Polymer Principles

1.

Explain how monomers are used to build polymers.

2.

List the four major classes of macromolecules.

3.

Compare condensation and hydrolysis.

4.

Explain how organic polymers contribute to biological diversity.

Carbohydrates: Fuel and Building Material

5.

Describe the distinguishing characteristics of carbohydrates and explain how they are classified.

6.

Distinguish between monosaccharides and disaccharides.

7.

Identify a glycosidic linkage and describe how it is formed.

8.

Describe the structure and functions of polysaccharides.

9.

Distinguish between the glycosidic linkages found in starch and cellulose and explain why the difference is biologically important.

Lipids: Diverse Hydrophobic Molecules

10.

Explain what distinguishes lipids from other major classes of macromolecules.

11.

Describe the unique properties, building-block molecules, and biological importance of the three important groups of lipids: fats, phospholipids, and steroids.

12.

Identify an ester linkage and describe how it is formed.

13.

Distinguish between a saturated and an unsaturated fat and list some unique emergent properties that are a consequence of these structural differences.

Proteins: Many Structures, Many Functions

14.

Describe the characteristics that distinguish proteins from the other major classes of macromolecules and explain the biologically important functions of this group.

Science as a Process

15.

List and describe the four major components of an amino acid. Explain how amino acids may be grouped according to the physical and chemical properties of the side chains.

16.

Identify a peptide bond and explain how it is formed.

17.

Distinguish between a polypeptide and a protein.

18.

Explain what determines protein conformation and why it is important.

19.

Define primary structure and describe how it may be deduced in the laboratory.

20.

Describe the two types of secondary protein structure. Explain the role of hydrogen bonds in maintaining the structure.

21.

Explain how weak interactions and disulfide bridges contribute to tertiary protein structure.

22.

Using collagen and hemoglobin as examples, describe quaternary protein structure.

23.

Define denaturation and explain how proteins may be denatured.

Nucleic Acids: Informational Polymers

24.

Describe the characteristics that distinguish nucleic acids from the other major groups of macromolecules.

25.

Summarize the functions of nucleic acids.

26.

List the major components of a nucleotide, and describe how these monomers are linked to form a nucleic acid.

27.

Distinguish between a pyrimidine and a purine.

28.

Briefly describe the three-dimensional structure of DNA.

29.

Explain how the structure of DNA and proteins can be used to document the hereditary background of an organism.