AQA A-Level Biology Unit 1A - Biological
Molecules Complete Answers
Monomers - Answer-Small basic molecular units
Examples of monomers - Answer-monosaccharides, amino acids and nucleotides
Polymers - Answer-Large complex molecules composed of long chains of monomers
joined together
Examples of polymers - Answer-Carbohydrates, proteins and nucleic acids
What type of sugar is glucose? - Answer-Hexose
How many types of glucose are there? - Answer-2
What are the names of the types of glucose? - Answer-Alpha-glucose and beta-glucose
Are the types of glucose isomers? - Answer-Yes
What is a condensation reaction? - Answer-When 2 molecules join together with the
formation of a new chemical bond, releasing a water molecule
Condensation reactions join which molecules? - Answer-Monosaccharides
What type of chemical bond forms between 2 monosaccharides? - Answer-Glycosidic
What is formed when 2 monosaccharides join together? - Answer-Disaccharide
Which 2 molecules make maltose? - Answer-Alpha glucose and alpha glucose
What is sucrose made from? - Answer-Alpha glucose and fructose
Which 2 molecules make lactose? - Answer-Alpha glucose and galactose
What is a hydrolysis reaction? - Answer-When 2 molecules are broken apart using a
water molecule
What is broken down by hydrolysis to form monosaccharides? - Answer-Carbohydrates
Benedict's Test for Reducing Sugars I - Answer-Add Benedict's reagent to a sample
and add it to a water bath which is boiling
, Benedict's Test for Reducing Sugars II - Answer-If the test is positive, it will form a
coloured precipitate, if it's negative, it'll stay blue
Benedict's Test for Non-Reducing Sugars I - Answer-Get a new sample of the test
solution, add DILUTE HCl and heat it in a water bath that has been brought to the boil
Benedict's Test for Non-Reducing Sugars II - Answer-Neutralize the solution with
sodium hydrogen carbonate
Benedict's Test for Non-Reducing Sugars III - Answer-Carry out the Benedict's test as
normal
Polysaccharide - Answer-Formed when more than 2 monosaccharides are joined
together by condensation reactions
Function of Starch - Answer-Energy store
What makes up starch? - Answer-Amylose and amylopectin
Structure of amylose - Answer-Long, unbranched chain of alpha-glucose; has a coiled
structure, making it compact and good for storage
Structure of amylopectin - Answer-Long, branched chain of alpha-glucose, side
branches allow the enzymes that break the molecule down to access the bonds easily,
meaning glucose can be released quickly
Features of starch - Answer-Insoluble in water, doesn't affect water potential so water
doesn't enter the cell, which would make them swell
The iodine test - Answer-Add iodine dissolved in potassium iodide solution to the test
sample. If starch is present, sample turns from brown/orange to dark blue/black colour
What do animals store glucose as? - Answer-Glycogen
What structure is glycogen similar to? - Answer-Amylopectin, except it has more side
branches, meaning stored glucose can released quickly, very compact
What is a major component of cell walls in plants? - Answer-Cellulose
Structure of cellulose - Answer-Long unbranched chains of beta glucose
What is formed when beta glucose molecules bond? - Answer-Straight cellulose chains
Advantage of cellulose chains - Answer-They're linked together by hydrogen bonds to
form microfibrils, providing structural support for cells
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