OD 515 Lecture 2 Questions Exam 1 with complete
solutions.
What is the role of carbon in living organisms?
Central to the chemistry of living organisms, making up more than half of the dry weight of
cells.
How many single bonds can a carbon atom form?
Four covalent single bonds.
What types of structures can covalently linked carbon atoms form?
Linear chains, branched chains, and cyclic structures.
What is the angle between bonds in a tetrahedral structure of carbon?
About 109.5°.
What are functional groups?
Specific groups of atoms that confer unique chemical properties to molecules.
How do hydrocarbons relate to biomolecules?
Most biomolecules are derivatives of hydrocarbons, where hydrogen atoms are replaced by
various functional groups.
What are some examples of biomolecule families based on functional groups?
Alcohols, amines, aldehydes, ketones, and carboxylic acids.
What is the collection of small organic molecules in cells called?
, The metabolome.
What role do membrane transporters play in cell metabolism?
They facilitate the movement of specific molecules into and out of the cell or between
compartments.
What are central (primary) metabolites?
Common amino acids, nucleotides, sugars, and various carboxylic acids that support basic life
processes.
Why are metabolites compartmentalized within cells?
To regulate their movement and maintain cellular functions.
What is the importance of the plasma membrane in metabolite movement?
It is impermeable to many metabolites, controlling their movement.
What does the universal presence of metabolites indicate?
It reflects the evolutionary conservation of metabolic pathways.
What is the chemical 'personality' of a compound?
Defined by the arrangement of functional groups influencing its chemical characteristics.
How do functional groups influence biomolecules?
They primarily influence the reactivity and chemical properties of the biomolecule.
What is metabolomics?
The systematic characterization of the metabolome under specific conditions.
solutions.
What is the role of carbon in living organisms?
Central to the chemistry of living organisms, making up more than half of the dry weight of
cells.
How many single bonds can a carbon atom form?
Four covalent single bonds.
What types of structures can covalently linked carbon atoms form?
Linear chains, branched chains, and cyclic structures.
What is the angle between bonds in a tetrahedral structure of carbon?
About 109.5°.
What are functional groups?
Specific groups of atoms that confer unique chemical properties to molecules.
How do hydrocarbons relate to biomolecules?
Most biomolecules are derivatives of hydrocarbons, where hydrogen atoms are replaced by
various functional groups.
What are some examples of biomolecule families based on functional groups?
Alcohols, amines, aldehydes, ketones, and carboxylic acids.
What is the collection of small organic molecules in cells called?
, The metabolome.
What role do membrane transporters play in cell metabolism?
They facilitate the movement of specific molecules into and out of the cell or between
compartments.
What are central (primary) metabolites?
Common amino acids, nucleotides, sugars, and various carboxylic acids that support basic life
processes.
Why are metabolites compartmentalized within cells?
To regulate their movement and maintain cellular functions.
What is the importance of the plasma membrane in metabolite movement?
It is impermeable to many metabolites, controlling their movement.
What does the universal presence of metabolites indicate?
It reflects the evolutionary conservation of metabolic pathways.
What is the chemical 'personality' of a compound?
Defined by the arrangement of functional groups influencing its chemical characteristics.
How do functional groups influence biomolecules?
They primarily influence the reactivity and chemical properties of the biomolecule.
What is metabolomics?
The systematic characterization of the metabolome under specific conditions.
