Question

1. A. Predict how the presence or absence of a specific functional group can influence the chemical properties and the types of molecular interactions formed by a biomolecule.

B. Identify various common functional groups present in a biomolecule and how the presence of specific functional groups can be used to classify biomolecules.

Answer 1

1.
Chemical reactivity and types of molecular associations formed by a compound are dependent upon the functional group that it contains.
Ex:
CH3-COOH: Acetic acid: It contains the carboxylic acid functional group.
CH3-NH2: Methylamine: It contains amine functional group and functions as a base.
Here, one is proton donor while the other is acceptor.

If a molecule contains hydrophobic side chains, it stays away from the hydrophilic environment.
If a molecule contains hydrophilic side chains, it gets exposed to the hydrophilic environment.

For example,
Asp, Glu, and Arg have polar side chains. So, they are generally found on the protein surface.
Leu, Ile, and Val have non-polar side chains. So, they are generally found buried inside the core of protein structure.

2.
a. -OH group
Alcohol
Ex: Ethanol

b. -COOH
Carboxylic acid
Ex: Fatty acids

c. -CHO
Aldehyde
Ex: Acetaldehyde

d. -CO-
Ketose
Ex: Fructose

e. -NH2
Amines
Ex: Ethanolamine

Glucose is an aldohexose while fructose is an aldoketose.