The Chemical Basis of Life

All living organisms contain carbon atoms.  Which of the following is an important characteristic of carbon?

• Carbon atoms can bond with many other kinds of atoms to form very stable molecules.

• Carbon atoms can bond with any other atom, but they cannot form bonds with other carbon atoms.

• Carbon atoms are very stable and do not easily form bonds with other atoms.

• Carbon atoms are highly reactive and form unstable bonds with any available atom.

Made of monomers of nucleotides

• Carbohydrates

• Lipids

• Proteins

• Nucleic Acids

What are the 4 most abundant elements found in organisms?

• carbon, helium, oxygen, silicon

• carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, silicon

• calcium, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen

• carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen

It is used in building the proteins which the cell needs.

• DNA

• Nucleotide

• Guanine

• RNA

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Its structure is similar of fat molecules with replacing the 3rd fatty acid in fats by a phosphate and choline groups.

• Oils and fats

• Cholesterol

• Phospholipids

• hormones

Which of the following describes the role that enzymes play in the process of metabolism?

• Enzymes provide the chemical energy that is broken down and released during metabolism.

• Enzymes increase the rate of the chemical reactions carried out during metabolism.

• Enzymes store the chemical energy that is used to construct nucleic acids during metabolism.

• Enzymes carry the genetic instructions required for a cell to initiate metabolism.

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Nucleic acids are one of the four major macromolecules.  The main functions of nucleic acids are to

• store and transport energy and structural components in the cell.

• act as enzymes, cell signals, and structural support for the cell.

• carry genetic material and create structures inside the cell.

• aid in development, the immune system, and blood clotting.

Protein molecules are composed of long chains of __________ .

• ribosomes

• RNA

• amino acids

• DNA

Organic macromolecules called __________ are insoluble in water, are often found in biological membranes and other waterproof coverings, and have the ability to store energy for extended periods of time.

• carbohydrates

• lipids

• proteins

• nucleic acids

Examine the diagram of the enzyme:
How does the structure of this enzyme help with its function?

• The enzyme's shape complements the substrate's shape, so it only catalyzes specific reactions.

• The enzyme's active site is amorphous and can change its shape to fit any substrate.

• Since the enzyme's shape matches the substrate's shape, it catalyzes only reverse reactions.

• Since the enzyme is larger than the substrate, catalytic reactions can occur within the enzyme itself.