UNIVERSITI TUNKU ABDUL RAHMAN

CENTRE FOR FOUNDATION STUDIES

FOUNDATION IN SCIENCE
MAY 2017

FHSB1214
BIOLOGY I

TUTORIAL 2
BASIC MOLECULES OF CELLS II

(Source: Final Examination, Apr 2017)

Q1. (a) Figure 1.1 shows a tripeptide formed from three amino acids.

Figure 1.1

Answer the following questions based on Figure 1.1.

(i) Identify P and Q. (2 marks)

(ii) Name the part in the structure that differs from one amino acid to another.
(1 mark)

(iii) Identify the protein structure shown in Figure 1.1 and justify your answer.
(2 marks)

1
(b) Figure 1.2 shows part of a nucleic acid molecule.

Figure 1.2

Answer the following questions based on Figure 1.2.

(i) Identify the type of nucleic acid and justify your answer. (2 marks)

(ii) Briefly explain how two strands of the molecules can be joined together to form
the nucleic acid molecule shown in Figure 1.2. (4 marks)

(iii) If the percentage of thymine is 24% in the nucleic acid, state the percentage of
uracil in the same molecule. (1 mark)

(Source: Final Examination, Apr 2012 & Apr 2016, truncated)

Q2. Figure 2.1 shows the molecular formula of an organic compound, which is the
monomer of one of the four biological molecules.

Figure 2.1

2
Based on Figure 2.1, answer the following questions.

(a) Name the monomer. (1 mark)

(b) The monomer has an amino group and a carboxyl group. Label these two
groups. (2 marks)

(c) Draw and show how two monomers of Figure 2.1 link to form a product
called A. Include the following in your answer. (4 marks)
 Indicate and name the bond linking the monomers
 Name the product A
 Name the reaction

(d) David learnt that when an egg was fried, the clear egg white surrounding the
yolk became solid, white and opaque. He claimed that peptide bonds linking
the amino acid monomers were broken during this process. With reference to
the bonds or interactions and levels of protein structure involved, explain why
you do not agree with David. (3 marks)

3
(Source: Final examination, Sept 2011 & Sept 2012, truncated)
Q3. (a) Figure 3.1 shows the molecular structure of a triglyceride and Figure 3.2
shows the molecular structure of phosphatidylcholine, a type of phospholipid.

Figure 3.1 Figure 3.2

In the following table, compare the structures of phospholipid and triglyceride

molecules. (2 marks)

Triglyceride Phospholipid
Hydrophobicity/
hydrophilicity
No of fatty acids per
molecule

(b) There are two types of fats that could be found in the food, which are saturated
and unsaturated fats. Identify the structural differences between saturated and
unsaturated fats. (4 marks)

Structural properties Saturated fats Unsaturated fats

Bonding among the fatty acids

Kinks (presence / absence)

4
(Source: Final examination, Sept 2016,)
Q4. Figure 4.1 illustrates two types of liquid known as lipids P and Q that are commonly
found in the cell membrane because of the common chemical characteristic that both
of them share.

Figure 4.1

Answer the following questions based on Figure 4.1.

(a) State the common chemical characteristic and the structural feature that give
rise to this characteristic. (2 marks)

(b) Explain how lipid Q forms the cell membrane. (3 marks)