Biomolecules Activity #1

What is a monomer? A polymer?

A monomer is a building block of polymers. A polymer is a molecule composed of many

monomers;makes up macromolecules.

What are the 4 major biomolecules of life?

Carbohydrates, lipids,proteins, and nucleic acids.

For each biomolecule, complete the chart below:

Biomolecule Protein Carbohydrate Lipid Nucleic Acid

Monomer amino acids monosaccharid glycerol and nucleotides

es fatty acids

essential quick energy long term store and

growth,develop storage energy transmit genetic
Function
-ment and structure storage,act of information,pro
repairment of component of tein synthesis.
body tissues cell membrane,
provides
insulation
enzymes,antibo sugar and fat,oils and DNA, RNA
dies and starches waxes
Examples
hemoglobin

  Enzymes

1. What is a catalyst?  A catalyst is a substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without
itself undergoing any permanent chemical change.
2. How does it do its job? 

by providing an alternative reaction pathway for the breaking and remaking of bonds.

3. Is it used up or can it be reused over and over again?

catalysts are reusable because they drive chemical reactions without being consumed

4. What is an enzyme? What type of biomolecule is it?

proteins that speed up reactions by lowering the activation energy for chemical
reactions,catalyst

5. What are the monomers of enzymes?

amino acids

6. Explain the Lock and Key model. Use a labeled drawing to support your explanation.

Just like a key and lock, the key is specially

designed to fit one lock. An enzyme is also specifically made to attach to a specific
substrate. ABove you can see that an enzyme has “fit” with a substrate, creating an
enzyme substrate complex.

7. What determines which reaction an enzyme will work on?

The functioning of the enzyme is determined by the shape of the protein.

8. What can affect the rates/efficiency of an enzyme? Explain how the factors would affect the
enzyme.
Temperatures and PH levels can /will denature the enzyme. If the temperature is too cold or too
hot it could cause the enzyme to slow down or speed up. Causing it to not do its job. If the ph
level is too acidic or too far on the base side, it will denature the enzyme and also cause it to not
fulfill its duty.