Writing assignment – Answer any one of the following questions in an essay of approximately 150-250 words. Answer ONE of the following:
- The sun provides a tremendous amount of energy to the earth every day, far more than is currently used. Given this fact, why is the acquisition of energy a constant task for organisms? Why do so many creatures starve?
- Compare and contrast proteins and carbohydrates. Consider how they are formed and their purpose/function inside a cell.
- Not all cells are the same. A skin cell is obviously different from a brain cell, and unicellular organisms are different from one another. What are some of the ways that one cell can differ from another? Explain this in terms of specific structures and/or molecules within a cell.
- Water is necessary for every known life form. Describe some of the properties of water that make it so critical. Give details on a molecular level. Do any of these properties play a role in the structure or function of other molecules that are important to life?
For my writing assignment I choose prompt 2 “Compare and contrast proteins and carbohydrates. Consider how they are formed and their purpose/function inside a cell”. Proteins and carbohydrates are both very important organic molecules that help the cell and its functions. But proteins and carbohydrates are made very different and have very different jobs. Carbohydrates are made of sugar molecules. Simple sugars can join together to form larger carbohydrates, such as starch, glycogen, sucrose, maltose, and lactose, to name a few. Carbohydrates can be used for energy and energy storage and provide structure in organisms.
Now for proteins. Proteins are made from smaller molecules called amino acids. These amino acids are joined together to form what is called polypeptides. These polypeptides fold into proteins. Proteins have many different functions inside a cell. They can act as enzymes, help move substances, provide structure, work as hormones or receptors, transport materials, and much more.
One big difference is that carbohydrates are really important for providing and storing energy. While proteins have different jobs in the cell. One thing they have in common is that they are both built from smaller molecules that can be joined together to make larger molecules. Both are however essential for life because the cell depends on them for energy, structure, and many important processes.
