Define water.
A polar molecule essential for life, composed of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom.
True or false: Water has a high specific heat capacity.
TRUE
This property helps regulate temperatures in organisms and environments.
Fill in the blank: Nucleic acids are made up of _______.
Nucleotides
What is the primary function of DNA?
To store and transmit genetic information.
Define proteins.
Large biomolecules made of amino acids that perform various functions in organisms.
What is the role of enzymes in metabolism?
To speed up biochemical reactions by lowering activation energy.
True or false: Enzymes are consumed in reactions.
FALSE
Enzymes can be reused multiple times in reactions.
Fill in the blank: Carbohydrates are primarily composed of _______.
Carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen.
What are the two main types of lipids?
Fats and phospholipids.
Define metabolism.
The sum of all chemical reactions occurring in a living organism.
What is the function of phospholipids in cells?
To form cell membranes and create a barrier between the cell and its environment.
True or false: RNA is a double-stranded molecule.
FALSE
RNA is typically single-stranded and plays a role in protein synthesis.
Fill in the blank: Amino acids are linked by _______ bonds.
Peptide
What is the primary energy source for cells?
Glucose, a simple carbohydrate.
Define substrate in enzyme activity.
The specific reactant molecule that an enzyme acts upon.
What is the role of cholesterol in cell membranes?
To maintain membrane fluidity and stability.
True or false: Hydrophilic substances repel water.
FALSE
Hydrophilic substances are attracted to water and can dissolve in it.
Fill in the blank: Glycogen is a storage form of _______ in animals.
Glucose
What is the function of ribosomes?
To synthesize proteins by translating mRNA.
Define enzyme specificity.
The ability of an enzyme to select and catalyze a specific substrate.
What are triglycerides composed of?
One glycerol and three fatty acids.
True or false: Hydrophobic molecules mix well with water.
FALSE
Hydrophobic molecules do not interact well with water.
Fill in the blank: Cellulose is a structural carbohydrate found in _______.
Plant cell walls.
What is the role of ATP in metabolism?
To provide energy for cellular processes.