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Biology 12
Biological Molecules Assignment
Name: __________________
Date: ________ Block: _____
Directions: Answer all questions in complete sentences and make sure your information is
complete and concise.
1. What property of water allows it to act as a solvent in the human body?
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2. Describe the importance of the role of water as a solvent in the human body
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3. Name the following molecules.
H
O
Cholesterol
C
P
C
H
N
HO
P
HO
_______________________
H
R
_______________________
P
P
P
P
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_______________________
4. Describe the process of dehydration synthesis and hydrolysis as it applies to proteins.
Include a diagram.
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5. The pH of blood is maintained at approximately 7.4 by a buffering system. What is the
function of a buffer? Describe what could happen to hemoglobin (protein) if a buffering
system was absent and the pH of blood became acidic?
6. What is the function of the following molecules: starch, cellulose, and glycogen? (make sure
you can identify these molecules!)
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7. How does the molecular structure differ between saturated and unsaturated fatty acids?
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8. Describe in detail 2 of the major functions of proteins.
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9. What are two similarities between RNA and DNA?
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10. What are two differences between RNA and DNA?
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11. What is the function of ATP in the cell?
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12. What is the major function of RNA?
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Biology 12
Biological Molecules Assignment
Name: __________________
Date: ________ Block: _____
Directions: Answer all questions in complete sentences and make sure your information is
complete and concise.
1. What property of water allows it to act as a solvent in the human body?
Its polar
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2. Describe the importance of the role of water as a solvent in the human body
All chemical reactions occur in our cells and substance must be dissolved in order for
them to react
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3. Name the following molecules.
H
O
Cholesterol
C
P
C
H
N
HO
P
HO
Amino Acid
P
Cholesterol
H
R
P
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P
P
DNA
4. Describe the process of dehydration synthesis and hydrolysis as it applies to proteins.
Include a diagram.
Dehydration synthesis from ac
amino acid monomers are linked together to form a peptide
and water is produced
Hydrolysis from c  a
A polypeptide polymer is broken down in to smaller
repeating subunits and water is required
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5. The pH of blood is maintained at approximately 7.4 by a buffering system. What is the
function of a buffer? Describe what could happen to hemoglobin (protein) if a buffering
system was absent and the pH of blood became acidic?
Buffer- resists changes in pH
If blood were to become acidic hemoglobin would denature and it would lose its function
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6. What is the function of the following molecules: starch, cellulose, and glycogen? (make sure
you can identify these molecules!)



Starch- glucose storage form of plants
Cellulose- structural component of plant cell walls
Glycogen- glucose storage form in animals
7. How does the molecular structure differ between saturated and unsaturated fatty acids?
Saturated contains all single bonds unsaturated has at least one double bond
8. Describe in detail 2 of the major functions of proteins.
 provide STRUCTURAL SUPPORT (e.g. elastin, collagen in cartilage and bone, muscle cells)
 MOVEMENT (actin and myosin etc. in muscle cells)
 METABOLIC FUNCTIONS: ENZYMES (biochemical catalysts that speed up reaction
 fight disease:ANTIBODIES: proteins of your immune system
 Transport: HEMOGLOBIN is a protein that transports oxygen in your blood.
 Transport of molecules in and out of cell: Proteins act as channels in cell membranes
 Hormones: control many aspects of homeostasis. (e.g. insulin)
9. What are two similarities between RNA and DNA?
 are polymers
 form from dehydration synthesis
 made up of nucleotides.
 has a backbone of the sugars and phosphates
 complimentary base pairing
10. What are two structural differences between RNA and DNA?
 RNA: Uracil instead of adenine
 RNA: single strand vs double strand
 RNA: deoxyribose vs ribose sugar
11. What is the function of ATP in the cell?
Energy source for cellular reactions
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12. What is the major function of RNA?
Works with DNA to direct protein synthesis
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