Biomolecules
MCQsWhat are monosaccharides ?
A carbohydrate that cannot be hydrolysed further to give simpler unit of polyhydroxy aldehyde or ketone is called a monosaccharide. With a few exceptions they have general formula, CnH2nOn. About 20 monosaccharides are known to occur in nature. Some common examples are glucose, fructose, ribose, etc.
What are reducing sugars ?
All those carbohydrates which reduce Fehling’s solution and Tollen’s reagent are referred to as reducing sugars. All monosaccharides whether aldose or ketose are reducing sugars.
What structural feature is required for a carbohydrate to behave as reducing sugar ?
The carbonyl group of any one monosaccharide present in carbohydrate should be free.
Write two main functions of carbohydrates in plants.
Two main functions of carbohydrates are-
a. Cell wall of bacteria and plants is made up of a polysaccharide, cellulose.
b. Starch is the major food reserve material in plants.
Classify the following into monosaccharides and disaccharides. Ribose, 2-deoxyribose, maltose, galactose, fructose and lactose.
Monosaccharides : Ribose, 2-deoxyribose, galactose and fructose
Disaccharides : Maltose and Lactose
What do you understand by the term glycosidic linkage ?
Disaccharides on hydrolysis with dilute acids or enzymes yield two molecules of either the same or different monosaccharides. The two monosaccharides are joined together by an oxide linkage formed by the loss of a water molecule. Such a linkage between two monosaccharides units through oxygen atom is called glycosidic linkage.
What is glycogen? How is it different from starch ?
The carbohydrates are stored in animal body as glycogen. It is also known as animal starch because its structure is similar to amylopectin. It is present in liver, muscles and brain. When the body needs glucose, enzymes break the glycogen down to glucose. Glycogen is also found in yeast and fungi.Starch is the main storage polysaccharide of plants. It is the most important dietary source for human being. High content of starch is found in cereals, roots, tubers and some vegetables. It is a polymer of two components- amylose (15-20%) which is water soluble and amylopectin(80-85%) which is water insoluble.
What are the hydrolysis products of sucrose and lactose ?
Sucrose on hydrolysis gives one unit of glucose and one unit of fructose.
Lactose on hydrolysis with dilute acids yields an equimolar mixture of D-glucose and D-galactose.
What is the basic structural difference between starch and cellulose ?
The basic structural difference between starch and cellulose is of linkage between the glucose units. In starch, there is a-D-glycosidic linkage. Both the components of starch-amylose and amylopectine are polymer of a-D-glucose. On the other hand, cellulose is a linear polymer of b-D-glucose in which C1 of one glucose unit is connected to C4 of the other through b-D-glycosidic linkage.
What are essential and non-essential amino acids? Give two examples of each type.
There are about 20 amino acids which make up the bio-proteins. Out of these 10 amino acids (non-essential) are synthesised by our bodies and rest are essential in the diet (essential amino acids) and supplied to our bodies by food which we take because they cannot be synthesised in our body. e.g.
Essential amino acid - Valine and Leucine
Non-essential amino acid - Glycine and Alanine
Define the following as related to proteins
a. Peptide linkage
b. Primary structure
c. Denaturation.
a. Peptide Linkage: Proteins are the polymers of a-amino acids which are connected to each other by peptide bond or peptide linkage. Chemically, peptide linkage is an amide formed between –COOH group and –NH2 group. The reaction between two molecules of similar or different amino acids, proceeds through the combination of the amino group of one molecule with the carboxyl group of the other. This results in the elimination of a water molecule and formation of a peptide bond –CO–NH–. The product of the reaction is called a dipeptide because it is made up of two amino acids. For example, when carboxyl group of glycine combines with the amino group of alanine we get a dipeptide, glycylalanine.
b. Primary Structure: Proteins may have one or more polypeptide chains. Each polypeptide in a protein has amino acids linked with each other in a specific sequence and it is this sequence of amino acids that is said to be the primary structure of that protein. Any change in this primary structure i.e., the sequence of amine acids creates a different protein.
c. Denaturation: Protein found in a biological system with a unique three-dimensional structure and biological activity is called a native protein. When a protein in its native form, is subjected to physical change like change in temperature or chemical change in pH, the hydrogen bonds are disturbed. Due to this, globules unfold and helix get uncoiled and protein loses its biological activity. This is called denaturation of protein. During denaturation 2° and 3° structures are destroyed but 1° structure remains intact. The coagulation of egg white on boiling is a common example of denaturation. Another example is curdling of milk which is caused due to the formation of lactic acid by the bacteria present in milk.
What are enzymes ?
Life is possible due to the coordination of various chemical processes in living organisms. An example is the digestion of food, absorption of appropriate molecules and ultimately production of energy. This process involves a sequence of reactions and all these reactions occur in the body under very mild conditions. This occurs with the help of certain biocatalysts called enzymes. Almost all the enzymes are globular proteins. Enzymes are specific for a particular reaction and for a particular substrate. They are generally named after the compound or class of compounds upon which they work. For example, the enzyme that catalyses hydrolysis of maltose into glucose is named as maltose.
What is the effect of denaturation on the structure of proteins ?
Proteins are very sensitive to the action of heat, mineral acids, alkalies etc. On heating or on treatment with mineral acids, soluble forms of proteins such as globular proteins often undergo coagulation or precipitation to give fibrous proteins which are insoluble in water. This coagulation also results in the loss of the biological activity of the protein. That is why the coagulated proteins so formed are called denatured proteins.. Chemically, denaturation does not change the primary structure but brings about changes in the secondary and tertiary structure of proteins.
What is the difference between native protein and denatured protein ?
Proteins found in a biological system with unique 3D-structure and biological activity is called native protein. When native protein is subjected to physical and chemical change, protein loses its biological activity and is called denatured protein.
How are vitamins classified ? Name the vitamin responsible for the coagulation of blood.
Vitamins are classified into two groups depending upon their solubility in water or fat.
a. Fat soluble vitamins: Vitamins which are soluble in fats and oils but insoluble in water are kept in this group. These are vitamins A, D, E and K. They are stored in liver and adipose (fat storing) tissues.
b. Water soluble vitamins: B group vitamins and vitamin C are soluble in water so they are grouped together. Water soluble vitamins must be supplied regularly in diet because they are readily excreted in urine and cannot be stored (except vitamin B12) in our body.
Vitamin K is responsible for coagulation of blood.
Why are vitamin A and vitamin C essential to us? Give their important sources.
Deficiency of vitamin A causes Xerophthalmia (hardening of cornea of the eye) and night blindness. So its use is essential to us. It is available in fish liver oil, carrots, butter and milk. It promotes growth and increases resistance to diseases. Vitamin C is very essential to us because its deficiency causes Scurvy (bleeding of gums) and pyorrhea (loosening and bleeding of teeth). Vitamin C increases resistance of the body towards diseases. Maintains healthy skin and helps cuts and abrasions to heat properly. It is soluble in water. It is present in citrus fruits, e.g.,oranges, lemons, amla, tomatoes, green vegetables (Cabbage) chillies, sprouted pulses and germinated grains.
What are nucleic acids ? Mention their two important functions.
Nucleic acids: They constitute an important class of biomolecules which are found in the nuclei of all living cells in the form of nucleoproteins (i.e., proteins containing nucleic acid as the prosthetic group). Nucleic acids are the genetic materials of the cells and are responsible for transmission of hereditary effect from one generation to the other and also carry out the biosynthesis of proteins. Nucleic acids are biopolymers (i.e., polymers present in the living system). The genetic information coded in nucleic acids controls the structure of all proteins including enzymes and thus governs the entire metabolic activity in the living organism.
Two important functions of nucleic acids are-
a. Replication: The process by which a single DNA molecule produces two identical copies of itself is called replication.
b. Protein Synthesis: DNA may be regarded as the instrument manual for the synthesis of all proteins present in the cell.
What is the difference between a nucleoside and a nucleotide ?
Nucleoside: A nucleoside contains only two basic components of nucleic acids, i.e., a pentose sugar and a nitrogenous base. It may be represented as Sugar-base.
Depending upon the type of sugar present, nucleosides are of two types . They are- Ribonucleosides and Deoxyribonucleosides.
Nucleotides: A nucleotide contains all the three basic components of nucleic acids, i.e., a phosphoric acid group, a pentose sugar and a nitrogenous base. In other words, nucleotides are nucleoside monophosphates.Depending upon the type of sugar present, nucleotides like nucleosides are of two types. They are- Ribonucleotides and Deoxyribonucleotides.
The two strands in DNA are not identical but are complementary. Explain.
Two nucleic acid chains are wound about each other and held together by hydrogen bonds between pairs of bases. The two strands are complementary to each other because the hydrogen bonds are formed between specific pairs of bases. Adenine forms hydrogen bonds with thymine whereas cytosine forms hydrogen bonds with guanine.
What are the different types of RNA found in the cell ?
RNA molecules are of three types and they perform different functions. They are named as messenger RNA (m-RNA), ribosomal RNA (r-RNA) and transfer RNA (t-RNA).
Glucose or sucrose are soluble in water, but cyclohexane or benzene (simple six membered ring compounds) are insoluble in water. Explain.
Glucose or sucrose contain several hydroxyl groups in their molecules which form hydrogen bonding with water molecules due to which they dissolve in water. On the other hand compounds like benzene or cyclohexane can not form hydrogen bonds with water molecules, so they are insoluble in water.
What products are expected when lactose is hydrolysed ?
Lactose (C12H22O11) on hydrolysis with dilute acid yields an equimolar mixture of D-glucose and D-galactose.The melting points and solubility in water of amino acids are higher than those of the corresponding haloacids. Explain.
The amino acids exist as zwitter ions, H3N+—OHR—COO—. Because of this dipolar salt like character they have strong dipole-dipole attractions. So, their melting points are higher than halo acids which do not have sail like character. Moreover, due to this salt like character, they interact strongly with H2O. Thus, solubility of amino acids in water is higher than that of the corresponding halo acids which do not have salt like character.
Where does the water present in the egg go after boiling the egg.
The boiling of an egg is a common example of denaturation of proteins present in the white portion of an egg. The albumin present in the white of an egg gets coagulated when the egg is boiled hard. The soluble globular protein present in it is denatured resulting in the formation of insoluble fibrous protein.
Why vitamin C cannot be stored in our body ?
Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin. So, it can not be stored in our body because they are readily excreted in urine.
What products would be formed when a nucleotide from DNA containing thymine is hydrolysed ?
When a nucleotide from DNA containing thymine is completely hydrolysed, the products obtained are:
a. 2-deoxy-D(–)ribose.
b. two pyrimidine i.e., guanine (G) and adenine (A).
c. two purines, i.e., thymine (T) and cytosine (C)
d. phosphoric acid.
When RNA is hydrolysed, there is no relationship among the quantities of different bases obtained ? What does this fact suggest about the structure of RNA ?
A DNA molecule has two strands in which the four complementary bases pair each other, viz. cytosine (C) always pairs with guanine (G) while thymine (T) always pairs with adenine (A). Therefore, when a DNA molecule is hydrolysed the molar amount of cytosine is always equal to that of guanine and that of adenine is always equal to that of thymine.
RNA also contains four bases, the first three are same as in DNA but the fourth one is uracil (U). As in RNA there is no relationship between the quantities of four bases (C, G, A and U) obtained, therefore, the base-pairing principle, viz., (A) pairs with (U) and (C) pairs with (G) is not followed. So, unlike DNA, RNA has a single strand.
