Define biological molecules, biostatistics, succession, carrying capacity, and aestivation. Name the bonds formed between monomers of starch and protein.

Here are the answers to two questions from the exam paper:

1. (a) Define the following:

• i. Biological molecules: These are molecules produced by living organisms that are essential for their survival and biological processes. They include carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids.
• ii. Biostatistics: This is the application of statistical methods to biological problems, involving the design of experiments, collection and analysis of biological data, and interpretation of results.
• iii. Succession: This is the gradual process of change in the species structure of an ecological community over time, often leading to a more stable climax community.
• iv. Carrying capacity: This is the maximum population size of a biological species that can be sustained indefinitely by a given environment, considering the available resources.
• v. Aestivation: This is a state of animal dormancy, similar to hibernation, characterized by inactivity and a lowered metabolic rate, occurring in response to high temperatures and arid conditions.

2. (a) Name the bonds that are formed between monomers of the following biological molecules:

• i. Starch: The bonds formed between glucose monomers in starch are glycosidic bonds. $$\boxed{\text{Glycosidic bonds}}$$
• ii. Protein: The bonds formed between amino acid monomers in proteins are peptide bonds. $$\boxed{\text{Peptide bonds}}$$
• iii. Lipid: For common lipids like triglycerides, the bonds formed between glycerol and fatty acids are ester bonds. $$\boxed{\text{Ester bonds}}$$
• iv. Nucleic acid: The bonds formed between nucleotide monomers in nucleic acids are phosphodiester bonds. $$\boxed{\text{Phosphodiester bonds}}$$