1 Biological molecules Flashcards
What is the difference between alpha glucose and beta glucose?
Alpha glucose- both Hs up
Beta glucose- one H, one OH up
Describe the reducing sugars test
- Grind up the food sample in water.
- Add an equal volume of Benedict’s reagent
- heat mixture gently in boiling water for 5 minutes.
- observe the colour change from blue to orange-brown (brick red)
Describe the non-reducing sugars test
- First carry out the reducing sugars test, do the if it is negative.
- grind up sample in water, add equal amounts of hydrochloric acid (this hydrolyses the disaccharides). Place in water bath for 5 mins.
- Add an alkali solution to neutralise it. Test with PH paper.
- Re-test- add benedicts solution and heat. observe colour change.
colour change- blue to orange-brown.
Describe the test for starch
- Add some drops of iodine to a food sample.
- Observe colour change from orange to blue-black.
Describe the properties of triglycerides related to their function.
- High ratio of energy storing carbon-hydrogen bonds to carbon atoms (excellent source of energy)
- Low mass to energy ratio- Good storage molecules as energy can be stored at a small volume.
-Large and non-polar- they are insoluble in water so do not change water potential.
Describe the properties of phospholipids related to their function.
Polar- hydrophilic head and hydrophobic tails mean that they form a bilayer in water
Hydrophilic heads- hold together the surface of the cell membrane.
Structure allows them to form glycolipids on the surface of the membrane (recognition sites)
Draw an amino acid- what are its components.
amino group (NH2), carboxyl group (COOH), hydrogen atom (H), R group (variant of any of 20 amino acids)
What bonds help to form the different structures of proteins?
Primary- just the sequence of amino acids
Secondary- hydrogen bonds
Tertiary- disulphide, ionic and hydrogen
Quaternary- same as tertiary.
Describe the test for proteins
- Grind up food sample in water and add biurets reagent.
- Observe colour change from blue-lilac
Factors affecting enzyme action:enzyme concentration
increases rate of reaction as it increases because the substrates are being broken down quicker and more effectively.
Factors affecting enzyme action: substrate concentration
Increases rate of reaction originally, until all enzymes active sites are occupied and there are substrates that are not actively being broken-down, causing the rate of reaction to slow.
Factors affecting enzyme action: competitive/non-competitive inhibitors
if the concentration increases, then rate of reaction will slow due to active sites being occupied/active sites being changed shape so they no longer fit their substrate.
Factors affecting enzyme action: PH and temperature
Temperature-increases rate of reaction due to more kinetic energy and collision theory until it exceeds the optimum and enzymes denature.
PH: Alters the tertiary structure of the enzyme causing it to denature and no longer fit the substrate.
What are the basic elements of carbohydrates?
carbon, hydrogen and oxygen
name two simple sugars
glucose and fructose
what are the primary functions of carbohydrates?
energy source and structural support
define the term monosaccharide
simple sugar unit
give an example of a disaccharide
maltose, lactose and sucrose
how do plants store carbohydrates?
as starch
what is the difference between starch and cellulose?
starch: energy storage
cellulose: structure
what is the function of glycogen?
animal energy storage carbohydrate
what is the chemical formula of glucose
C6H12O6
what are the main components of lipids?
glycerol and fatty acids
name one function of lipids
energy storage, insulation and hormones
define the term triglyceride
three fatty acids and a glycerol backbone
how do lipids differ from carbohydrates?
more energy per gram
explain the term phospholipid
phosphate head and fatty acid tail
what role do lipids play in the cell membrane?
structural integrity
selective permeability
what is cholesterol?
steroid lipid in membranes
what are two types of cholesterol carriers?
HDL, LDL
how do lipids contribute to energy storage?
long term energy storage molecule
what elements make up proteins?
carbon
hydrogen
oxygen
nitrogen
name 4 functions of proteins
enzymes
structure
transport
defense
define the term amino acid
building blocks of proteins
give an example of a structural protein
collagen
keratin
how do enzymes function?
catalysts- lower activation energy
explain the term polypeptide
chain of amino acids
what is the primary structure of a protein?
base sequence of amino acids
what is the secondary structure of a protein?
folding of polypeptide into an alpha helix or beta pleated sheet shape
what is the tertiary structure of a protein?
take me a specific 3D shape and it becomes functional at this stage
what is the quaternary structure of a protein?
polypeptide associates with other polypeptides in order to carry out a function
what is denaturation?
protein structure distribution via heat or PH
how do proteins contribute to immunity?
antibody production and immune response
name one function of enzymes
catalysts for biochemical reactions
define the term enzyme inhibition, how does this happen?
blocking enzyme activity temporarily
competitive: occupy the active site
non-competitive: bind to the enzyme somewhere else to change active site shape
how does enzyme concentration affect rate of reaction?
increased rate until saturation
what is the role of cofactors?
not proteins but they assist enzyme activity
how do enzymes lower activation energy?
provide an alternative reaction pathway
describe the induced fit model
substrate induces enzyme shape change so that it is completely complimentary
describe the induced fit model
substrate induces enzyme shape change so that it is completely complimentary
describe waters polarity
unequal sharing of electrons
how does water form hydrogen bonds
hydrogen attracts to oxygen
what’s waters role in cells
solvent, medium for reactions to occur
define cohesion in water
water molecules stick together
what is waters heat capacity
high, moderates temperature changes
explain waters solvent properties
dissolves polar and ionic substances
describe waters surface tension
resistance to breaking surface
what is waters importance in metabolism
medium for biochemical reactions
how does water regulate temperature
absorbs and releases heat
What does ATP stand for, what is its structure and function?
Adenosine triphosphate
adenine base, ribose sugar and three phosphates
energy transfer molecule
how is ATP syntheised
through cellular respiration
what enzyme catalyses ATP synthesis
ATP synthase
regenerates by combining ADP and Pi
what are inorganic ions
charged particles in a solution
name a common cation
sodium (Na+)
name an anion
chloride (Cl-)
