CHEM 12O EXAM PREP VERIFIED
Intro to General, Organic & Biological
Chemistry with Lab
COMPLETED
2023/2024
, 1. What are the four main types of organic compounds found in living organisms? Give an
example and a function of each type.
- The four main types of organic compounds are carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and nucleic
acids. Carbohydrates are molecules composed of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen that provide
energy and structural support for cells. Examples of carbohydrates are glucose, starch and
cellulose. Lipids are molecules composed of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen that are insoluble in
water and serve as energy storage, membrane components and signaling molecules. Examples
of lipids are fats, oils and steroids. Proteins are molecules composed of amino acids that
perform various functions such as catalysis, transport, movement, defense and regulation.
Examples of proteins are enzymes, hemoglobin, actin and antibodies. Nucleic acids are
molecules composed of nucleotides that store and transmit genetic information. Examples of
nucleic acids are DNA and RNA.
2. What is the difference between a saturated and an unsaturated fatty acid? How does this
affect their physical properties and health effects?
- A saturated fatty acid is a fatty acid that has no double bonds between the carbon atoms in its
hydrocarbon chain, while an unsaturated fatty acid has one or more double bonds. The
presence of double bonds creates kinks in the hydrocarbon chain, which prevent the fatty acids
from packing tightly together. This affects their physical properties such as melting point and
solubility. Saturated fatty acids tend to have higher melting points and are more solid at room
temperature than unsaturated fatty acids, which tend to have lower melting points and are more
liquid at room temperature. The health effects of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids also
differ. Saturated fatty acids are associated with increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, while
unsaturated fatty acids are beneficial for lowering cholesterol levels and preventing
inflammation.
3. What is the difference between a primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary structure of a
protein? How do these structures affect the function of a protein?
Intro to General, Organic & Biological
Chemistry with Lab
COMPLETED
2023/2024
, 1. What are the four main types of organic compounds found in living organisms? Give an
example and a function of each type.
- The four main types of organic compounds are carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and nucleic
acids. Carbohydrates are molecules composed of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen that provide
energy and structural support for cells. Examples of carbohydrates are glucose, starch and
cellulose. Lipids are molecules composed of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen that are insoluble in
water and serve as energy storage, membrane components and signaling molecules. Examples
of lipids are fats, oils and steroids. Proteins are molecules composed of amino acids that
perform various functions such as catalysis, transport, movement, defense and regulation.
Examples of proteins are enzymes, hemoglobin, actin and antibodies. Nucleic acids are
molecules composed of nucleotides that store and transmit genetic information. Examples of
nucleic acids are DNA and RNA.
2. What is the difference between a saturated and an unsaturated fatty acid? How does this
affect their physical properties and health effects?
- A saturated fatty acid is a fatty acid that has no double bonds between the carbon atoms in its
hydrocarbon chain, while an unsaturated fatty acid has one or more double bonds. The
presence of double bonds creates kinks in the hydrocarbon chain, which prevent the fatty acids
from packing tightly together. This affects their physical properties such as melting point and
solubility. Saturated fatty acids tend to have higher melting points and are more solid at room
temperature than unsaturated fatty acids, which tend to have lower melting points and are more
liquid at room temperature. The health effects of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids also
differ. Saturated fatty acids are associated with increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, while
unsaturated fatty acids are beneficial for lowering cholesterol levels and preventing
inflammation.
3. What is the difference between a primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary structure of a
protein? How do these structures affect the function of a protein?
