Exam 2 Study Guide

What are living things made of?

Answer explanation

Living things are primarily made up of cells. Cells are the basic building blocks of life, which come together to form tissues, organs, and ultimately, organisms. This is a fundamental concept in biology. Therefore, the answer to the question 'What are living things made of?' is 'Cells'.

What is the smallest unit of an element?

Answer explanation

The smallest unit of an element is an atom. Atoms are the basic building blocks of matter and define the properties of an element. They consist of protons, neutrons, and electrons, which determine the element's chemical behavior and characteristics.

What are the four types of macromolecules?

Answer explanation

The four types of macromolecules are carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids. These are large, complex molecules that play critical roles in the body. Carbohydrates provide energy, lipids store energy and make up cell membranes, proteins perform a variety of functions including acting as enzymes, and nucleic acids store and transmit genetic information.

What purpose do carbohydrates serve in the body?

Answer explanation

Carbohydrates serve as the primary source of energy for the body. They are broken down into glucose, which is used by cells for various functions, including fueling physical activity and maintaining brain function. Additionally, carbohydrates play a role in the structure and function of cells, tissues, and organs.

What differentiates a monosaccharide from a disaccharide and a polysaccharide?

Answer explanation

Monosaccharides, disaccharides, and polysaccharides are differentiated by the number of sugar units they contain. Monosaccharides have one sugar unit, disaccharides have two, and polysaccharides have many. The number of sugar units affects their structure, function, and how they are digested in the body.

What are the three major groups of lipids and what is an example of how each is used in the body?

Answer explanation

The three major groups of lipids are triglycerides, phospholipids, and sterols. Triglycerides are used for energy storage and insulation. Phospholipids form the cell membrane, providing a barrier and enabling cellular function. Sterols, like cholesterol, are used to make hormones and vitamin D, and also play a role in digestion by helping to produce bile.

What are three functions proteins serve?

Answer explanation

Proteins serve several functions in the body. Three of these functions include: 1. Structural support: Proteins like collagen help provide structure to our body's tissues. 2. Enzymes: Proteins speed up chemical reactions in the body. 3. Transport: Proteins like hemoglobin carry substances within the blood. These are just a few examples of the many roles proteins play in our bodies.

What functions do nucleic acids serve?

Answer explanation

Nucleic acids serve vital functions in cells, primarily as the carriers of genetic information. They are composed of nucleotides and come in two forms: DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) and RNA (ribonucleic acid). DNA stores genetic information, while RNA is involved in protein synthesis and gene regulation. Additionally, some RNA molecules have catalytic functions, such as ribozymes.

What is a hydrogen bond?

Answer explanation

A hydrogen bond is a type of attractive interaction between a hydrogen atom and an electronegative atom, such as oxygen, nitrogen, or fluorine. It occurs when a hydrogen atom is covalently bonded to an electronegative atom and is also attracted to another electronegative atom. This creates a partial positive charge on the hydrogen atom and a partial negative charge on the electronegative atoms, resulting in a weak electrostatic attraction known as a hydrogen bond.

Define metabolism.

Answer explanation

Metabolism refers to all the chemical reactions that occur within an organism to maintain life. These processes allow organisms to grow and reproduce, maintain their structures, and respond to their environments. It's divided into two categories: catabolism, the breakdown of molecules to obtain energy; and anabolism, the synthesis of all compounds needed by the cells.