UNIVERSITI TUNKU ABDUL RAHMAN

CENTRE FOR FOUNDATION STUDIES

FOUNDATION IN SCIENCE
MAY 2018

FHSB1214
BIOLOGY I

TUTORIAL 2
BASIC MOLECULES OF CELLS II

(Source: Final Examination, May 2018)

Q1. Figure 1 shows a phospholipid molecule.

Figure 1

Based on Figure 1, answer the following questions.

(a) Name the part A. (1 mark)

(b) Identify fatty acids 1, 2 and 3 respectively. Explain your answer. (5 marks)

(c) Determine the physical state of the triglyceride in room temperature and suggest
a dietary source of triglyceride. (2 marks)

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(Source: Final examination, Sept 2011 & Sept 2012, truncated)
Q2. (a) Figure 2 shows the molecular structure of a triglyceride and Figure 3 shows
the molecular structure of phosphatidylcholine, a type of phospholipid.

Figure 2 Figure 3

In the following table, compare the structures of phospholipid and triglyceride

molecules. (2 marks)

Triglyceride Phospholipid
Hydrophobicity/
hydrophilicity
No of fatty acids per
molecule

(b) There are two types of fats that could be found in the food, which are saturated
and unsaturated fats. Identify the structural differences between saturated and
unsaturated fats. (4 marks)

Structural properties Saturated fats Unsaturated fats

Bonding among the fatty acids

Kinks (presence / absence)

(Source: Final Examination, Dec 2017)

Q3. Table 1 shows the properties of four types of fatty acids.

Table 1
Chemical properties Physical property
Number of Number of Melting points
Fatty acids
carbon atoms carbon-carbon (ºC)
double bond
Palmatic acid 16 0 63.1
Stearic acid 18 0 69.6
Oleic acid 18 1 13.4
Linoleic acid 18 2 -5

Based on Table 1, answer the following questions.

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 (a) State the physical state the palmatic acid and oleic acid at room temperature.
(2 marks)

(b) Contrast between stearic acid and oleic acid in terms of their chemical and
physical properties with its significance. (2 marks)

(Source: Final Examination, Apr 2012 & Apr 2016, truncated)

Q4. Figure 4 shows the molecular formula of an organic compound, which is the monomer
of one of the four biological molecules.

Figure 4

Based on Figure 4, answer the following questions.

(a) Name the monomer. (1 mark)

(b) The monomer has an amino group and a carboxyl group. Label these two
groups. (2 marks)

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(c) Draw and show how two monomers of Figure 4 link to form a product called
A. Include the following in your answer. (4 marks)
 Indicate and name the bond linking the monomers
 Name the product A
 Name the reaction

(d) David learnt that when an egg was fried, the clear egg white surrounding the
yolk became solid, white and opaque. He claimed that peptide bonds linking the
amino acid monomers were broken during this process. With reference to the
bonds or interactions and levels of protein structure involved, explain why you
do not agree with David. (3 marks)