Study questions
The following
questions are intended as a guide to help you focus your studying. You
must, however, do more than memorize the answers to each of these questions.
You need to understand the material and be able to discuss the concepts
in your own words. Use active study techniques as much as possible (i.e.,
you must do more than just read over your answers many times). I also recommend
that you take advantage of the learning resources at the end of each chapter
in the textbook, including the associated exercises on the textbook website
(www.essentialbiology.com).
back to Study Aids
Chapter
3: The Molecules of Life
1. Be able to recognize and interpret structural diagrams of organic molecules.
2. Be able to list, recognize, and give examples of the different functional
groups attached to organic molecules.
3. Know the
following terms: monomer, polymer, dehydration reaction, hydrolysis. Explain
how dehydration synthesis and hydrolysis work to build up and break down
polymers.
4. Know the following about each of the important macromolecules (i.e.,
carbohydrates, proteins, nucleic acids and lipids):
a) What are the component monomers of each macromolecule? How are they
linked together?
b) Be able to recognize structural diagrams of the macromolecules and their
monomers.
c) What are the major functions of each macromolecule?
5. Carbohydrates: define monosaccharide, disaccharide, polysaccharide,
and give examples of each.
6. Lipids: what are the functions of triglycerides, phospholipids, and steroids? What are the differences
between saturated and unsaturated fats?
7. What are the major classes of protein function? Be able to give examples
of each.
8. Explain the four levels of protein structure.
9. Nucleic acids: What are the components of nucleotides? How are nucleotides
linked together to form nucleic acids? How do the nitrogenous bases pair
up? Describe the structure of the DNA double helix.
