UNIT

BIOMOLECULES
(QUESTIONS & ANSWERS)

14.1 Glucose or sucrose are soluble in water but cyclohexane or benzene (simple six membered ring compounds)
are insoluble in water. Explain.
Ans. Glucose and sucrose molecules contain many – OH groups and hence are capable of forming H-bonds with
water molecules. On the other hand cyclohexane and benzene are hydrocarbons and hence cannot form H-
bonds with water. Therefore, glucose and sucrose are soluble in water whereas cyclohexane and benzene are
not soluble in water.

14.2 What are the expected products of hydrolysis of lactose?

Ans. Since lactose is a disaccharide, on hydrolysis it gives two molecules of monosaccharides, i.e. one molecule of
each of D–(+) – glucose and D – (+) – galactose.
H O
C12 H 22O11  H 2 O 
3
C6 H12O6  C6 H12O6
Lactose or Lactose D (  ) D (  ) 
Glucose Galactose

14.3 How do you explain the absence of aldehyde group in the pentaacetate of D-glucose?
Ans. Since pentaacetate of glucose are not oxidised by Tollen's reagent or Fehling's solution indicating the absence
of D-glucose.

14.4 The melting points and solubility in water of amino acids are generally higher than that of the corresponding halo
acids. Explain.
Ans. The amino acids exists as a zwitterions.
H3N+ – CHR – COO–
Due to this dipolar salt like character they have strong dipole attractions or electrostatic attractions. Therefore,
their melting points are higher than that of corresponding halo acids.
Due to salt like character of amino acids their solubility is higher than the corresponding halo acids.

14.5 Where does the water present in the egg go after boiling the egg?
Ans. When the egg is boiled, the proteins first undergo denaturation and then coagulation and the water present in
the egg get absorbed.

14.6 Why cannot Vitamin C be stored in our body?

Ans. Vitamin C is water soluble, therefore it is readily excreted in urine and hence cannot be stored in the body.

14.7 What products would be formed when a nucleotide from DNA containing thymine is hydrolysed?
Ans. Besides thymine, the two other products are-2 deoxy-D-ribose and phosphoric acid.

STUDY MATERIAL: XII CHEMISTRY 1 BIOMOLECULES (Q & A)

14.8 When RNA is hydrolysed there is no relationship among the quantities of different bases obtained. What does
this fact suggest about the structure of RNA?
Ans. Since in RNA after complete hydrolysis there is no relationship between the quantities of four bases
(C, G, A and U) obtained. Therefore, the base-pairing principle, i.e. a pair with U and C pairs with G is not
followed. Therefore, unlike DNA, RNA has a single strand.

14.1 What are monosaccharides?

Ans. Monosaccharides are carbohydrates that cannot be hydrolysed further to give simpler units of polyhydroxy
aldehyde or ketone.
Monosaccharides are classified on the bases of number of carbon atoms and the functional group present in
them. Monosaccharides containing an aldehyde group are known as aldoses and those containing a keto group
are known as ketoses.
Monosaccharides are further classified as trioses, tetroses, pentoses, hexoses, and heptoses according to the
number of carbon atoms they contain. For example, a ketose containing 3 carbon atoms is called ketotriose
and an aldose containing 3 carbon atoms is called aldotriose.

14.2 What are reducing sugars?

Ans. Reducing sugars are carbohydrates that reduce Fehling’s solution and Tollen’s reagent. All monosaccharides
and disaccharides, excluding sucrose, are reducing sugars.

14.3 Write two main functions of carbohydrates in plants.

Ans. Two main functions of carbohydrates in plants are:
(i) Polysaccharides such as starch serve as storage molecules.
(ii) Cellulose, a polysaccharide, is used to build the cell wall.

14.4 Classify the following into monosaccharides and disaccharides. Ribose, 2-deoxyribose. maltose, galactose,
fructose and lactose.
Ans. Monosaccharides - Fructose, Galactose, Ribose and 2-deoxyribose
Disaccharides - Maltose, Luctose.

14.5 What do you understand by the term glycosidic linkage?

Ans. In disaccharides or polysaccharides monosaccharides are joined together by an oxide linkage formed by loss
of a water molecule. Such a linkage between two monosaccharide units through oxygen atom is called glyco-
sidic linkage.

14.6 What is glycogen? How is it different from starch?

Ans. Glycogen is a carbohydrate (polysaccharide). In animals, carbohydrates are stored as glycogen.
Starch is a carbohydrate consisting of two components - amylose (15 - 20%) and amylopectin (80 - 85%).
However, glycogen consists of only one component whose structure is similar to amylopectin. Also, glycogen
is more branched than amylopectin.

14.7 What are the hydrolysis products of (a) sucrose and (b) lactose ?
Ans. Hydrolysis products of sucrose - Glucose, Fructose
Hydrolysis products of lactose - Glucose, Galactose.
STUDY MATERIAL: XII CHEMISTRY 2 BIOMOLECULES (Q & A)
14.8 What is the basic structural difference between starch and cellulose ?
Ans. Starch is a polymer of -glucose. It consists of a linear polymer of -gulcose (called amylose) and a branched
- chain polymer of -glucose.

14.9 What happens when D-glucose is treated with the following reagents?
(i) HI (ii) Bromine water (iii) HNO3

CHO
|
Ans. (i) (CHOH)4 + HI –––––CH3 – CH2 – CH2 – CH2 – CH2 – CH3
|
CH 2OH
D-Glucose

CHO COOH CHO COOH

| | | |
(ii) (CHOH)4 
Br2 water (CHOH) 4 (iii) (CHOH)4 + HNO3 ––––– (CHOH) 4
| | | |
CH 2OH CH 2OH CH 2OH COOH
D-Glucose Gluconic acid D-Glucose Saccharic acid

14.10 Enumerate the reactions of D-glucose which cannot be explained by its open chain structure.
Ans. (1) Aldehydes give 2, 4-DNP test, Schiff's test, and react with NaHSO4 to form the hydrogen sulphite addi-
tion product. However, glucose does not undergo these reactions.
(2) The pentaacetate of glucose does not react with hydroxylamine. This indicates that a free – CHO group is
absent from glucose.
(3) Glucose exists in two crystalline forms –  and . The -form (m.p. = 419 K) crystallises from a concen-
trated solution of glucose at 303 K and the -form (m.p = 423 K) crystallises from a hot and saturated
aqueous solution at 371 K. This behaviour cannot be explained by the open chain structure of glucose.

14.11 What are essential and non-essential amino acids? Give two examples of each type.
Ans. Essential amino acids are required by the human body, but they cannot be synthesised in the body. They must
be taken through food. For example: valine and leucine Non-essential amino acids are also required by the
human body, but they can be synthesised in the body. For example: glycine, and alanine

14.12 Define the following as related to proteins

(i) Peptide linkage (ii) Primary structure (iii) Denaturation.
Ans. (i) Peptide linkage : Amino acids are bifunctional molecules with NH2 group at one end and COOH at the
other. Therefore, the COOH of one molecule and NH2 of another molecule interact by elimination of H2O
to form an amide like linkage called peptide bond or peptide linkage.
(ii) Primary structure : The sequence in which amino acids are linked with each other in polypeptide chain
form primary structure.
(iii) Denaturation : The process of by which secondary and tertiary structure of proteins get disturbed on
change of pH or temperature and they are not able to perform their functions. This is called denaturation of
proteins.

14.13 What are the common types of secondary structure of proteins ?

Ans. The common types of secondary structures of proteins are,
(i) -helix structure
(ii) -flat sheet and -pleated sheet structures.
STUDY MATERIAL: XII CHEMISTRY 3 BIOMOLECULES (Q & A)
14.14 What type of bonding helops in stabilishing the -helix structure of proteins.
Ans. N – N .......... O = C hydrogen bonding helps in stabilising the -helix structure of proteins.

14.15 Differentiate between globular and fibrous proteins.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Ans. Fibrous protein Globular protein
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
1. It is a fibre-like structure formed by the 1. The polypeptide chain in this protein is folded
polypeptide chain. These proteins are held around itself, giving rise to a spherical structure.
together by strong hydrogen and disulphide
bonds.
2. It is usually insoluble in water. 2. It is usually soluble in water.
3. Fibrous proteins are usually used for 3. All enzymes are globular proteins. Some hormones
structural purposes. For example, such as insulin are also globular proteins.
keratin is present in nails and hair;
collagen in tendons; and myosin in muscles.
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14.16 How do you explain the amphoteric behaviour of amino acids?

Ans. Amino acids contain anacidic (carbonyl group) and a basic (amino group) within the sasme molecule. In
zwitter ionic form -amino acids show amphoteric behaviour as they react with both acids and bases.

14.17 What are enzymes?

Ans. Enzymes are proteins that catalyse biological reactions. They are very specific in nature and catalyse only a
particular reaction for a particular substrate. Enzymes are usually named after the particular substrate or class
of substrate and some times after the particular reaction.

14.18 What is the effect of denaturation on the structure of proteins?

Ans. As a result of denaturation, globules get unfolded and helixes get uncoiled. Secondary and tertiary structures of
protein are destroyed, but the primary structures remain unaltered. It can be said that during denaturation,
secondary and tertiary-structured proteins get converted into primary-structured proteins. Also, as the sec-
ondary and tertiary structures of a protein are destroyed, the enzyme loses its activity.

14.19 How are vitamins classified? Name the vitamin responsible for the coagulation of blood.
Ans. On the basis of their solubility in water or fat, vitamins are classified into two groups.
(i) Fat-soluble vitamins: Vitamins that are soluble in fat and oils, but not in water, belong to this group.
For example: Vitamins A, D, E, and K
(ii) Water-soluble vitamins: Vitamins that are soluble in water belong to this group.
For example: B group vitamins (B1, B2, B6, B12, etc.) and vitamin C However, biotin or vitamin H is
neither soluble in water nor in fat. Vitamin K is responsible for the coagulation of blood.

14.20 Why are vitamin A and vitamin C essential to us? Give their important sources.
Ans. The deficiency of vitamin A leads to xerophthalmia (hardening of the cornea of the eye) and night blindness. The
deficiency of vitamin C leads to scurvy (bleeding gums). The sources of vitamin A are fish liver oil, carrots,
butter, and milk. The sources of vitamin C are citrus fruits, amla, and green leafy vegetables.

STUDY MATERIAL: XII CHEMISTRY 4 BIOMOLECULES (Q & A)

14.21 What are nucleic acids? Mention their two important functions.
Ans. Nucleic acids are biomolecules found in the nuclei of all living cells, as one of the constituents of chromosomes.
There are mainly two types of nucleic acids - deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA).
Nucleic acids are also known as polynucleotides as they are long-chain polymers of nucleotides.
Two main functions of nucleic acids are:
(i) DNA is responsible for the transmission of inherent characters from one generation to the next. This
process of transmission is called heredity.
(ii) Nucleic acids (both DNA and RNA) are responsible for protein synthesis in a cell. Even though the
proteins are actually synthesised by the various RNA molecules in a cell, the message for the synthesis of
a particular protein is present in DNA.

14.22 What is the difference between a nucleoside and a nucleotide?

Ans. Nucleoside is formed by condensation of a purine or pyrimidine base with pentose sugar at position 1. When
nucleoside is linked to phosphoric acid at 5 position of sugar moiety, we get a nucleotide. Hence, a nucleotide
has three units – phosphate group, pentose sugar and a base, whereas nucleoside has two units – pentose sugar
and a base.

14.23 The two strands in DNA are not identical but are complementary. Explain.
Ans. In the helical structure of DNA, the two strands are held together by hydrogen bonds between specific pairs of
bases. Cytosine forms hydrogen bond with guanine, while adenine forms hydrogen bond with thymine. As a
result, the two strands are complementary to each other.

14.24 Write the important structural and functional differences between DNA and RNA.
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Ans. DNA RNA
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
1. The sugar present in DNA is 1. The sugar present in RNA is
2-deoxy-D-(–)-ribose. D-(–) - ribose.
2. DNA has double stranded -helix structure. 2. RNA has single stranded -helix structure.
3. DNA contains cytosine and thymine as 3. RNA contains cytosine and uracil as
pyrimidine bases. pyrimidine bases.
4. DNA has unique property to replicate. 4. RNA usually not replicate.
5. DNA are responsible for heredity character. 5. RNA controls protein synthesis.
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14.25 What are the different types of RNA found in the cell?
Ans. (i) Messenger RNA (m-RNA) (ii) Ribosomal RNA (r-RNA) (iii) Transfer RNA (t-RNA)

Q.1 Give one test to distinguish glucose and fructose.

Q.2 Why cellulose cannot be used as a food for human beings?
Q.3 Why is glucose given to the patients under exhaustion?
Q.4 Sucrose does not reduce silver nitrate but when pretreated with dil. acid it does reduce. Why ?
Q.5 Except for vitamin B12, all other vitamins of group B, should be supplied regularly in diet. Why?

STUDY MATERIAL: XII CHEMISTRY 5 BIOMOLECULES (Q & A)

Q.6 (a) What changes occur in the nature of egg proteins on boiling?
(b) Name the type of bonding which stabilizes -helix structure in proteins.
Q.7 Compound (A) C5H10O4, is oxidised by Br2 in H2O to the acid, C5H10O5. (A) forms a triacetate with (Ac2O)
and is reduced by red phosphorus and HI to n-pentane. Oxidation of (A) with HIO4 gives, among other
products, 1 molecule of CH2O and 1 molecule of HCO2H. What are the possible structures of (A) and how
could you distinguish between them ?
Q.8 Deduce the molecular formula of glucose from the following data :
The % composition is C = 40%, H = 6.7% and O = 53.3%. A solution of 9.0g in 100g of H2O freezes at
0.93°C. (Kf of H2O = 1.86°C/mol)
Q.9 Glucose, mannose and fructose give identical osazones. Explain.

(i) VERY SHORT ANSWER TYPE

Q.l What type of linkage holds together the monomers of DNA?
Q.2 Name the monomer unit of nucleic acids.
Q.3 Why is cellulose in our diet not nourishing?
Q.4 Write the names of anomers of glucose.
Q.5 Name the deficiency disease resulting from lack of vitamins A and E in the diet.
Q.6 Name the reagent that can be used to differentiate an aldose and, a ketose.
Q.7 Define the term denaturation in relation to protein.
Q.8 Under what conditions does each protein take a shape that is energetically most stable?
Q.9 Which nitrogen containing bases are found in nucleotides?
Q.10 What happens when starch is boiled with dil HCl?
Q.11 Name the purines present in DNA.
Q.12 Write the chemical names of vitamin E and C.

(ii) SHORT ANSWER TYPE

Q.13 (a) What changes occur in the nature of egg proteins on boiling?
(b) Name the type of bonding which stabilizes -helix structure in proteins.
Q.14 State differences between globular proteins and fibrous proteins.
Q.15 What do you mean by complete and incomplete proteins ?
Q.16 Explain what is meant by :
(i) a peptide linkage (ii) a glycosidic linkage.
Q.17 How is glucose prepared from the cane sugar in the laboratory ?
Q.18 Explain the term mutarotation giving an example.
Q.19 Name the main disease caused due to lack of the vitamin and its source in each of the following A, B6 and E.
Q.20 An optically active amino acid (A) can exist in three forms depending on the pH of the medium. If the molecular
formula of (A) is C3H7NO2. Write:
(i) Structure of compound (A) in aqueous medium. What are such ions called.
(ii) In which medium will the cationic form of compound (A) exist?
(iii) In alkaline medium, towards which electrode will the compound (A) migrate in electric field?
Q.21 Answer the following questions briefly:
(i) What are reducing sugars?
(ii) What is meant by denaturation of a protein?
(iii) How is oxygen replenished in our atmosphere?

STUDY MATERIAL: XII CHEMISTRY 6 BIOMOLECULES (Q & A)

(iii) LONG ANSWER TYPE

Q.22 Write down the structures and names of products formed when D-glucose is treated with;
(a) (i) Hydroxylamine (ii) HI (iii) Ammonical silver nitrate solution.
(b) How are harmones and vitamins different in respect of their sources and functions?
Q.23 (a) State the constitutional difference between DNA and RNA Write down the names of the bases produced
on hydrolysis of DNA.
(b) Draw simple Fischer projections of D-glucose and L-glucose. Can these be called enantiomers?
Q.24 State differences between the following pairs :
(i) -helix and -pleated structures.
(ii) Primary and secondary structures of a protein.

CHAPTER REVIEW TEST

(PREVIOUS CBSE QUESTIONS)

Q.1 Except for vitamin Bl2, all other vitamins of group B; should be supplied regularly in diet. Why ?
Q.2 Write two main functions of carbohydrates in plants.
Q.3 B-Complex is an often prescribed vitamins. What is complex about it and what is its usefulness?
Q.4 Give one example each for reducing and non-reducing sugars.
Q.5 Why are carbohydrates generally optically active ?
Q.6 Name the two components of starch. How do they differ from each other structurally?
Q.7 Name the four bases present in DNA. Which one of the these is not present in RNA?
Q.8 Name two fat soluble vitamins, their sources and the diseases caused due to their deficiency in diet.
Q.9 Name two water soluble vitamins, their sources and the diseases caused due to their deficiency in diet.
Q.10 What are essential and non-essential amino acids? Give one example of each type.
Q.11 Mention the type of linkages responsible for the formation of the following:
(i) Primary structure of proteins. (ii) Cross linking of polypeptide chains.
(iii) -helix formation. (iv) -sheet structure.
Q.12 Write the major classes in which the carbohydrates are divided depending upon whether these undergo hydrolysis,
and if so, on the number of products formed.
Q.13 Name the chemical components which constitute nucleotides. Write any two functions of nucleotides in a cell.
Q.14 An optically active compound having molecular formula C6H12O6 is found in two isomeric forms (A) and (B)
in nature. When (A) and (B) are dissolved in water they show the following equilibrium:
(A) Equilibrium (B)
mixture 19.2°
[ ]D= 111°
52.2°
(i) What are such isomers called? (ii) Can they be called enantiomers? Justify your answer.
(iii) Draw the cyclic structure of isomer (A).
Q.15 Despite having an aldehyde group:
(a) Glucose does not give 2, 4-DNP test. What does this indicate?
(b) Draw the Haworth structure of -D-(+)-Glucopyranose.
(c) What is the significance of D and (+) here?

STUDY MATERIAL: XII CHEMISTRY 7 BIOMOLECULES (Q & A)

Q.16 Answer the following queries about proteins.
(i) How are proteins related to amino acids?
(ii) How are oligopeptides different from polypeptides?
(iii) When is a protein said to be denatured?
Q.17 Define the following and give one example of each:
(a) Isoelectric point (b) Mutarotation (c) Enzymes
Q.18 (a) What is denaturation and renaturation of proteins?
(b) Give reason: Amylose present in the saliva becomes inactive in the stomach.
Q.19 Write four characteristic features of enzymes. Name a disease which is caused by the deficiency of a particular
enzyme.
Q.20 (a) Answer the following questions briefly:
(i) What are any two good sources of vitamin A? (ii) What are nucleotides?
(b) How are carbohydrates classified?
Q.21 (a) Name the three major clauses of carbohydrates and give the distinctive characteristic of each class.
(b) What are nucleotides? Name two classes of nitrogen containing bases found amongst nucleotides.
Q.22 (a) Define the following terms: (i) Co-enzymes (ii) Mutation in biomolecules (iii) Nucleotides.
(b) List four main functions of carbohydrates in organism.
Q.23 (a) Give reasons for the following statements:
(i) Amino acids are amphoteric in nature.
(ii) Amino acids have comparatively higher melting points than the corresponding halo acids.
(b) What deficiency diseases are caused due to lack of vitamin A, B, B6 and K in human diet?
Q.24 (a) Define vitamins and state their classification. List two vitamins of each class.
(b) What are enzymes? State the activity of an enzyme.
Q.25 Explain the following terms. : (i) Invert sugar (ii) Polypeptides
Q.26 Name the products of hydrolysis of sucrose. Why is sucrose not a reducing sugar?
Q.27 What are essential and non-essential amino acids in human food? Give one example of each type.
Q.28 What is meant by ‘reducing sugars’ ?
Q.29 Amino acids may be acidic, alkaline or neutral. How does this happen? What are essential and non-essential
amino acids? Name one of each type.
Q.30 What is essentially the difference between -form of glucose and -form of glucose? Explain.
Q.31 Describe what you understand by primary structure and secondary structure of proteins.
Q.32 Explain what is meant by the following: (i) Peptide linkage (ii) Pyranose structure of glucose
Q.33 Write the main structural difference between DNA and RNA.Of the four bases, name those which are common
to both DNA and RNA.
Q.34 What is essentially the difference between -glucose and -glucose ? What is meant by pyranose structure of
glucose ?
Q.35 Write the name of linkage joining two amino acids.
Q.36 Shanti, a domestic helper of Mrs. Anuradha, fainted while mopping the floor. Mrs. Anuradha immediately took
her to the nearby hospital where she was diagnosed to be severely ‘anaemic.’ The doctor prescribed an iron
rich diet and multivitamins supplement to her. Mrs. Anuradha supported her financially to get the medicines.
After a month, Shanti was diagnosed to be normal.
After reading the above passage, answer the following questions :
(i) What values are displayed by Mrs. Anuradha ?
(ii) Name the vitamin whose deficiency causes ‘pernicious anaemia’.
(iii) Give an example of water soluble vitamin.
Q.37 Write the products of hydrolysis of lactose.
Q.38 Define the following terms : (i) Nucleotide (ii) Anomers (iii) Essential amino acids

STUDY MATERIAL: XII CHEMISTRY 8 BIOMOLECULES (Q & A)