Terpenoids: The Role of Isoprene Units
Terpenoids are a large and diverse class of organic compounds found in nature. Their fundamental structure is derived from repeating units of a five-carbon molecule.
Identifying the Basic Unit
- Terpenoids are structurally characterized by combinations of isoprene units.
- An isoprene unit has the chemical formula C5H8.
- Terpenoids can consist of two (monoterpenoids), three (sesquiterpenoids), four (diterpenoids), or many more isoprene units linked together.
Evaluating Incorrect Options
- Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins.
- Carbohydrates are sugars and starches, primarily composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen in a different ratio.
- Triacylglycerols are fats and oils, composed of glycerol and fatty acids.
Therefore, the correct building block for terpenoids is isoprene.
Important Questions from Structure and Function of Biomolecules
- An element that is present in a nucleotide but not in a nucleoside is __________.
- Which one of the following coenzymes is utilised by alanine racemase for the conversion of L-Alanine to D-Alanine?
- Which of the following show(s) optical activity at 100 mM concentration in water?
An octapeptide composed of these L-amino acids – Lys, Thr, Ser, Met, Arg, Trp, Tyr, Glu was subjected to analyses with the following outcomes:
P. The N-terminal sequencing analysis by Sanger's method yielded 'Ser' at the N-terminus
Q. Chymotrypsin treatment gave a pentapeptide, a ‘Tyr' containing dipeptide and a free ‘Glu'
R. Cyanogen bromide treatment gave two tetrapeptides
S. Trypsin treatment gave two tripeptides and a dipeptide
Which one of the following is the correct octapeptide sequence?
- Which of the following amino acids contain(s) two chiral carbons?
