Enzymes
What are enzymes, and what role do they play in chemical reactions?
Enzymes are proteins that lower the activation energy required for chemical reactions, allowing the reactions to occur more quickly
What macromolecules contain nitrogen, and why is this important?
Proteins and nucleic acids contain nitrogen, which is crucial for forming amino acids and nitrogenous bases.
How does water's ability to hold heat impact Earth's temperature?
Water's high heat capacity moderates Earth's temperature, preventing extreme fluctuations.
In an experiment, how would you identify the independent and dependent variables?
The independent variable is manipulated, and the dependent variable is measured.
Why would an enzyme not be able to break something down?
The enzyme may not fit into the active site, which is specific for breaking down certain molecules like starches into sugars.
What type of food provides the most energy per gram, and why is it important in certain situations?
Foods high in lipids (fats) provide the most energy per gram, important for sustained energy activities like hiking.
Why is the density of ice lower than that of liquid water, and why is this important?
Ice is less dense, allowing it to float, which insulates aquatic life and stabilizes ecosystems.
What makes a scientific experiment valid?
A control group, an experimental group, and a large sample size.
What effect does pH have on enzymes?
High pH can cause an enzyme to function improperly unless it is designed to operate in that pH range
What happens chemically when eating a carbohydrate?
Enzymes in saliva start breaking down carbohydrates into simpler sugars.
How does cohesion contribute to the high surface tension of water?
Cohesion between water molecules creates high surface tension, allowing insects to walk on water.
How could an experiment design be improved?
By testing a range of conditions or increasing the sample size for better accuracy.
How does temperature affect enzyme activity?
Enzyme activity increases up to a certain optimal temperature, beyond which the activity decreases.
Why is it important to study biomolecules like carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids?
They perform critical functions necessary for life and metabolic processes.
What property of water helps maintain stable temperatures in aquatic environments?
High specific heat helps resist temperature changes, and ice's lower density provides insulation.
What factors should be considered when interpreting survey results from a potentially biased source?
Population surveyed, sample size, and potential conflicts of interest.
How do catalysts work in chemical reactions?
Catalysts lower the activation energy required for a reaction, increasing the reaction rate without being consumed.
What are the functions of proteins in biological systems?
Proteins provide structure, catalyze reactions, and offer immunity.
Why is water's high heat capacity important for life on Earth?
Answer: It stabilizes climates, allowing organisms to survive in diverse environments.
Name the steps of the scientific method in order
ask questions, gather information, hypothesize, conduct experiments, record data, share results