Biology Concepts

Complete the following and place the Word document in the Homework Dropbox by Midnight Sunday.

1. There are three properties of water that are related to the temperature stabilizing effects.  Describe the significance of each. High boiling point allows for storage of large amounts of heat (important for storing the sun’s energy). It also releases heat when cooled as the hydrogen bonds form (allows for temperature regulation during cold seasons). Evaporative cooling is the third. This is what helps me cool down during these hot, summer days!

2. List the four major classes or groups of biologically important macromolecules and explain one reason for the importance of each. Proteins function in nutrition, signaling, immunity, and transportation. Carbohydrates are used as structural materials, transportable forms of energy, or storage forms of energy. Lipids are nonpolar hydrocarbons used as energy stores, structural materials, and signaling molecules. Nucleic acids include DNA and RNA - they are used in communicating heritable information.

3. Explain what denaturing of a protein is and what might cause it. Protein Denaturation is when the protein loses its secondary and tertiary structures. The protein then becomes nonfunctional. The protein may also break open and die. Denaturation can be caused by changes in pH and/or drastic temperature changes.

4. Explain the differences between DNA and RNA. DNA 1. Found in nucleus 2. Sugar is deoxyribose 3. Bases are A,T,C,G RNA 1. Found in nucleus and cytoplasm 2. Sugar is ribose. 3. Bases are A,U,C,G.[pic]