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NS 1011B: Introduction to Biology: Cells and Organisms

Spring '08 Syllabus

Week 3 Schedule

February 4 - 8

Homework This Week:

For Monday, Feb. 4
Read ch. 3.4-3.5, pages 50-53.

Answer the following questions (also available as a Word document in the class shared folder):

1. What does it mean for a molecule to be polar?
    
2. Draw a diagram of hydrogen bonds between water molecules.
    
3. Make a list of the properties of water.
    
4. For each property on your list, explain why that property is important for life.
    
5. Do you think life could evolve without water?
    
6. Name something in your own experience which you think is acidic, and something you think is basic.
    
7. Look at figure 3.16 on page 53.  Your cells release carbon dioxide into the blood as they break down food, and that carbon dioxide is released into the air at your lungs.  Where do you think the blood is more acidic: near your cells as it flows through the body, or in the lungs where carbon dioxide is being exchanged for oxygen?

For Wednesday, Feb. 6
Read ch. 3.6-3.7, pages 54-60.

Answer the following questions (also available as a Word document in the class shared folder):

1. Label the functional group(s) on the following molecules:
   a.      H H                b.        H  O-H
            | |                            |  |
        H-C-C-O-H                  H-N-C-C=O
            | |                               |  |
           H H                               H  O-H
    
2. What does the prefix "macro-" mean?  What are macromolecules?
    
3. Could the two molecules above be joined by dehydration synthesis?  If so, where would the new bond be?  If not, why not?
    
4. How many different amino acids are there?  What makes one different from another?
    
5. Why are chains of amino acids called polypeptides?
    
6. What are the four levels of protein structure?
    
7. Give at least three examples of different functions of proteins.

For Friday, Feb. 8
Read ch. 3.8, pages 61-62.

Answer the following questions (also available as a Word document in the class shared folder):

1. What are the three parts of a nucleotide?
    
2. What is the difference in the sugars found in DNA from those found in RNA?
    
3. Which nitrogenous bases are found in DNA? In RNA?
    
4. Which bases pair with each other?
    
5. How are base pairs held together?
    
6. What is the backbone of a DNA (or RNA) molecule?
    
7. How does DNA carry information?

For Monday, Feb. 11
Read ch. 3.9-3.10, pages 63-67.

Answer the following questions (also available as a Word document in the class shared folder):

1. What is the difference between simple and complex carbohydrates?
    
2. What is the difference in structure between starch and cellulose?
    
3. List three functions of carbohydrates, and give an example of a carbohydrate which has each function.
    
4. Both carbohydrates and fats are used to store energy.  What is the difference?
    
5. Give three examples of lipids and explain the function of each.
    
6. What is the difference between a saturated fatty acid and an unsaturated fatty acid?
    
7. Is cholesterol always "bad"?  Why or why not?

Vocabulary This Week:

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