HS-LS1-6. Construct and revise an explanation based on evidence for how carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen from sugar molecules may combine with other elements such as nitrogen, sulfur, and phosphorus to form amino acids and other carbon-based molecules.

Living organisms are made up of complex molecules that are essential for life. Many of these molecules, such as proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids, are built from simpler molecules that contain carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. These elements, often starting as sugar molecules, can combine with other elements like nitrogen, sulfur, and phosphorus to form the building blocks of life, including amino acids and other carbon-based molecules. This review will explore how these elements come together to create the essential molecules needed for life.

Main Concepts

Carbon-Based Molecules: Carbon is a key element in many of the molecules that make up living organisms. These molecules include carbohydrates (like sugars), proteins, lipids (fats), and nucleic acids (DNA and RNA).

Building Blocks of Life: Simple molecules like sugars (which contain carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen) can combine with elements such as nitrogen, sulfur, and phosphorus to form more complex molecules. For example, amino acids, the building blocks of proteins, are formed by combining these elements.

Formation of Complex Molecules: Through chemical reactions, the elements in sugar molecules can be rearranged and combined with other elements to form lipids, starches, proteins, and nucleic acids. These reactions are essential for building the structures and carrying out the functions necessary for life.

Importance of Models and Simulations: Scientists use models and simulations to understand how these chemical reactions happen and to predict the behavior of molecules. These tools help in constructing and revising explanations based on evidence about how complex molecules are formed.

Review Questions and Answers

1. What are carbon-based molecules?

Carbon-based molecules are organic molecules that include carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids, all of which are essential for life.

2. Which elements are found in sugar molecules?

Sugar molecules contain carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen.

3. How do sugar molecules contribute to the formation of complex molecules?

Sugar molecules provide the carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen needed to form more complex molecules, such as lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids, by combining with other elements like nitrogen, sulfur, and phosphorus.

4. What are amino acids, and how are they formed?

Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins. They are formed when carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen from sugar molecules combine with nitrogen and sometimes sulfur.

5. What role do nitrogen, sulfur, and phosphorus play in the formation of carbon-based molecules?

Nitrogen, sulfur, and phosphorus are elements that combine with carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen to form important molecules like amino acids, proteins, and nucleic acids.

6. Why are models and simulations important in understanding molecular formation?

Models and simulations help scientists visualize and predict how molecules interact and form, allowing them to construct and revise explanations based on evidence.

7. What is the relationship between sugar molecules and nucleic acids?

Sugar molecules, specifically deoxyribose and ribose, are key components of nucleic acids like DNA and RNA, which store and transmit genetic information.

8. How are lipids formed from basic elements?

Lipids are formed when carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen from sugar molecules combine in specific ways, often involving the addition of fatty acids and glycerol.

9. What is the significance of carbon in forming biological molecules?

Carbon is a versatile element that can form stable bonds with many other elements, allowing it to be the backbone of complex molecules essential for life.

10. How do chemical reactions contribute to the synthesis of starches?

Chemical reactions rearrange the atoms in sugar molecules, allowing them to link together and form polysaccharides like starches, which are used for energy storage.

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Disclaimer: The information provided is intended to serve as a study guide based on a contextual analysis of the NGSS standards for the Life Science Biology assessment. These study guides should be used as a supplement to your overall study strategy, and their alignment to the actual test format is not guaranteed. We recommend that you consult with your instructor for additional guidance on exam preparation.