1. Biological Molecules–Key Words Flashcards
Definitions
Monomer
A molecule that can be bonded to other similar molecules to form a polymer.
Polymer
Large molecules formed when very small similar molecules, called monomers, bond together.
Condensation
The joining together of molecules with a chemical bond and the elimination of water.
Hydrolysis
The breaking of the chemical bond between two molecules in a reaction involving a water molecule.
Isomers
Compounds with the same formula but a different arrangement of atoms in the molecule, giving different functions.
Monosaccharides
Monomers from which larger carbohydrates are made from. (e.g. glucose and fructose)
Glycosidic Bond
Covalent bond that joins a carbohydrate molecule to another, always an oxygen bond. [ – O – ]
Disaccharides
Formed by the condensation of two monosaccharides which form a glycosidic bond
Sucrose
Alpha glucose molecule and fructose
Maltose
2 alpha glucose molecules
Lactose
Glucose and galactose
Polysaccharide
Formed by the condensation of many monosaccharide to form a glycosidic bond
Benedict’s Test
A simple biochemical reaction to detect the presence of reducing sugars
Biuret Test
A simple biochemical reaction to detect the presence of protein
Collagen
Fibrous protein that is the main constituent of connective tissues such as tendons, cartilage, and bone
Hydrogen Bond
A chemical bond formed between positive charge on a H atom and the negative charge on another atom of an adjacent molecule
Mono-Unsaturated Fatty acid
Fatty acid that possesses a carbon chain with a single double bond
Peptide Bond
The chemical bond formed between two amino acids during condensation
Phospholipid
Triglycerides in which one of the three fatty acids molecule is replaced by a phosphate molecule
Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid
Fatty acid that possesses carbon chains with many double bonds
Primary Structure of a Protein
The sequence of amino acids that makes up the polypeptides of a protein
Quaternary Structure of a Protein
A number of polypeptide chains linked together, and sometimes associated with non-protein groups, to form a protein.
Saturated Fatty Acid
A fatty acid in which there are no double bonds between the carbon atoms
Secondary Structure of a Protein
The way in which the chain of amino acids of the polypeptides of a protein is folded
Tertiary Structure of a Protein
The folding of a whole peptide chain in a precise way, as determined by the amino acids of which it is composed
Triglyceride
An individual lipid molecule made up of a glycerol molecule and three fatty acids
Unsaturated Fatty Acid
A fatty acid in which there are one or more double bonds between the carbon atoms
