/*! This file is auto-generated */ .wp-block-button__link{color:#fff;background-color:#32373c;border-radius:9999px;box-shadow:none;text-decoration:none;padding:calc(.667em + 2px) calc(1.333em + 2px);font-size:1.125em}.wp-block-file__button{background:#32373c;color:#fff;text-decoration:none} Problem 12 In Section 22.6, three important... [FREE SOLUTION] | 91影视

91影视

Log out

Learning Materials

Features

Discover

Chapter 22: Problem 12

In Section 22.6, three important classes of biologically important natural polymers are discussed. What are the three classes, what are the monomers used to form the polymers, and why are they biologically important?

Short Answer

Expert verified
The three classes of biologically important natural polymers are carbohydrates, proteins, and nucleic acids. Carbohydrates consist of monomer units called monosaccharides, proteins consist of monomer units called amino acids, and nucleic acids consist of monomer units called nucleotides. These polymers are vital for various biological processes: carbohydrates provide energy and structural support, proteins play roles in biochemical reactions and cellular functions, and nucleic acids store and transmit genetic information and guide protein synthesis.

Step by step solution

01

Class 1: Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates are a class of biologically important polymers consisting of monomer units called monosaccharides. Monosaccharides are simple sugars such as glucose, fructose, and galactose. These polymers can be classified as disaccharides, oligosaccharides, or polysaccharides. Carbohydrates play crucial roles in living organisms: they serve as an essential source of energy, contribute to the structural components of cells, and function as cell-to-cell signaling molecules.
02

Class 2: Proteins

Proteins are another class of biologically important polymers. These natural polymers are comprised of monomer units called amino acids. There are 20 standard amino acids that can combine to form a vast array of proteins structures via peptide bonds. Proteins play a critical role in every biological process, including catalyzing biochemical reactions, providing structural support, facilitating transport of molecules across cell membranes, and coordinating various processes within the body through signaling and regulation.
03

Class 3: Nucleic Acids

Nucleic acids are the third class of biologically important natural polymers. Nucleic acids are made up of monomer units called nucleotides, which consist of a nitrogenous base, a five-carbon sugar (either ribose or deoxyribose), and a phosphate group. There are two types of nucleic acids: DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) and RNA (ribonucleic acid). DNA stores genetic information and serves as the blueprint for synthesizing proteins, while RNA is involved in various cellular processes, including the synthesis of proteins from DNA. Nucleic acids are essential for the storage and transmission of genetic information, protein synthesis, and regulation of gene expression. In conclusion, carbohydrates, proteins, and nucleic acids are the three classes of biologically important natural polymers. Carbohydrates serve as energy sources and structural components, proteins participate in a wide range of cellular processes and functions, and nucleic acids store and transmit genetic information and direct protein synthesis.

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

  • Full Textbook Solutions

    Get detailed explanations and key concepts

  • Unlimited Al creation

    Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...

  • Ads-free access

    To over 500 millions flashcards

  • Money-back guarantee

    We refund you if you fail your exam.

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with 91影视!

Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are key players in the biological world, acting as natural polymers that are fundamental to life. The building blocks, or monomers, of carbohydrates are known as monosaccharides. Think of these as simple sugars, with common examples being glucose, fructose, and galactose.

These monosaccharides can combine to form complex chains, classified as disaccharides, oligosaccharides, or polysaccharides, depending on the number of sugar units linked.

Carbohydrates serve several important functions:
  • They are a primary source of energy for cells, fueling metabolic processes.
  • They help to build cellular structures, contributing to the integrity and function of cells.
  • They act as signaling molecules in cell-to-cell communication, essential for biological interactions.
Hence, carbohydrates are vital for both the energy supply and structural maintenance within living organisms.
Proteins
Proteins are versatile natural polymers made from monomers called amino acids. There are 20 different amino acids that can combine in numerous ways to form various proteins through peptide bonds. The diversity of proteins reflects the unique sequence and arrangement of these amino acids.

Proteins play a major role in almost every biological process, performing functions such as:
  • Catalyzing biochemical reactions as enzymes.
  • Providing structural support to cells and tissues.
  • Facilitating the transport of substances across cell membranes.
  • Coordinating cellular activities through signaling pathways and regulatory mechanisms.


Considering these roles, proteins are indispensable for maintaining life processes, from cellular metabolism to organismal development.
Nucleic Acids
Nucleic acids, another class of vital natural polymers, consist of monomers called nucleotides. Each nucleotide contains three components: a nitrogenous base, a five-carbon sugar (ribose in RNA or deoxyribose in DNA), and a phosphate group.

There are two primary types of nucleic acids: DNA and RNA.
  • DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) serves as the repository of genetic information, embodying the blueprint for protein synthesis.
  • RNA (ribonucleic acid) supports various cellular tasks, including the synthesis of proteins guided by the information in DNA.


Nucleic acids are thus essential for the storage and transmission of genetic information, as well as for facilitating the expression of genes into functional proteins.

One App. One Place for Learning.

All the tools & learning materials you need for study success - in one app.

Get started for free

Most popular questions from this chapter

Polychlorinated dibenzo- \(p\) -dioxins (PCDDs) are highly toxic substances that are present in trace amounts as by-products of some chemical manufacturing processes. They have been implicated in a number of environmental incidents- for example, the chemical contamination at Love Canal and the herbicide spraying The most toxic \(\mathrm{PCDD}\) is \(2,3,7,8\) -tetrachloro-dibenzo- \(p\) -dioxin. Draw the structure of this compound. Also draw the structures of two other isomers containing four chlorine atoms.

ABS plastic is a tough, hard plastic used in applications requiring shock resistance. The polymer consists of three monomer units: acrylonitrile \(\left(\mathrm{C}_{3} \mathrm{H}_{3} \mathrm{~N}\right)\), butadiene \(\left(\mathrm{C}_{4} \mathrm{H}_{6}\right)\), and styrene \(\left(\mathrm{C}_{8} \mathrm{H}_{8}\right)\). a. Draw two repeating units of \(\mathrm{ABS}\) plastic assuming that the three monomer units react in a \(1: 1: 1\) mole ratio and react in the same order as the monomers listed above. b. A sample of ABS plastic contains \(8.80 \% \mathrm{~N}\) by mass. It took \(0.605 \mathrm{~g} \mathrm{Br}_{2}\) to react completely with a \(1.20-\mathrm{g}\) sample of \(\mathrm{ABS}\) plastic. What is the percent by mass of acrylonitrile, butadiene, and styrene in this polymer sample? c. ABS plastic does not react in a \(1: 1: 1\) mole ratio among the three monomer units. Using the results from part b, determine the relative numbers of the monomer units in this sample of ABS plastic.

For each of the following, fill in the blank with the correct response(s). All of the following pertain to nucleic acids. a. The substance in the nucleus of the cell that stores and transmits genetic information is DNA, which stands for b. The basic repeating monomer units of DNA and RNA are called c. The pentose deoxyribose is found in DNA, whereas is found in RNA. d. The basic linkage in DNA or RNA between the sugar molecule and phosphoric acid is a phosphate e. The bases on opposite strands of DNA are said to be to each other, which means the bases fit together specifically by hydrogen bonding to one another. f. In a strand of normal DNA, the base found paired with the base adenine, whereas is always found paired with cytosine. g. A given segment of the DNA molecule, which contains the molecular coding for a specific protein to be synthesized, is referred to as a- h. During protein synthesis, RNA molecules attach to and transport specific amino acids to the appropriate position on the pattern provided by RNA molecules. i. The codes specified by are responsible for assembling the correct primary structure of proteins.

Consider the following reactions. For parts \(\mathrm{b}-\mathrm{d}\), see Exercise \(62 .\) a. When \(\mathrm{C}_{5} \mathrm{H}_{12}\) is reacted with \(\mathrm{Cl}_{2}(g)\) in the presence of ultraviolet light, four different monochlorination products form. What is the structure of \(\mathrm{C}_{5} \mathrm{H}_{12}\) in this reaction? b. When \(\mathrm{C}_{4} \mathrm{H}_{8}\) is reacted with \(\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}\), a tertiary alcohol is produced as the major product. What is the structure of \(\mathrm{C}_{4} \mathrm{H}_{8}\) in this reaction? c. When \(\mathrm{C}_{7} \mathrm{H}_{12}\) is reacted with \(\mathrm{HCl}\), 1 -chloro-1-methylcyclohexane is produced as the major product. What are the two possible structures for \(\mathrm{C}_{7} \mathrm{H}_{12}\) in this reaction? d. When a hydrocarbon is reacted with \(\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}\) and the major product of this reaction is then oxidized, acetone (2-propanone) is produced. What is the structure of the hydrocarbon in this reaction? e. When \(\mathrm{C}_{5} \mathrm{H}_{12} \mathrm{O}\) is oxidized, a carboxylic acid is produced. What are the possible structures for \(\mathrm{C}_{5} \mathrm{H}_{12} \mathrm{O}\) in this reaction?

Poly(lauryl methacrylate) is used as an additive in motor oils to counter the loss of viscosity at high temperature. The structure is The long hydrocarbon chain of poly(lauryl methacrylate) makes the polymer soluble in oil (a mixture of hydrocarbons with mostly 12 or more carbon atoms). At low temperatures the polymer is coiled into balls. At higher temperatures the balls uncoil and the polymer exists as long chains. Explain how this helps control the viscosity of oil.
See all solutions

Recommended explanations on Chemistry Textbooks

Inorganic Chemistry

Read Explanation

Organic Chemistry

Read Explanation

Kinetics

Read Explanation

Physical Chemistry

Read Explanation

Chemistry Branches

Read Explanation

Chemical Analysis

Read Explanation
View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.