General Biochemistry Questions

Answer in complete sentences on a separate sheet of paper.

1. What is an organic compound?
2. Compare and contrast monomers and polymers.
3. Compare and contrast dehydration synthesis and hydrolysis.
4. Why can carbon make so many different compounds?
5. Draw the structural diagram for methane (CH₄) and acetylene (C₂H₂)
6. Draw the structures for each of these functional groups:
   • hydroxyl
   • carbonyl
   • carboxyl
   • amino
   • sulfhydryl
   • phosphate
7. Ammonia (NH₃) is a common compound found in many living organisms or their by-products. In 1913, a German chemist, Fritz Haber, discovered a way to make ammonia from inorganic, atmospheric nitrogen (N₂) and hydrogen (H₂) gas. Why would this be further bad news for people who might have still believed in vitalism?