Name: Niel Vincent Ramos Alingasa Module Number: 2

Subkject: BIO105 3A Date of Submission:

BIOCHEMISTRY OF THE CELL

Lesson 2 Water, the Aqueous Environment

Activity
Analysis 1. What did you understand about the structure of the water
molecule?
 I understand that in order to have a structure of water
molecule you need two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen
atom. The three atoms form an angle, which is approximately
104.5 degrees. Each hydrogen atoms center is approximately
0.0457 nm away from the center of the oxygen atom.
2. Do you agree that water is the universal solvent? Why?
 Yes, because it dissolves more substances than any others
liquid. It is one of the most important things on which all living
things rely.
3. is water the essential molecule to support cellular processes?
Why?
 Yes, since without water, cell membranes would be unable to
maintain adequate membrane structure, which would allow for
the proper separation of dangerous molecules from essential
ones.
4. Will a cell survive without water? What do you think is the role of
the water to cellular activities?
 No, because the cells will shrink without enough water, water
also plays an important structural role in biology visually, water
fills the cells and gives the shape and structure. Water in many
cells (including the cells that make up the human body)
creates pressure that opposes external forces, much like filling
a balloon with air. But even some plants, which can maintain
their cellular structure without water, need water to survive.
Water keeps everything in the cell in its correct shape at the
molecular level. It is also one of the most important roles of
water, as shape is important to biochemical processes.
Application 1. describe the structure of the water molecules.
 A water molecule consists of a 2 hydrogen and 1 oxygen atom
H2O. electrons are shared through polar covalent bonding
between the atoms.
2. Briefly discuss the importance of water to cellular activities
 Water amazing ability to dissolve a wide variety of molecules
has earned it the name “universal solvent”, and it is this ability
that makes water such a valuable life force. At the biological
level, water acts as a solvent that helps cells transport and use
substances such as oxygen or nutrients.
3. How do the different properties of water support life?
 There 5 main properties of water that include cohesion,
adhesion, capillary action, surface tension the ability to
dissolve many substances, and high specific heat. Importantly,
this binding causes water molecules to stick together in a
property called cohesion. The binding of water molecules
helps the plant to absorb water at the roots. Cohesion also
contributes to the high boiling point of water, which helps
animals regulate body temperature. Adhesion is the attractive
force of molecules of the same type as molecules of another
type, and it can be quite strong for water, especially with other
molecules that carry a positive or negative charge. For
 example, adhesion allows water to “climb” upward through thin
glass tubes (called capillary tubes) placed in a breaker of
water the upward movement against gravity, known as
capillary action, depends on the forces of attraction between
the water molecules and the glass wall of the tube (adhesion),
as well as interactions between the water molecules. The
surface tension of water helps organisms to walk on the
surface of the water. It also helps water move up the xylem
tissue of higher plants without breaking.

Lesson 2 Biomolecules and their properties

Activity Biomolecules Meal Components

Breakfast Lunch Supper

Carbohydrate
Protein
Lipids
Nucleic acids

Analysis 1. Do you think each meal menus contains the four biomolecules?
 ?
2. Which of the components of your meal provide you energy?
 ?
3. Which of the components participates in tissue repair and growth?
 ?
4. which of the components provide you with fats? Are fats safe for
consumption?
 Lipids: Yes, because a small amount of fat is an essential part
of a healthy, balanced diet. Fats are a source of essential fatty
acids that the body cannot produce on its own. Fats help the
body absorb vitamin A, vitamin D, and vitamin E. these
vitamins are fat-soluble, which means they can only absorbs
using fat.

Application 1. Which of the biomolecules chiefly provide you with energy?

 Fats (lipids), fats are the body’s main long-term energy storage
molecule.
2. Which of the biomolecules are involved in the transmission of
genes from one generation to another generation?
 DNA, it acts like genetic material. It is responsible for
transferring characters from generation to generation.
3. Do proteins provide energy? Explain?
 Yes, because one gram of protein contains four calories-the
same amount as one gram of carbs, but as mentioned, it’s not
used as easily by the body as a source of fuel. In a typical day,
protein provides about 5% of daily energy. During intense
activity, if glycogen stores are depleted, protein can provide up
to 15% of energy.
4. How does each biomolecule differ from one another?
 Proteins are polymers of amino acids. Nitrogenous amino
acids are part of the amino group attached to the a-carbon
atom. Nucleic acids contain nitrogen in nitrogenous bases,
which are components of nucleotides. Carbohydrates and
lipids are made up of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen.