Water Chemistry
What is the formula for water?
H₂O
Q: What are the four main types of macromolecules?
A: Carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.
Q: What is an enzyme?
A: A biological catalyst that speeds up chemical reactions and lower activation energy.
Q: What is the overall equation for photosynthesis?
A: CO₂ + H₂O + light energy → C₆H₁₂O₆ + O₂
Q: What is the first step of the scientific method?
A: Asking a question or identifying a problem.
Q: Why is water considered a polar molecule?
A: a partial positive charge on the hydrogen atoms and a partial negative charge on the oxygen atom
Q: How do carbohydrates function in living organisms?
A: They provide energy and serve as structural components in cells.
Q: How do enzymes speed up chemical reactions?
A: By lowering the activation energy required for the reaction.
Q: What are the main products of photosynthesis?
A: Glucose (C₆H₁₂O₆) and oxygen (O₂)
Q: What is the purpose of a control group in an experiment?
A: To provide a standard for comparison and ensure that results are due to the variable being tested.
Q: How does water's high specific heat benefit living organisms?
A: It helps regulate temperature in organisms and environments by absorbing and releasing heat slowly.
Q: Describe the structure and function of proteins.
A: Proteins are made of amino acids and function in structure, transport, enzymes, and signaling.
Q: What factors can affect enzyme activity?
A: Temperature, pH, substrate
Q: Describe the process of cellular respiration.
A: It is the process by which cells break down glucose in the presence of oxygen to produce ATP, water, and carbon dioxide.
Q: Why is it important to repeat experiments?
A: To ensure reliability and confirm that results are consistent.
Q: What role does water play in cellular processes?
A: Water acts as a solvent, medium for chemical reactions, and helps in transport and temperature regulation.
Q: What role do lipids play in cell membranes?
A: Lipids, particularly phospholipids, form a bilayer that acts as a barrier and helps regulate what enters and exits the cell.
Q: Explain the concept of the active site.
A: The active site is the region on the enzyme where the substrate binds and the reaction occurs.
Q: How do photosynthesis and respiration relate to energy flow in ecosystems?
A: Photosynthesis captures energy from sunlight and stores it in glucose, while respiration releases that energy for cellular work.
Q: What is the difference between an independent and a dependent variable?
A: The independent variable is what the scientist changes; the dependent variable is what is measured in response.
Q: Explain how water's properties affect temperature regulation in organisms.
A: Water's high specific heat stabilizes internal temperatures and buffers against rapid changes, aiding in homeostasis.
Q: How are nucleic acids involved in heredity?
A: Nucleic acids like DNA store genetic information and pass it from one generation to the next.
Q: What are the steps of an enzymatic reaction?
A: Enzyme finds a substrate. Enzyme substrate complex enables, reaction occurs and enzyme can be reused while products are released.
Q: Explain how the processes of photosynthesis and respiration are interconnected.
A: The products of one process are the reactants of the other; photosynthesis produces glucose and oxygen, which are used in respiration, and respiration produces carbon dioxide and water, used in photosynthesis.
Q: What is the difference between a hypothesis and a theory?
A hypothesis is a testable prediction based on observations; a theory is a well-supported explanation of natural phenomena based on extensive evidence.