Describe the important properties of enzymes.
[question] Question. Describe the important properties of enzymes. [/question] [solution] Solution: Properties of enzymes (1) Enzymes are complex macromolecules with high molecular weight. (2) They catalyze biochemical reactions in a cell. They help in the breakdown of large molecules into smaller molecules or bring together two smaller molecules to form a larger molecule. (3) Enzymes do not start a reaction. However, they help in accelerating it. (4) Enzymes affect the rate of biochemical react...
Find out how much cellulose is made by all the plants in the biosphere
[question] Question. Find out how much cellulose is made by all the plants in the biosphere and compare it with how much of paper is manufactured by man and hence what is the consumption of plant material by man annually. What a loss of vegetation! [/question] [solution] Solution: Approximately, 100 billion tonnes of cellulose are made per year by all the plants in the biosphere and it takes 17 full grown trees to make one ton of paper. Trees are also used to fulfil the other requirements of man...
Find out a qualitative test for proteins, fats and oils,
[question] Question. Find out a qualitative test for proteins, fats and oils, amino acids and test any fruit juice, saliva, sweat and urine for them. [/question] [solution] Solution: (a) Test for protein Biuret’s test – If Biuret’s reagent is added to protein, then the colour of the reagent changes from light blue to purple. (b) Test for fats and oils Grease or solubility test (c) Test for amino acid Ninhydrin test – If Ninhydrin reagent is added to the solution, then the colourless solution cha...
What are gums made of? Is Fevicol different?
[question] Question. What are gums made of? Is Fevicol different? [/question] [solution] Solution: Gums are hetero-polysaccharides. They are made from two or more different types of monosaccharides. On the other hand, fevicol is polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) glue. It is not a polysaccharide. [/solution]...
Draw the structure of the amino acid, alanine.
[question] Question. Draw the structure of the amino acid, alanine. [/question] [solution] Solution: Structure of alanine [/solution]...
Attempt titrating an amino acid against a weak base and discover
[question] Question. Attempt titrating an amino acid against a weak base and discover the number of dissociating ( ionizable ) functional groups in the amino acid. [/question] [solution] Solution: Titrating a neutral or basic amino acid against a weak base will dissociate only one functional group, whereas titration between acidic amino acid and a weak acid will dissociate two or more functional groups. [/solution]...
Can you attempt building models of biomolecules using
[question] Question. Can you attempt building models of biomolecules using commercially available atomic models (Ball and Stick models). [/question] [solution] Solution: Ball and stick models are 3-D molecular models that can be used to describe the structure of biomolecules. In ball and stick model, the atoms are represented as balls whereas the bonds that hold the atoms are represented by the sticks. Double and triple bonds are represented by springs that form curved connections between the ba...
Can you describe what happens when milk is converted
[question] Question. Can you describe what happens when milk is converted into curd or yoghurt from your understanding of proteins. [/question] [solution] Solution: Proteins are macromolecules formed by the polymerization of amino acids. Structurally, proteins are divided into four levels. (a) Primary structure – It is the linear sequence of amino acids in a polypeptide chain. (b) Secondary structure – The polypeptide chain is coiled to form a three-dimensional structure. (c) Tertiary structure ...
Explain the composition of triglyceride.
[question] Question. Explain the composition of triglyceride. [/question] [solution] Solution: Triglyceride is a glyceride, which is formed from a single molecule of glycerol, esterified with three fatty acids. It is mainly present in vegetable oils and animal fat. Structure of triglyceride The general chemical formula of triglyceride is $\mathrm{R}_{2} \mathrm{COO}-\mathrm{CH}_{2} \mathrm{CH}\left(-\mathrm{OOCR}_{1}\right) \mathrm{CH}_{2}-\mathrm{OOCR}_{3}$, where $\mathrm{R}_{1}, \mathrm{R}_{2...
Find out and make a list of proteins used as therapeutic agents.
[question] Question. Find out and make a list of proteins used as therapeutic agents. Find other applications of proteins (e.g., cosmetics, etc.) [/question] [solution] Solution: Proteins used as therapeutic agents are as follows: 1. Thrombin and fibrinogen – They help in blood clotting. 2. Antigen (antibody) – It helps in blood transfusion. 3. Insulin – It helps in maintaining blood glucose level in the body. 4. Renin – It helps in osmoregulation. Proteins are also commonly used in the manufact...
Proteins have primary structure.
[question] Question. Proteins have primary structure. If you are given a method to know which amino acid is at either of the two termini (ends) of a protein, can you connect this information to purity or homogeneity of a protein? [/question] [solution] Solution: Yes, if we are given a method to know the sequence of proteins, we can connect this information to the purity of a protein. It is known that an accurate sequence of a certain amino acid is very important for the functioning of a protein....
Find and write down structures of 10 interesting small molecular weight
[question] Question. Find and write down structures of 10 interesting small molecular weight biomolecules. Find if there is any industry which manufactures the compounds by isolation. Find out who are the buyers [/question] [solution] Solution: [/solution]...
What is meant by tertiary structure of proteins?
[question] Question. What is meant by tertiary structure of proteins? [/question] [solution] Solution: The helical polypeptide chain undergoes coiling and folding to form a complex three-dimensional shape referred to as tertiary structure of proteins. These coils and folds are arranged to hide the non-polar amino acid chains and to expose the polar side chains. The tertiary structure is held together by the weak bonds formed between various parts of the polypeptide chain. [/solution]...
Illustrate a glycosidic, peptide and a phospho-diester bond.
[question] Question. Illustrate a glycosidic, peptide and a phospho-diester bond. [/question] [solution] Solution: [/solution]...
What are macromolecules? Give examples.
[question] Question. What are macromolecules? Give examples. [/question] [solution] Solution: Macromolecules are large complex molecules that occur in colloidal state in intercellular fluid. They are formed by the polymerization of low molecular weight micromolecules. Polysaccharides, proteins, and nucleic acids are common examples of macromolecules. [/solution]...