Exploring Organic Molecules in Cells

What are the four classes of organic molecules found in cells?

• Carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids

• Sugars, fats, enzymes, and DNA

• Vitamins, minerals, proteins, and lipids

• Water, salts, acids, and bases

Which element is central to the chemistry of organic molecules?

• Hydrogen

• Oxygen

• Carbon

• Nitrogen

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Explain how variations in carbon skeletons contribute to the diversity of organic molecules.

• They allow for different bonding angles.

• They enable the formation of isomers.

• They provide different functional groups.

• They change the molecular weight.

What role do functional groups play in organic molecules?

• They determine the molecule's color.

• They influence the molecule's chemical reactivity.

• They increase the molecule's size.

• They stabilize the molecule's structure.

Describe the process by which large organic polymers are formed.

• By the addition of water molecules

• By the removal of functional groups

• By the joining of specific monomers

• By the breakdown of smaller molecules

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Identify the type of reaction that typically forms polymers from monomers.

• Hydrolysis

• Dehydration synthesis

• Combustion

• Oxidation

How does the structure of a carbohydrate differ from that of a lipid?

• Carbohydrates have a ring structure, while lipids have a chain structure.

• Carbohydrates contain nitrogen, while lipids do not.

• Carbohydrates are hydrophobic, while lipids are hydrophilic.

• Carbohydrates are made of amino acids, while lipids are made of nucleotides.

Predict how a change in the carbon skeleton of a molecule might affect its function.

• It will have no effect on the molecule's function.

• It could alter the molecule's reactivity and interactions.

• It will only change the molecule's color.

• It will make the molecule more stable.

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Which of the following is a characteristic of nucleic acids?

• They are composed of amino acids.

• They store and transmit genetic information.

• They are primarily used for energy storage.

• They form the main component of cell membranes.

Evaluate the impact of functional group modifications on the properties of an organic molecule.

• They have no impact on the molecule's properties.

• They can significantly alter the molecule's solubility and reactivity.

• They only affect the molecule's melting point.

• They make the molecule more rigid.