TOPIC 1: MOLECULE OF LIFE

STRUCTURED QUESTIONS

1. FIGURE 1 shows the structural formula of two organic molecules P and Q.

a) Name the molecules P and Q. [2 marks]

b) Molecules P and Q are combined to form a new compound. Name the type of chemical reaction involved and its end product.
[2 marks]
c) (i) Show how molecules P and Q combined to form compound in b. [2 marks]
(ii) Circle the atoms that are removed during the formation of the compound as in b. [2 marks]
d) Lipid and carbohydrates function as energy-storage molecules. Lipids store more energy per gram compared to carbohydrates.
Why? [1 mark]
e) State ONE other function of fats in living organisms. [1 mark]

2. FIGURE 2 shows the structure of three amino acids.

a) Name the groups labeled A, B and C. [3 marks]

b) Show how valine and leucine combine to form a peptide. [3 marks]
c) State TWO types of chemical bonds that maintain the configuration of globular protein. [2 marks]
d) State TWO factors that can change the configuration of globular protein. [2 marks]

3. FIGURE 3 shows a chart to identify five different types of carbohydrate.

a) (i) Name the G, H and I molecules. [3 marks]

(ii) List THREE common properties to all monosaccharide and disaccharides. [3 marks]
b) State TWO importance of glucose. [2 marks]
c) Give TWO significance of hydrogen bonding in water molecules. [2 marks]
d)
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4. FIGURE 4 shows a section of a DNA molecule.

FIGURE 4
a) Name P, Q and R. [3 marks]
b) What is the base sequence for 3’→ 5’ strand? [1 mark]
c) Give TWO structural differences between a DNA molecule and a RNA molecule. [2 marks]
d) (i) The table below shows the percentage composition of bases in the DNA of cattle and fish. Complete the table. [2 marks]
Organism Adenine Cytosine Guanine Thymine
Cattle 29 21
Fish 33 33

(ii) Explain your answer in (d)(i). [2 marks]

5. FIGURE 5 shows a structural formula for a polypeptide molecule.

FIGURE 5
a) State the name and the number of monomers that form the polypeptide above. [2 marks]
b) State the name of the bond formed in the synthesis of the polypeptide above. Draw arrows in FIGURE 5 to show the bonds
that you named. [2 marks]
c) State the name of the reaction involved in the following processes:
(i) Adding one or more monomer to the polypeptide above. [1 mark]
(ii) Eliminating one monomer from the polypeptide above. [1 mark]

d) Polypeptide structure can be folded specially to form an enzyme. State TWO types of bond which maintain the configuration
of an enzyme. [2 marks]

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6. FIGURE 6 shows two levels of protein organization.

FIGURE 6
a) Determine the structure level of Y and Z proteins. [2 marks]
b) Name the type of bonds labeled V and W. [2 marks]
c) Hemoglobin is an example for Z, give TWO types of polypeptide chains that made up this protein. [2 marks]
d) Explain how heating may affect the tertiary structure of a protein. [2 marks]

7. FIGURE 7 shows two molecules of amino acids.

FIGURE 7
a) Draw the structure as a result the combination of the two molecules. [2 marks]
b) Name the chemical reaction involved and the type of bond formed during the formation of dipeptide. [2 marks]
c) What is R in the above figure? [1 mark]

8. a) FIGURE 8A shows a polypeptide consisting of 15 amino acids.

FIGURE 8A
i. Name the bond between the amino acids in the polypeptide chain. [1 mark]
ii. What is group X? [1 mark]
iii. Which level of protein structure is shown by the polypeptide? Give a reason for your answer. [2 marks]
iv. Give an example of a protein that has the same structural level as the protein FIGURE 8A. [1 mark]

(b) FIGURE 8B represents a molecule of glucose.

FIGURE 8B
i. What type of glucose is represented in FIGURE 8B? [1 mark]
ii. Draw a disaccharide molecule formed from the above glucose molecule. Name the disaccharide. [3 marks]
iii. Name a storage polysaccharide found in human body. [1 mark]
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9. FIGURE 9 shows the structures of two types of polysaccharide. Polysaccharide A is a component of starch and polysaccharide B is
a component of plant cell wall.

FIGURE 9
a) Name polysaccharides A and B. [2 marks]
b) State the specific names of the bonds labeled as P, Q and R. [3 marks]
c) Give ONE function of polysaccharide B. [1 mark]
d) Why are human unable to digest polysaccharide B? [1 mark]
e) Hydrolysis of polysaccharide A produces disaccharide C. What is disaccharide C? [1 mark]
f) Why is polysaccharide A suitable as storage material? [2 marks]

10 a) (i) Draw and label the structure of a triglyceride molecule. [3 marks]

(ii) How many molecules of water are lost in the formation of triglyceride molecule? [1 mark]
b) (i) Draw and label the bond formed when two molecules of water are joined. [2 marks]
(ii) State TWO properties of water. [2 marks]
(iii) Why must water absorb relatively large quantity of heat in order to change its temperature? [1 mark]

11. a) Draw a structure of β–glucose. [2 marks]

b) State TWO functions of glucose. [2 marks]
c) Identify the main component of triglyceride. [1 mark]
d) Cold-blooded animals usually have higher proportions of unsaturated fatty acids compared warm-blooded animals. Why?
[2 marks]

12. FIGURE 10 shows the structure of a polynucleotide molecule.

FIGURE 10
a) What are represented by P and S? [2 marks]
b) (i) Name the polynucleotide molecule in FIGURE 10. [1 mark]
(ii) State TWO types of polynucleotide molecules in (b) and their functions. [4 marks]
c) Name the bond E. [1 mark]
d) Name the bond that binds S to the nitrogenous base. [1 mark]
e) Name the type of nitrogen base represented by F. [1 mark]

13. FIGURE 11 shows a model of haemoglobin.

FIGURE 11

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 a) (i) Name the monomer of haemoglobin. [1 mark]
(ii) Draw and label a structural formula of the monomer in (a)(i). [2 marks]
(iii) Name the bond that formed between the two monomers. [1 mark]
b) (i) State the level of structure of haemoglobin. Give a reason for your answer. [2 marks]
(ii) State TWO intramolecular bonds that stabilize the structure. [2 marks]
c) Why does a denatured protein no longer function? [2 marks]

14. FIGURE A shows a structure of polysaccharide found in a plant cell.

a) (i) Name the bond labeled Z. [1 mark]

(ii) Draw and label the structure formed from the condensation of 2 monomers of Polysaccharide A. [3 marks]
(iii) State the function of polysaccharide A in plant cells. Give a reason. [2 marks]
(iv) State the monomer of cellulose and its role in plants. [2 marks]
b) Why do animal cells store energy in the form of glycogen and not glucose? [2 marks]

15. a) FIGURE 13 shows different types of polysaccharides.

FIGURE 13A
(i) Name polysaccharide B. [1 mark]
(ii) State the monomer that forms:-
a) Cellulose b) Amylose [2 marks]
(iii) Why is molecule A suitable as storage material? [2 marks]
b) FIGURE 13B shows the general structure of an amino acid.

FIGURE 13B
(i) Name the functional groups D and E. [2 marks]
(ii) List the FOUR groups of amino acids based on their R groups. [2 marks]
(iii) State ONE factor that can change the structure of protein. [1 mark]

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16. a) FIGURE 14 shows three water molecules attracted to one another.

FIGURE 14
(i) Name the bond labeled A. [1 mark]
(ii) In FIGURE 14, draw the symbol of polarity for water molecule B. [1 mark]
(iii) Why must water absorb relatively large quantity of heat in order to change its temperature? [1 mark]
(iv) State ONE property of water based on the question in 14 (a) (iii) [1 mark]

b) FIGURE 14B shows a disaccharide molecule.

FIGURE 14B
(i) Name the bond labeled Z. [1 mark]
(ii) Identify the monomer for the disaccharide molecule shown in FIGURE 14B. [1 mark]
(iii) What is the reaction involved in the formation of the disaccharide molecule shown in FIGURE 14B? [1 mark]

c) FIGURE 14C shows the structure of molecule C.

FIGURE 14C
(i) Name the type of lipid for molecule C. [1 mark]
(ii) Name the chemical reaction and bond labeled D formed in the formation of molecule C. [2 marks]

17. a) FIGURE 15A shows a structural formula of an amino acid.

FIGURE 15A
i) Identify the TWO functional groups of this amino acid. [2 marks]
ii) Draw the formation of a dipeptide molecule from the amino acid shown in FIGURE 4. [4 marks]

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b) FIGURE 15B shows a structure of a nucleic acid.

FIGURE 15B
i) Name bond Y that forms the backbone for this nucleic acid. [1 mark]
ii) What is the type of nucleic acid shown in FIGURE 15B? [1 mark]
iii) Draw and label a monomer for the nucleic acid shown in FIGURE 15B. [2 marks]

18. a) FIGURE 16A shows part of the structure of a polysaccharide.

FIGURE 16A
(i) Identify the type of polysaccharide shown in FIGURE 16A. [1 mark]
(ii) Give TWO characteristics of this polysaccharide. [2 marks]
(iii) List TWO structural differences between this polysaccharide and glycogen. [2 marks]

b) FIGURE 16B shows different structural levels of a polymer.

FIGURE 16B
(i) Name the basic unit of polymer in FIGURE 16B. [1 mark]
(ii) What is the level of structure H? [1 mark]
(iii) How structure G is formed from structure F? [1 mark]
(iv) Name TWO types of interactions involve in the formation of structure H. [2 marks]

19. a) FIGURE 17A shows a situation when compound XY dissolves in water.

FIGURE 17A

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 (i) Name the bond that links hydrogen atoms and oxygen atoms within the water molecule. [1 mark]
(ii) State the property of water shown in FIGURE 16A. [1 mark]
(iii) Give ONE example of compound XY. What is the characteristic that allows it to dissolve in water? [2 marks]
(iv) What is the specific term to describe dissolved ions surrounded by water molecules? [1 mark]

b) FIGURE 17B shows the structural formula for compound A.

FIGURE 17B
(i) Identify compound A. [1 mark]
(ii) Name the process that enables splitting of this compound into its components. [1 mark]
(iii) What are the products in 19(b)(ii)? [1 mark]
(iv) Which structure in compound A that causes it to be insoluble in water? What is its characteristic? [2 marks]

20. a) FIGURE 18A shows the structure of nitrogenous bases found in nucleic acid.

FIGURE 18A
(i) Name group I and II. [1 mark]
(ii) Based on what structure are they grouped? [1 mark]
(iii) Identify X and Y. [1 mark]
(iv) Specify the bond that link X and Y. [1 mark]
(v) In a particular DNA molecule that consists of 2,000 bases, 30% are adenine. What is the number of X found in this DNA
molecule? [1 mark]

b) FIGURE 18B shows a monomer of a molecule.

FIGURE 18B
(i) Name the polymer formed from the condensation of the monomers as in FIGURE 17B. [1 mark]
(ii) What are the TWO functional groups that form the monomer? [2 marks]
(iii) Why egg white hardens when heated? [2 marks]

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21. FIGURE 19 shows a molecule of carbohydrate.

FIGURE 19
a) Identify the molecule shown in FIGURE 19. [1 mark]
b) In which class does this molecular structure belongs to? [1 mark]
c) Give TWO characteristics of the above molecular structure. [2 marks]
d) Identify the monomer for the molecular structure in FIGURE 19. [1 mark]
e) Show the breakdown for the molecular structure in FIGURE 19. [3 marks]
f) The monomers of the molecular structure shown in FIGURE 19 can join together to form an unbranched polysaccharide.
Identify this polysaccharide. [1 mark]
g) Why is the polysaccharide stated in 20(f) suitable as food storage? [1 mark]

22. a) FIGURE 20A shows a molecular structure formed when two monomers are joined together.

FIGURE 20A
(i) Identify the molecular structure in FIGURE 20A. [1 mark]
(ii) What is bond X? Draw bond X. [2 marks]
(iii) The monomers of the above molecule undergo polymerization to form amylase. State the level of protein structure for a
functional amylase. [1 mark]
(iv) A person does not die from high fever even though his body temperature exceeds 40 oC. Based on the properties of enzyme,
give ONE reason for this situation. [1 mark]

b) FIGURE 20B shows a part of nucleic acid.

FIGURE 20B
(i) What is the type of nucleic acid shown in FIGURE 20B? [1 mark]
(ii) Name the bond labeled A. [1 mark]
(iii) How many bonds are formed between Adenine and Thymine? [1 mark]
(iv) Name and draw the pentose sugar for the nucleic acid shown in FIGURE 20B. [2 marks]

23. FIGURE 21 shows the structure of a macromolecule that is made of two strands of polymer.

(a) Identify the type of polymer and describe its arrangement. [2 marks]
(b) Explain why the molecule has the same amount of purines and pyrimidines. [4 marks]

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24. FIGURE 22 shows parts of cellulose, the major component of cell walls in plants.

(a) Cellulose is an important raw material in the production of cloth and cellophane because of its tensile strength. Explain
briefly how cellulose provides the strength. [3 marks]
(b) Figure 22.2 shows the structure of the amino acids alanine and cysteine.

(i) Draw a dipeptide based on structures in Figure shown above. [2 marks]

(ii) Name the bond formed between the two amino acids [1 mark]
ESSAY

1. (a) Compare globular protein and fibrous protein and give an example for each. [10 marks]
(b) Differentiate between RNA and DNA. [10 marks]

2. (a) With the aid of a diagram, briefly explain a condensation reaction between two amino acids. [5 marks]
(b) Describe the structure of haemoglobin. [5 marks]
(c) With the aid of diagram, describe the structure of DNA. [10 marks]

3. (a) Plants and animals store sugars in the form of polysaccharides. Compare the forms of storage polysaccharides in plants and
animals. [10 marks]
(b) Fat is also known as triacylglycerol or triglycerides. With the aid of diagram, describe the formation and breakdown of
triglyceride. [10 marks]

4. (a) With the aid of labeled diagram, describe the structure of triglyceride. Explain how the structure is formed. [10 marks]
(b) With the aid of a labeled diagram, describe the structure of double helix DNA. [10 marks]

5. (a) Explain five (5) properties of water in relation to hydrogen bonds that make it so vital to all living organisms. [10 marks]
(b) Compare the structure and function between DNA and RNA. [10 marks]

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