Download Organic Molecules in Plant Cells: Types, Functions, and Processes - Prof. unk and more Assignments Botany and Agronomy in PDF only on Docsity! Botany of Vascular Plants Homework #2 1. Read chapter 2 (The Molecular Composition of Plant cells) 2. Answer checkpoint questions (page 18) 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7 1. What are the four main types of organic molecules found in plant cells, and what are their basic structural sub-units and their principal functions? 1. Carbohydrates 1. Their subunits are Monosaccharides 2. They function in providing the primary source of chemical energy as well as providing some structural elements. 2. Lipids 1. Their subunits are fatty acids and glycerol 2. They function as a source of energy (stored for later use) and also have some structural material. 3. Proteins 1. Subunits are amino acids 2. Proteins function in supporting growth and maintenance, causing reactions, they function as messengers, provide structure, transport and store nutrients, and other structural and catalytic functions. 4. nucleic acids 1. subunits are Nucleotides 2. they function in carrying genetic information and are involved in protein synthesis. 2. By what processes are all four types of organic molecules split into their sub-units, and by what process can these sub-units be joined together? 1. They are split into their subunits by Hydrolysis, and join back together by dehydration synthesis 4. What is an enzyme, and why are enzymes important to cells? e Enzyme is a protein that creates chemical reactions. They are important because they speed up reactions at moderate temperatures, allowing for all the reactions necessary in the cell. 5. How is ATP different than ADP and why is ATP important to cells? e ATP contains 3 phosphate molecules, and thus has more energy that ADP which has 2. ATP is important because 6. What is the difference between primary and secondary metabolites? e A primary metabolite is directly involved in processes for growth, development, and reproduction, and is found in all plant cells. Whereas, secondary metabolites are not directly involved in these processes, but are still very ecologically important. Secondary Metabolites are not found in all plant cells. Something that a secondary metabolite might do is; deter predators or competitors, provide protection from radiation from the sun, and so on. 7. What are the main types of secondary metabolites, and what are some examples of each? e The main types of secondary metabolites are alkaloids, terpenoids, and phenolics. e Example of alkaloids are; Morphine, cocaine, coffee, nicotine and atropine. e Example of terpenoids are; Isoprene, essential oils, Taxol, and rubber (obtained from the fluid latex within Heva brasilienis). e Examples of Phenolics are; Flavonoids, Tannins, Lignin, and Salicylic acid. 3. Answer question 3, p. 37 - What is the principal difference between a saturated and an unsaturated fat or oil? e A saturated fat has no double bonds between carbon atoms, and instead each Carbon in the chain has covalent bonds to four other atoms.
