Honors Biochemistry Unit Review 2024

Front

What is an amino acid?

Back

Amino acids are organic compounds that serve as the building blocks of proteins. They contain an amino group, a carboxyl group, and a unique side chain (R group).

Front

What are carbohydrates made of?

Back

Carbohydrates are organic molecules made of carbon (C), hydrogen (H), and oxygen (O) in a ratio of 1:2:1.

Front

What is a polymer?

Back

A polymer is a large molecule composed of repeating structural units (monomers) connected by covalent bonds. Examples include proteins (polypeptides) and nucleic acids.

Front

What is the optimal temperature for enzyme activity?

Back

The optimal temperature is the temperature at which an enzyme functions most efficiently. For many enzymes, this is around 30°C.

Front

What is a fatty acid?

Back

Fatty acids are long hydrocarbon chains that are key building blocks of lipids. They can be saturated (no double bonds) or unsaturated (one or more double bonds).

Front

What is a nucleotide?

Back

Nucleotides are the basic building blocks of nucleic acids (DNA and RNA). Each nucleotide consists of a sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base.

Front

What is a monosaccharide?

Back

Monosaccharides are the simplest form of carbohydrates, consisting of single sugar molecules like glucose and fructose.

Front

What is the role of enzymes in biochemical reactions?

Back

Enzymes are biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions by lowering the activation energy required for the reaction to occur.

Front

What is the structure of a triglyceride?

Back

A triglyceride is composed of one glycerol molecule and three fatty acid chains. It is a type of lipid used for energy storage.

Front

What is the difference between saturated and unsaturated fats?

Back

Saturated fats have no double bonds between carbon atoms, while unsaturated fats contain one or more double bonds, making them liquid at room temperature.