1.1 (1) - Biological Molecules Flashcards
Introduction to biological molecules Carbohydrates and monosaccharides Carbohydrates - disaccharides and polysaccharides Starch, glycogen and cellulose Lipids Proteins Enzyme action Enzyme inhibition
What is a monomer?
1 single unit of a polymer
What is a polymer?
A chain of monomers, making a larger molecule
What is the function of carbohydrates?
- Commonly used as respiratory substrates
- Structural components in plasma membranes and cell walls
What is the function of lipids?
- Insulation
- Energy source
- Help create cell membranes
What is the function of proteins?
Form many cell structures
What is the function of nucleic acid?
Used for production to make genetic material
What is a respiratory substrate?
A molecule that can release energy to produce ATP in a cell
What kind of sugar is a monosaccharide?
Hexose sugar
What is the difference between an ɑ-glucose and a β-glucose?
ɑ-glucoses have their hydroxyl below Carbon 1
β-glucoses have their hydroxyl above Carbon 1
What kind of reaction are monosaccharides formed during?
Condensation reaction
What bond are 2 monosaccharides joined together in a disaccharide by?
Glycosidic bond (covalent)
What is a carbohydrate monomer called?
Monosaccharide
What are the 3 main monosaccharides?
- Glucose
- Fructose
- Galactose
What are 2 monosaccharides joined together called?
Disaccharides
What are the 3 main disaccharides?
- Maltose
- Sucrose
- Lactose
What 2 monosaccharides make up maltose?
2 ɑ-glucoses
What 2 monosaccharides make up sucrose?
1 glucose and 1 fructose
What 2 monosaccharides make up lactose?
1 glucose and 1 galactose
What are many monosaccharides joined together called?
Polysaccharides
What are the 3 main polysaccharides?
- Cellulose
- Glycogen
- Starch
What monosaccharides is cellulose made up of?
Chains of β-glucoses
What monosaccharides is glycogen made up of?
Chains of ɑ-glucoses
What monosaccharides is starch made up of?
Chains of ɑ-glucoses
What is a condensation reaction?
When two monosaccharides join and a water molecule is removed
What is a hydrolysis reaction?
When water is added to a disaccharide to break the glycosidic bond between the 2 monosaccharides
What is a reducing sugar?
One that can donate electrons to another chemical
Describe the Benedict’s Test
1) Add 2cm3 of food sample to a test tube in a paste / liquid form
2) Add 2cm3 of Benedict’s reagent
3) Heat the mixture gently over a water bath for 5 minutes
What are the test results (colours) for the Benedict’s Test?
Blue - None present Green - Trace Yellow - Low Orange/red - Moderate Maroon - High
Is the Benedict’s Test quantitative or semi-quantitative?
Semi-quantitative
What is a semi-quantitative test?
It doesn’t measure the precise quantity of a substance, BUT the result expresses an estimate of how much of a detected substance is present (eg. colour spectrum)
What is the test for non-reducing sugars?
1) Make sure the food sample is liquid
2) Add 2cm3 of food sample to 2cm3 of Benedict’s reagent in a test tube → filter
3) Place test tube in water bath for 5 minutes. If the colour does NOT change, reducing sugars are NOT present
4) In a new test tube, add 2cm3 of food sample to 2cm3 dilute hydrochloric acid (DHA) and put into a water bath for 5 minutes. The DHA will hydrolyse any NON-REDUCING disaccharides present into its REDUCING monosaccharides
5) Slowly add some sodium hydrogen carbonate solution to the test tube (neutralising it). Test with pH paper, the solution should be alkaline
6) Re-test the resulting solution by heating it with 2cm3 Benedict’s reagent in a water bath for 5 minutes
7) If a non-reducing sugar was present in the original sample, the reagent will now turn brown-orange, because of the reducing sugars that were produced from the hydrolysis of the non-reducing sugars