GSU1132 Life Sciences – Lesson 1 Guide

LESSON 1 GUIDE
Molecules of Life

INTRODUCTION

The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are
many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. (1 Corinthians 12:12)

When we stop and think about the most amazing machines man has built, perhaps
grand achievements like particle accelerators or medical imaging devices come to mind.
Or we might marvel at everyday technology: our cell phones or MP3 players, our GPS
devices or flat screen TVs. Yet, in truth, all of these man-made technologies pale in
comparison to the miraculous complexity of even the smallest living organism.
Consider that in our own bodies, every bite of food we take triggers hundreds of
reactions, each with the express purpose of breaking down these raw materials and
transforming them into the energy and nutrients our bodies need to function. Like a
fine-tuned machine, all the components of the body are able to work together to
accomplish their common goal. And, the efficiency with which our body is able to carry
out these reactions is astounding. (Indeed, it is understandable that Paul would offer the
human body as a model of the members of the church of Christ working together.)
In this lesson, we will examine the nuts and bolts of this machine—the atoms in
our bodies that join together to form the molecules that our bodies use to function and
develop. As we begin our lesson, we’ll first review the nature of science itself to brush
up on our understanding of such concepts as theories, laws, and experiments. Then,
we’ll study the building blocks of life, examining at atoms and bonding, and moving onto
the vitamins, minerals, and macromolecules—like carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids—
that our bodies need daily to function.

READING REQUIREMENTS
T&H: pp. 1-12; 161-166; 197-205; 219-221; 468-483
GSU1132 Life Sciences – Lesson 1 Guide

READING QUESTIONS
The following Reading Questions are designed to guide you in your reading of the
textbook in order to best prepare you for your exam. All of your answers should
demonstrate your own understanding of the material. You will need to submit your
completed guide to the Assignments section at the end of the week.

1. The process of science is based on what fundamental assumption?

That after you observe something to learn how it works you can apply rules to it that
seem to fit. Then when new situations arise you can apply those general rules and expect
them to work.
2. What is the difference between observations and experiments?
Observation involves observing nature without manipulation and experimentation
involves manipulating some aspect of nature and observing the outcome.
3. What is the difference between a law and a theory?
Generally, a theory can refer to a fleshed out hypothesis but may not be able to be
proven with strait facts, something only believed to be true. Law on the other had refers
to statements that have met many tests and are proven although. Both theories and laws
can changed based on new observations.
4. Why is the Scientific Method considered to be cyclical?
Because continued observation will lead to more theories and more observations.
5. What is an element?
Elements are those things that cannot be broken down any further into another
substance by chemical means.
6. Distinguish between atoms and molecules.
Indivisible objects that make up molecules.
7. Generally, what does the structure of an atom look like? Where are each of the
three subatomic particles—protons, neutrons, and electrons—located?
An atom has a nucleus of protons and neutrons, in a spherical shape, “orbited” by
electrons.
8. What are valence electrons?
Electrons surrounding an atom that come in contact with other electrons and can be
exchanged and shared.
9. What are the three possible ways an atom can achieve a full outer shell?
Helium, Argon, and Neon
10. Fill out the following table about the three different types of bonds:

Ionic Metallic Covalent

Which do these bonds transferring transferring Sharing
involve: transferring
electrons or sharing
electrons?
GSU1132 Life Sciences – Lesson 1 Guide

Which illustration best

represents each compound: Middle diagram Top diagram Bottom diagram

or
- + - + - + - +
+ - + - + - + -
- + - + - + - +

or
_ _
+
_ + _ +

+ _ +
+

List one example of a clorine Sodium metal hydrogen

compound with these bonds

11. Which element forms the backbone of all life’s essential molecules?
Hydrogen bonds
12. What are hydrogen bonds?
A bond that may form when polarized hydrogen atoms link to other atoms by a covalent
or ionic bond.
13. What are hydrocarbons?
Molecules made completely from hydrogen and carbon atoms.
14. List three examples of hydrocarbons you recognize from your reading?
Methane, ethane, and propane.
15. What are organic molecules?
Carbon-based molecules that may or may not be part of a living organism.
16. What are the main four elements we find in our body?
Hydrogen, carbon, oxygen, and nitrogen
17. What do we mean when we say that molecules are “modular”?
Means to build molecules from simpler, widely available parts.
18. Amino acids are held together by what type of bonds?
Peptide bond
19. How many types of amino acids are found in living things?
20
20. How many levels is protein structure broken down into?
4
21. Fill out the following chart comparing the four different classes or organic
molecules we studied:

Proteins Carbohydrate Lipids

Name of the type of Amino acids Carbon, hydrogen, oxygen
basic, modular Lipids aren’t modular
building block that
makes up this polymer
General classes of enzyme Sugars fats
these molecules (fats,
enzymes, sugars,
waxes, etc.)
GSU1132 Life Sciences – Lesson 1 Guide

Primary role(s) in the Act as enzymes in Help in acquiring and Acts as a barrier within the
body chemical reactions in using energy. cell to separate the
cells. different parts as well as
stores energy.

What food in our diets Meat and eggs Sugar, potatoes, and corn Fats in foods
contain these organic
molecules?

22. What are enzymes?

A molecule with a specific shape and structure that facilitates chemical reactions between
other molecules.
23. How do enzymes work?
The enzyme brings together other molecules in a cell and facilitate their bonding together
or their tearing apart.
24. How many of the amino acids are synthesized in the human body?
12
25. What are the simplest carbohydrates called?
Sugars
26. What main property do lipids have in common?
They do not dissolve in water
27. What are phospholipids?
Lipids that are long and thin with a carbon backbone and a phosphate group at one end
of the molecule. One end is hydrophilic and one end in hydrophobic.
28. What is the difference between a saturated and unsaturated fat?
Saturated fats are fully bonded to four other carbon atoms. Unsaturated fats are bonded
with two carbon atoms and one hydrogen atom
29. Why does a double-layered structure of phospholipids (also known as a “lipid bi-
layer”) function well as a membrane?
Because the hydrophobic ends of the molecule line up facing each other, while the
hydrophilic ends face to the outside keeping water away from the hydrophobic ends and
nearer to the hydrophilic ends.
30. What is the difference between a vitamin and a mineral?
Vitamins are complex organic molecules that are vital to good health. Minerals are all the
chemical elements in food other than carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, and oxygen.
31. What is the only vitamin the body is able to produce?
Vitamin D
Good job, a couple of the things were a little off, so here's my notes: #1- this is all true, and the reason this works is because
the universe appears to be ordered and predictable; #3- I would steer this in a slightly different direction: laws summarize
WHAT happens, theories attempt to explain WHY those things happen; #9- they can share, donate, or accept electrons;
#10- in metallic bonds, they actually share electrons; for the second row, swap the metallic and covalent pictures; for the last
row, "chlorine" by itself is actually covalent. You need a metal in front of that like "sodium chloride"; #11- should be carbon;
#21- carbs are made up of monosaccharides.