Biochemistry For Kids Trivia Quiz

Answer: Biology and chemistry

Biochemistry is more similar to biology, but contains lots of chemistry too! Chemistry looks at lots of things, but biochemistry deals specifically with chemistry in living organisms ("bio" is Greek for "life"). This means we take questions like "how do we digest food?", "how do our bodies fight illness?", and "how do we stay alive?" and try to answer them from a molecular level.

Answer: DNA

DNA is made up of genes, which help to determine what we look like (e.g. whether we have blue or brown eyes, blonde or brown hair, whether we are short or tall etc.). This important molecule is stowed away in a compartment known as the nucleus of a cell. Though many think of genetics when talking about DNA, biochemistry is also important to understand how DNA interacts with other parts of the cell to do its job.

Answer: 20

Our genome codes for 20 amino acids. These amino acids are then stitched together by links known as peptide bonds. The sequence of these amino acids decides what type of protein is made. The amino acids are like the ingredients, and the protein is the final product.

Answer: Hair

Keratin is called a "fibrous protein", meaning it won't dissolve when you put it in water, which makes showering a lot easier! Another fibrous protein is collagen. Collagen is actually the most abundant protein in our bodies and makes up our skin and bones.

Answer: Enzymes

Enzymes are a perfect definition of biochemistry. They carry out chemical reactions, but are only found in living organisms, such as bacteria, plants, cats, dogs, fish, and humans. They work so well that technology has not even been able to get close to how quickly enzymes work.

Answer: Lipid

There are many types of lipid. One type is the triglycerides, which makes up mostly what people would call "their fat". Whilst fat is often seen as a bad thing, we do need some fat. Fat keeps us warm and surrounds our vital organs, protecting them. Other types of lipids are needed to build cells, allow cells to communicate with each other, and perform many other important tasks which keep us alive.

Answer: Sugars

Just like amino acids link together to make proteins, carbohydrates are made up of long chains of units called monosaccharides. These monosaccharides include glucose, fructose, and galactose. They can join together to form more complex sugars. Glucose and galactose join together to form lactose, which is found in milk. Glucose and fructose join together to form sucrose, which we call table sugar.

Answer: Hydrogen bonds

Hydrogen bonds are quite weak (compared to the bonds between atoms in molecules), but there are lots of them. Hydrogen bonds help proteins to fold into their correct shape. These can be long, strong proteins (like keratin) or compact and soluble proteins (such as enzymes).

Answer: ATP

We take in lots of carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins in the food we eat. These are digested (with the help of enzymes) and many are eventually converted to ATP - a molecule which stores chemical energy. This energy then allows us to move, grow, and help our brains work while taking quizzes on FunTrivia.

Answer: Carbon

Carbon, hydrogen and oxygen are always found in carbohydrates, proteins and lipids. Proteins also always contain nitrogen. Other elements and groups can be added to these molecules, which may change their function and so contribute to the complexity of organisms such as human beings.