Carbon and building macromolecules
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Flip to reveal answersHow many covalent bonds can one carbon atom form?
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All 15 Flashcards — Carbon and building macromolecules
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Question
How many covalent bonds can one carbon atom form?
Answer
**Four** — this lets carbon build chains, branches and rings.
Question
Why is carbon the 'backbone' of biological molecules?
Answer
Each carbon forms **four covalent bonds** and bonds to itself and other elements, so it builds a huge variety of molecule shapes.
Question
Define a macromolecule.
Answer
A very large molecule built from **many smaller repeating subunits** (e.g. a polysaccharide, protein or nucleic acid).
Question
Define a monomer.
Answer
A single small subunit that can be joined to others to build a larger molecule (e.g. glucose, an amino acid).
Question
Define a polymer.
Answer
A large molecule made of **many monomers** joined together (e.g. starch).
Question
Define condensation.
Answer
A reaction that **joins two subunits** and **releases one water molecule (H₂O)**.
Question
Define hydrolysis.
Answer
A reaction that **uses one water molecule (H₂O)** to break a bond and split a molecule into two subunits.
Question
Which reaction builds macromolecules?
Answer
**Condensation** — it joins monomers and removes water.
Question
Which reaction breaks macromolecules (or disaccharides) down?
Answer
**Hydrolysis** — it adds water to split the bonds.
Question
Is condensation anabolic or catabolic?
Answer
**Anabolic** — it builds larger molecules from smaller ones.
Question
Is hydrolysis anabolic or catabolic?
Answer
**Catabolic** — it breaks larger molecules into smaller ones.
Question
In condensation, what happens to water?
Answer
One **water molecule is released** (removed) each time a bond forms.
Question
In hydrolysis, what happens to water?
Answer
One **water molecule is used** (added) to break each bond.
Question
What feature is common to all polysaccharides and triglycerides?
Answer
They are macromolecules built from **smaller subunits joined by condensation**, releasing water.
Question
What does the word 'hydrolysis' literally mean?
Answer
'**Hydro**' = water, '**lysis**' = splitting — splitting a molecule using water.
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Topic 2.1 hub
Carbohydrates and lipids
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