✅1 - Biological Molecules Flashcards
What is metabolism?
All the chemical processes that take place in living organisms collectively
What is the general formula for monosaccharides?
(CH2O)n
Where is the ‘H’ on a-glucose?
At the top
Where is the ‘H’ on b-glucose?
At the bottom
What is the test for reducing sugars?
Add 2cm3 of the food sample to be tested to a test tube. If the sample is not already in liquid form, first grind it up in water.
Add an equal volume of Benedict’s solution
Heat the mixture in a gently boiling water bath for 5 minutes
What will a positive test for reducing sugars show?
A brick red precipitate will form of copper (I) oxide
What is maltose?
Glucose + glucose
What is sucrose?
Glucose + Fructose
What is lactose?
Glucose + Galactose
What is the bond between two monosaccharides called?
A glycosidic bond
What is a condensation reaction?
When molecules are joined together forming chemical bonds and a molecule of water is removed
What is a hydrolysis reaction?
When a bond is broken using a molecule of water
What is the test for non-reducing sugars?
After a negative test for reducing sugars:
Add 2cm3 of food sample to 2cm3 of HCl and place in a water bath to hydrolyse any disaccharides to monosaccharides
Add sodium hydrogencarbonate to neutralise the HCl and test pH
Re-test the solution with Benedict’s
What is the test for starch?
Add 2cm3 of sample to a test tube
Add two drops of iodine solution and shake it
The presence of starch is indicated by a blue black solution
What is starch?
A polysaccharide
How can the structure of starch differ?
It can be branched or unbranched
What is the main role of starch?
An energy storage molecule
What are the properties of starch that make it suited to its function?
It is insoluble - doesn’t alter water potential of cell
Being large and insoluble, it does not diffuse out
It is compact, so a lot can be stored in a small space
When hydrolysed, it forms a-glucose which is easily transported and readily used in respiration
The branched form has many ends, which means it can be broken down quickly and easily
Where is starch found?
ONLY in plant cells, as starch grains
What is glycogen?
A similar structure polysaccharide to starch found in animal and bacteria cells
How is glycogen stored?
As small granules mainly in the muscles and liver
How is glycogen’s structure related to its function?
It is insoluble and so doesn’t draw water in by osmosis
Being insoluble, it does not diffuse out
It is compact so a lot can be stored
It is more highly branched so has more ends that can be acted on at the same time so can be broken down quickly
What is cellulose?
A polysaccharide of b-glucose
What is the structure of cellulose?
Straight, unbranched chains that run parallel to one another, allowing hydrogen bonds which form cross linkages between adjacent chains
What do groups of cellulose molecules form?
Microfibrils which are then arranged in parallel groups called fibres
How is cellulose’s structure related to its function?
Cellulose molecules are made up of b-glucose and so form long, straight, unbranched chains
These cellulose molecular chains run parallel to each other and are cross linked by hydrogen bonds which ass strength
These molecules are grouped to form microfibrils which in turn are grouped to form fibres which provides more strength
What is the function of cellulose?
To provide support and rigidity
What characteristics do lipids have?
The proportion of oxygen to carbon is smaller than in carbohydrates
They are insoluble in water
They are soluble in organic solvents such as alcohols and acetone
What are the roles of lipids?
Source of energy
Waterproofing
Insulation
Protection
What state are fats at room temperature?
Solid