Eddy Egan November 1, 2006

Tuliszewski Period ½

Page 48 Section Assessment 2-3

1. Name four groups of organic compounds found in living things.

- Carbohydrates, Lipids, Nucleic Acids, and Proteins
2. Describe at least one function of each group of organic compounds.
- Living things use carbohydrates as their main source of energy and some
structural purposes. Lipids can be used to store energy, and sometimes biological
membranes and waterproof coverings. Nucleic acids store and transmit heredity.
Proteins control the rate of reactions and regulate cell processes and some are
used to form bones and muscles, others transport substances into or out of cells or
help to fight disease.
3. What properties of carbon explain carbon’s ability to form many different
macromolecules?
- Carbon has four valence electrons, each of which can join with an electron from
another atom to form a strong covalent bond. Carbon can bond with many
elements, including H, O, P, S and N. Plus; Carbon can bond to other Carbon
atoms thus having the ability to form chains that are almost unlimited length.
4. Explain why proteins are considered polymers but lipids are not.
- Proteins are polymers of amino acids; lipids are not polymers because the
subunits are not held together by covalent bonds.
5. Compare the structures and functions of the biomolecules lipids and starches.
- Lipids are a large group of biomolecules that are generally not soluble in water
and are formed when a glycerol molecule combines with molecules of fatty acids.
They are used to store energy and some are important parts of biological
membranes and waterproof coverings. Starches help many animals and plants to
store excess sugar and supplies energy for movement.