Compare major biomolecule groups

Supplied materials

• All measurements and observations below are supplied classroom examples. They are not data from actual learners or a claim about a particular real site.
• Paper or a browser document for a labeled drawing, table or explanation.
• Worked problem inputs: A cell contains DNA, an enzyme and phospholipids. Connect molecular groups to three different functions.
• Assessment case 1: A model cell loses its starch store but retains DNA and membranes. What is directly affected? Which inference or prediction is best supported?
• Assessment case 2: Which scientific label fits the specifically described step or feature? Supplied case: Membrane phospholipid.
• Assessment case 3: Which scientific label fits the specifically described step or feature? Supplied case: Enzyme built from amino acids.
• Assessment case 4: Which scientific label fits the specifically described step or feature? Supplied case: DNA contains genetic sequence.
• Assessment case 5: Which scientific label fits the specifically described step or feature? Supplied case: Cellulose contains sugar-derived repeating units.
• Assessment case 6: A model has RNA carrying sequence information and an enzyme catalyzing a reaction. What distinction fits? Which inference or prediction is best supported?

Learn the idea

Biological molecules have varied functions. Proteins are amino-acid polymers; nucleic acids store and express sequence information. Lipids and carbohydrates are chemically diverse, so no single job describes every member.

Carbohydrate means sugars and related structural or energy molecules. Lipid means group including fats and membrane components. Protein means amino-acid polymer with varied functions. Nucleic acid means DNA or RNA sequence-bearing molecule.

For the supplied mechanism problem, A cell contains DNA, an enzyme and phospholipids. Connect molecular groups to three different functions. DNA stores sequence information; the protein enzyme can catalyze a reaction; phospholipids contribute to membrane structure. No one group replaces every role of the others.

1. Read the supplied problem and mark the structures, processes or quantities named: A cell contains DNA, an enzyme and phospholipids. Connect molecular groups to three different functions.
2. Draw the relevant boundary, pathway or comparison and label it using the scientific ideas above.
3. Write a causal explanation or calculation, showing how each observation supports the result.
4. Compare your reasoning with the worked solution; name a condition that would change or limit the inference.

Check your reasoning

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Take it further

New task: draw DNA, a membrane phospholipid and an enzyme in different functional roles. Expected: sequence information, membrane structure and catalysis respectively; do not replace all three roles with a generic energy label.

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