1 - Biological Molecules Flashcards
What is the function of H+ ions
- maintains pH levels in body
- movement of molecules across cell membranes
- forms ATP in respiration & photosynthesis
What is the definition of metabolism?
The sum of all reactions that occur in an organism
Where are inorganic ions found?
in solution in the cytoplasm and body fluids of organisms
What is the function of Fe 2+ (iron) Ions?
- component of haemoglobin
- transports o2 around the whole body (o2 binds to it)
What is the function of PO4 3- (phosphate) Ions?
components of:
- nucleic acids (DNA/RNA)
- ATP
- phospholipids in cell membrane
What is the function of Na+ (sodium) Ions?
Co - transport of glucose and amino acids
What are the thermal properties of water
HIGH SPECIFIC HEAT CAPACITY:
- buffers changes in temperature
LARGE LATENT HEAT OF VAPORISATION:
- provides a cooling effect through evaporation
- Good habitat for aquatic organisms as temperature more stable than land
- Organisms mostly made of water so helps maintain a constant internal body temperature – important as temperature affects enzyme activity
What are the cohesive properties of water?
Cohesion: so supports columns of water in plants
- produces surface tension supporting organisms eg pond skaters on water
Describe property of water: solvent
- metabolic reactions can occur
- allows transport of substances
Describe a condensation reaction
- Joins 2 molecules together
- releases water
- Forms a chemical bond e.g. glycosidic bond
Describe a hydrolysis reaction
- Separates 2 molecules
- uses water
- Breaks a chemical bond
Describe anabolism
- small to big
- uses condensation reactions
Describe catabolism
- big to small
- uses hydrolysis reactions
What are monosaccharides and disaccharides?
Simple carbohydrates
What is maltose made up from?
Glucose + glucose
What is sucrose made up from?
Glucose + fructose
What is lactose made up from?
Glucose + galactose
How does a glycosidic bond form?
By a condensation reaction between two monosaccharides
Where is the OH in alpha glucose?
Below carbon 1
Where is the OH in beta glucose?
Above carbon 1
What are examples of polysaccharides?
Starch
Cellulose
Glycogen
What is the structure & function of glycogen?
F: glucose so provides respiratory substrate for energy release
S:
- polysaccharide of alpha glucose with (1,4) and (1,6) glycosidic bonds
- helical/ coiled/ branched so more ends for faster hydrolysis
- insoluble in water so does not affect water potential
What’s the function of starch?
Energy store in plant cells
- helical = compact for storage in cell
- insoluble in water
- can’t leave cell
What’s the structure of starch?
Mixture of amylose and amylopectin
What’s the structure of amylose starch?
- (1,4) glycosidic bonds
- unbranched/linear
What’s the structure of amylopectin starch?
- (1,4) & (1,6) glycosidic bonds
- branched
What’s the function of cellulose? 6m
- provides strength & structural support to plant cell walls:
- unbranched/linear
- long and straight chains
- beta glucose
- has crosslinks to form strong fibres
- Lots of strong H bonds (strong in large numbers & hold chains together)
How are triglycerides formed?
By the Condensation of 1 molecule of glycerol and 3 fatty acids, and the removal of 3 molecules of water. Ester bond is formed.
What forms an ester bond?
A condensation reaction between glycerol and fatty acid
What are the functions of triglycerides?
- Effective energy stores - have a large number of hydrocarbon chains so rich in energy
- Insoluble in water so can be stored without affecting the cells water potential 
What is the structure of Phospholipids?
One of the fatty acids of the triglyceride is substituted by a phosphate containing group.
What do phospholipids form and why?
A bilayer in cell membrane allowing diffusion of small molecules due to its Phosphate heads and fatty acid tails
What are phosphate heads in phospholipids?
Polar/hydrophilic = attracted to/ interact with water
So face outwards
What are fatty acid tails in phospholipids?
Non-polar/hydrophobic = repelled by water
So face inwards