a DNA strand are connected by phosphodiester bonds, which link the phosphate group of one nucleotide to the sugar of the next.