Biomolecules Review

The primary function of carbohydrates in living organisms is (a)   .

• Storing genetic information
• Providing short-term energy
• Catalyzing chemical reactions
• Forming cell membranes

Answer explanation

Carbohydrates primarily provide energy to living organisms. They are broken down into glucose, which is used in cellular respiration to produce ATP, the energy currency of cells.

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(a)   is the biomolecule primarily responsible for storing and transmitting genetic information.

• Lipids
• Proteins
• Nucleic acid
• Carbohydrates

Answer explanation

Nucleic acids, such as DNA and RNA, are the biomolecules that store and transmit genetic information, making them essential for heredity and cellular function. Lipids, proteins, and carbohydrates serve different roles.

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Lipids are important in organisms because they:

• Speed up chemical reactions

• Store long-term energy and form cell membranes

• Carry genetic information

• Provide immediate energy

Answer explanation

Lipids are crucial for storing energy and forming cell membranes, which are essential for maintaining the structure and function of cells. They do not speed up reactions, carry genetic information, or provide immediate energy.

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Which element is found in all organic biomolecules?

• Calcium

• Carbon

• Iron

• Sodium

Answer explanation

Carbon is the fundamental element found in all organic biomolecules, forming the backbone of structures like carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. Other elements like calcium, iron, and sodium are not universally present in all organic compounds.

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Which of the following best describes the role of enzymes in the body?

• They provide structural support

• They speed up chemical reactions

• They store genetic information

• They transport oxygen

Answer explanation

Enzymes are biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions in the body, making processes like digestion and metabolism more efficient. They do not provide structural support, store genetic information, or transport oxygen.

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Which of the following is an example of a polysaccharide?

• Glucose

• Starch

• Glycerol

• Adenine

Answer explanation

Starch is a polysaccharide made up of many glucose units, serving as an energy storage molecule in plants. In contrast, glucose is a monosaccharide, glycerol is a component of lipids, and adenine is a nucleotide.

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The process that breaks down large biomolecules into smaller units using water is called (a)   .

• Dehydration synthesis
• Hydrolysis
• Photosynthesis
• Respiration

Answer explanation

Hydrolysis is the process that breaks down large biomolecules into smaller units by adding water, effectively cleaving chemical bonds. This is the opposite of dehydration synthesis, which builds larger molecules.

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How do proteins differ from carbohydrates in their structure and function?

• Proteins are made of nucleotides, carbohydrates are made of amino acids

• Proteins are made of amino acids and perform many functions, while carbohydrates are made of sugars and mainly provide energy

• Proteins store genetic information, carbohydrates form cell membranes

• Proteins are hydrophobic, carbohydrates are hydrophilic

Answer explanation

Proteins are composed of amino acids and serve various functions in the body, such as catalyzing reactions and providing structure. In contrast, carbohydrates are made of sugars and primarily function as an energy source.

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Why are nucleic acids essential for the survival of living organisms?

• They provide energy for cellular processes

• They store and transmit genetic information

• They form the main structure of cell membranes

• They speed up chemical reactions

Answer explanation

Nucleic acids, such as DNA and RNA, are crucial because they store and transmit genetic information, which is essential for the growth, development, and reproduction of living organisms.

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Which of the following best describes the relationship between monomers and polymers in biomolecules?

• Monomers are large molecules made of repeating polymers

• Polymers are made by joining together many monomers

• Monomers and polymers are unrelated

• Polymers are always smaller than monomers

Answer explanation

Polymers are large molecules formed by the chemical bonding of many smaller units called monomers. This relationship is fundamental in biomolecules, where monomers like amino acids or nucleotides combine to form proteins and nucleic acids.

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