Question

directions: answer the following questions. 1. suppose you are going to draw models of the four main biomolecules. how would you describe the similarities between the models? 2. which would probably have the greatest effect on a proteins function -- a change to the primary, secondary, or tertiary structure? explain your answer. 3. describe the relationship between carbon, amino acids, and proteins. 4. is it more difficult for your body to break down simple or complex carbohydrates? explain. 5. compare and contrast rna and dna in terms of structure and nitrogenous bases.

Explanation:

1. All four main biomolecules (carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids) are organic compounds, so they all contain carbon atoms. They are also composed of a combination of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms, with proteins and nucleic acids also containing nitrogen.
2. A change to the primary structure would probably have the greatest effect. The primary structure is the linear sequence of amino - acids in a protein. It determines the secondary and tertiary structures through interactions like hydrogen - bonding and folding patterns. A change in the primary sequence can alter the entire shape and function of the protein.
3. Carbon is a key element in amino - acids. Amino - acids are the building blocks of proteins. Proteins are long chains of amino - acids linked by peptide bonds, and each amino - acid contains a central carbon atom bonded to an amino group, a carboxyl group, a hydrogen atom, and a variable R - group.
4. Complex carbohydrates are more difficult to break down. Simple carbohydrates are single - sugar units or small chains of sugars that can be quickly digested. Complex carbohydrates are long chains of sugars and require more time and more digestive enzymes to be broken down into simple sugars for absorption.
5. Structure: DNA is double - stranded, while RNA is usually single - stranded. Nitrogenous bases: DNA contains adenine (A), thymine (T), cytosine (C), and guanine (G). RNA contains adenine (A), uracil (U), cytosine (C), and guanine (G).

Answer:

1. All contain carbon, and a combination of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen (with proteins and nucleic acids also having nitrogen).
2. A change to the primary structure. It determines secondary and tertiary structures and thus the protein's function.
3. Carbon is in amino - acids, which are the building blocks of proteins.
4. Complex carbohydrates. They are long - chain sugars requiring more digestion.
5. Structure: DNA is double - stranded, RNA is single - stranded. Bases: DNA has T, RNA has U instead.