Unit 01

Biological
Molecules

Assignment 01
In this assignment, you will answer exam-style
questions which will test your knowledge and
understanding of the specification content
covered in Unit 1, Biological Molecules.

How does the assignment

meet the course
assessment criteria (AO)?
The questions provided in this assignment will assess the
following three assessment objectives (AOs):
AO1: Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of scientific ideas,
processes, techniques, and procedures

AO2: Apply knowledge and understanding of scientific ideas, processes,

techniques, and procedures:

in a theoretical context

in a practical context

when handling qualitative data

when handling quantitative data

AO3: Analyse, interpret, and evaluate scientific information, ideas,

and evidence, including in relation to issues, to:

make judgements and reach conclusions

develop and refine practical design and procedures.

How is my work marked?

Your tutor will:
Assess how well that you have answered each question
and how detailed your response has been

Assess the appropriateness of your response

Provide feedback and ideas on how you may improve

your response in order to maximise your marks
1.1 Assessment
Activity
What you have to do
You should complete all the questions.

Questions
Q1 The diagram below shows two forms of bond. One is ionic,
the other is covalent.

H H Na

C
H H Cl

a) Explain the similarities and differences between the two [4]

forms of bonding.

b) Draw the dot-cross diagram that shows the sharing of [2]

electrons in a water molecule, H2O.

c)
Explain why hydrogen bonding occurs in water but not in [3]
methane, CH4.

Total for question one: 9 marks

Q2 a) In the table below, identify the polymers and the monomers. [6]

Monomer or
Structure
Polymer?

i) NH2

ii)
OH

H H
O

OH H

HO OH

H OH

iii) OH

O
H
O
H
N
H
O
H H
N
H
O
H H
N
H
O
H H
N
H
O
H H
N
H
O
H H
N
H
O
H H
N
H

H H
N H

Question 2 continued on next page

 Monomer or
Structure
Polymer?

iv) O

H3C

OH

v) OH OH OH OH

H H H H H H H H
O O O O

OH H OH H OH H OH H

O O O

HO HO

H OH H OH H OH H OH

vi)

H 2C O O

CH3

HC O O

CH3

CH2 O O

CH3

b) Explain the reaction by which biological monomers join [3]

to form their polymers.

Question 2 continued on next page

 c) Below is a molecule of sucrose, a disaccharide formed from [4]
glucose and fructose. Draw the equation for the hydrolysis of
this to its constituents.

CH2OH

CH2OH

H H
O O

OH H

HO
O

HO CH2OH

H OH HO

Total for question two: 13 marks

Q3 Carbohydrates are large molecules formed from

smaller subunits.

a) What is the scientific name for the monomers [1]

of carbohydrates?

b) Give TWO examples of these monomers. [2]

c) The diagram below shows the disaccharide, lactose. [4]

Explain the process by which this forms, including the name
of the bond that that holds them together.

CH 2OH HOH 2C

HO O
O

O
OH
OH

OH

OH
OH

Total for question three: 7 marks

 Q4 Monosaccharides can be hexose or pentose. Identify the [3]
three monosaccharides below as hexose or pentose,
explaining your reasoning.

Monosaccharide
CH2OH CH2OH
O O O
CH2OH OH
H H HO OH
H H
HO
OH H OH H
CH2OH
HO OH H H

H OH OH H OH

Glucose Fructose Galactose

Total for question four: 3 marks

Q5 Benedict’s reagent is used as a test for sugars.

a) Explain why Benedict’s reagent turns red for a positive result [3]

b) Explain how both of these saccharides could give a positive [4]

result in the benedict’s test
Monosaccharide
CH2OH CH2OH CH2OH
O O O
O O
CH2OH OH
Sucrose
H H CHHO
2OH OH
H H
(Glucose – Fructose) HO
OH H OH OH OH
H
CH2OH
HO OH H H
OH O
CH2OH
H OH OH H OH
OH OH CH2OH
O

Sucrose Galactose
CH2OH
Glucose Fructose
(Glucose – Fructose)
OH
CH2OH CH2OH OH O

O Total for question five:O7 marks

OH O
OH OH
Lactose
O
(Galactose – Glucose) OH OH CH2OH C
Q6 Phospholipids and triglycerides are two examples of lipids.

a) Draw the general formulae for a triglyceride [2]

b) Give TWO differences between triglycerides [2]

and phospholipids

c) Identify THREE uses of lipids in animals [3]

Total for question six: 7 marks

Q7 This question is about the formation of triglycerides.

a) The diagram below shows the components of a specific

fatty acid.

H2C OH
H3C OH

O
HC OH

H 2C OH H 3C OH

H3C OH

i) What are the FOUR components of a triglyceride? [2]

ii) How many condensation reactions are needed to form [1]

a triglyceride?
 iii) Draw the structure of the triglyceride that results [3]
from the components in the diagram

iv) What is the name of the bond that forms [1]

Total for question seven: 7 marks

Q8 Fatty acids can be both saturated and unsaturated

a) Explain what this means in terms of their structure [2]

b) Draw TWO carbon chain structures that demonstrate [4]

saturation and unsaturation

Total for question eight: 6 marks

Q9 Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins.

Their general structure is shown below:

O
H

N H C
H
C O

H
R

a) Identify the THREE main groups of an amino acid [3]

b) Explain the significance of the R group. [2]

c) The molecular formula for glycine is C2H5NO2

i) What is its R group? [1]

 ii) Draw the full displayed formula for glycine [2]

Total for question nine: 8 marks

Q10 The diagram below shows a polypeptide molecule.

H
H
R H
N H
H C N H
C C N
H C C O
R C H
O R
O
O

a) How many amino acids are there in this molecule? [1]

b) Draw the structure of the amino acids, explain the reaction [4]
by which they join and identify other products of this reaction.

Total for question ten: 5 marks

Q11 It is possible to use a chemical test to detect the presence

of protein in a sample.

a)
Name the standard chemical test used [1]

b) Explain the process for using this test on a sample [3]

Total for question eleven: 4 marks

Q12 An early model describing the action of enzymes used the
lock and key hypothesis.

a) Explain this lock and key model of enzyme action [2]

b) This has more recently been replaced with another model,

induced fit.

i) Describe the induced fit model of enzyme action

[2]
ii) Why is induced fit a more accurate reflection of enzyme
action than the lock and key model? [3]

Total for question twelve: 7 marks

Q13 Enzymes are delicate biological molecules and are susceptible to

environmental changes. The graphs below show the impact of
changing two different variables in an enzyme-catalysed reaction.
Rate of reaction

Rate of reaction

A B

a)
Using the shape of the graphs, suggest which variables are [2]
impacting on the rate of the enzyme-catalysed reaction in
each case.

b)
Describe how the shapes of these two graphs are created. [6]

Total for question thirteen: 8 marks

Q14 Nucleic acids are built up from monomers called nucleotides.
The diagram below shows an example of one of these nucleotides.

Adenine
C
O

O O
C
P
C
C
O OH

HO

a) i) Name the THREE colour-coded parts of a nucleotide [3]

ii) What is the name of the bond that forms between [3]
two nucleotides? Draw a second nucleotide to show this.

iii) What is the main difference in the nucleotides of DNA [2]

and RNA?

Total for question fourteen: 8 marks

Q15 In order to grow and repair, the cells of organisms are constantly
dividing and replication. With that DNA must replicate too since
each cell has a full copy of the individual’s DNA.

a)
Explain the process by which DNA replicates within the cells [6]
of an organism

b)
Explain why this process is referred to as semi-conservative. [2]

Total for question fifteen: 8 marks

Q16 Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is crucial in an organism’s storage
of and access to energy.

a) Draw the general structure of ATP identifying the THREE [5]

distinct parts

b) Why is ATP referred to as ‘an immediate energy source’? [2]

c) Explain the biochemical reaction by which ATP releases energy. [4]

Total for question sixteen: 11 marks

Q17 The hydrogen bonding in water is a critical characteristic that gives

water many of its life-sustaining properties.

a) Explain what hydrogen bonding is, using a diagram to [3]

demonstrate this visually.

b) Demonstrate the impact of hydrogen bonding on water’s [4]

properties as a substance using TWO examples

Total for question seventeen: 7 marks

Total: 125 marks

END OF ASSIGNMENT

Submitting your assignment

On completion of your work, you will need to submit your
work to your tutor using the Learning Management System.
From here you will receive feedback from your tutor and any
suggestions on how to make further progress.