BCHM - Biochemistry Final Exam Learning
Objectives | Complete Study Guide | Terms & Certified
Definitions | 100% Correct | Study Guide for Yr.
(2026/2027)
Final Exam Learning Objectives
⇒ Chapter 1 – The Chemical Basis of Life ⇐
Classify animals, plants, protists, fungi, archaea, and bacteria as prokaryotes or eukaryotes and identify
the distinguishing features of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
Prokaryotes → unicellular organisms without a nucleus
● i.e., bacteria and archaea
Eukaryotes → more complex cellular organization with membrane bound organelles that have
specialized functions
● i.e., protists, fungi, plants, and animals
Identify the domains of life that include unicellular or multicellular organisms.
Domains of Life →
● 1) bacteria → unicellular
● 2) archaea → unicellular
● 3) eukarya → unicellular AND extracellular
Recognize/label biologically relevant organic compounds and functional groups and identify the polarity
and geometry of molecules.
Organic Compound Structure
Amine R3N
Alcohol ROH
,Thiol RSH
Ether ROR
Aldehyde
Ketone
Carboxylic Acid (or Carboxylate)
Amide
Imine R==NR
, Phosphoric Acid Ester
Diphosphoric Acid Ester
Recognize and describe the classes of biological monomers and related polymers.
Biological Monomer Biological Polymer
1) Amino Acids (a.a.) Polypeptide
2) Monosaccharides Polysaccharides
3) Nucleotides (nt) Nucleic Acid
4) Lipids NO TRUE POLYMER (forms “aggregates”)
Biological Monomers →
● Amino Acids → contain an amino group, carboxylate group, and a side chain
● Monosaccharides → aka sugar; contain about a 1:1 ratio of carbon to oxygen
, ● Nucleotides → contain a nitrogenous base, sugar, and phosphate group
● Lipids → contain high ratio of carbon to oxygen/nitrogen/phosphorus
Biological Polymers →
● Polypeptides → a polymer of amino acids linked together by peptide bonds (amide linkage)
● Polysaccharides → a polymer (or single) of monosaccharide linked together by glycosidic bond
● Nucleic Acids → a polymer of nucleotides linked together by phosphodiester bonds Define the
terms polypeptide, protein, and residue.
Polypeptide → a polymer of amino acids linked together by peptide bonds (amide linkage)
Protein → a functional unit consisting of one or more polypeptide
Residue → a monomer that has been incorporated into a polymer – monomers are covalently linked
together to form different macromolecules
Describe the major and minor roles of biopolymers.
Biopolymer Encode Store Energy
Carry Out Support
Information
Metabolic Cellular
Reactions Structures
Proteins — MAJOR minor MAJOR
Nucleic Acid MAJOR minor — minor
Monosaccharides minor — MAJOR MAJOR
Distinguish open systems, isolated systems, and closed systems.
Open System → exchange both energy and matter with surroundings
Isolated System → neither exchange energy NOR matter with surroundings
Objectives | Complete Study Guide | Terms & Certified
Definitions | 100% Correct | Study Guide for Yr.
(2026/2027)
Final Exam Learning Objectives
⇒ Chapter 1 – The Chemical Basis of Life ⇐
Classify animals, plants, protists, fungi, archaea, and bacteria as prokaryotes or eukaryotes and identify
the distinguishing features of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
Prokaryotes → unicellular organisms without a nucleus
● i.e., bacteria and archaea
Eukaryotes → more complex cellular organization with membrane bound organelles that have
specialized functions
● i.e., protists, fungi, plants, and animals
Identify the domains of life that include unicellular or multicellular organisms.
Domains of Life →
● 1) bacteria → unicellular
● 2) archaea → unicellular
● 3) eukarya → unicellular AND extracellular
Recognize/label biologically relevant organic compounds and functional groups and identify the polarity
and geometry of molecules.
Organic Compound Structure
Amine R3N
Alcohol ROH
,Thiol RSH
Ether ROR
Aldehyde
Ketone
Carboxylic Acid (or Carboxylate)
Amide
Imine R==NR
, Phosphoric Acid Ester
Diphosphoric Acid Ester
Recognize and describe the classes of biological monomers and related polymers.
Biological Monomer Biological Polymer
1) Amino Acids (a.a.) Polypeptide
2) Monosaccharides Polysaccharides
3) Nucleotides (nt) Nucleic Acid
4) Lipids NO TRUE POLYMER (forms “aggregates”)
Biological Monomers →
● Amino Acids → contain an amino group, carboxylate group, and a side chain
● Monosaccharides → aka sugar; contain about a 1:1 ratio of carbon to oxygen
, ● Nucleotides → contain a nitrogenous base, sugar, and phosphate group
● Lipids → contain high ratio of carbon to oxygen/nitrogen/phosphorus
Biological Polymers →
● Polypeptides → a polymer of amino acids linked together by peptide bonds (amide linkage)
● Polysaccharides → a polymer (or single) of monosaccharide linked together by glycosidic bond
● Nucleic Acids → a polymer of nucleotides linked together by phosphodiester bonds Define the
terms polypeptide, protein, and residue.
Polypeptide → a polymer of amino acids linked together by peptide bonds (amide linkage)
Protein → a functional unit consisting of one or more polypeptide
Residue → a monomer that has been incorporated into a polymer – monomers are covalently linked
together to form different macromolecules
Describe the major and minor roles of biopolymers.
Biopolymer Encode Store Energy
Carry Out Support
Information
Metabolic Cellular
Reactions Structures
Proteins — MAJOR minor MAJOR
Nucleic Acid MAJOR minor — minor
Monosaccharides minor — MAJOR MAJOR
Distinguish open systems, isolated systems, and closed systems.
Open System → exchange both energy and matter with surroundings
Isolated System → neither exchange energy NOR matter with surroundings
