1.1 — introduction to biological molecules Flashcards
what are the four types of molecules that all living organisms consist of?
carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and nucleic acids
what does a biological molecule being organic mean?
it means that it contains carbon
what elements do carbohydrates contain?
carbon, hydrogen and oxygen
what elements do lipids contain?
carbon, hydrogen and oxygen
what elements do proteins contain?
carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen
what elements do nucleic acids contain?
carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen and phosphorus
most carbohydrates, proteins, and nucleic acids are ________, made up of small units known as ________. what are the missing terms?
polymers/monomers.
what is a monomer?
a monomer is a smaller unit that combines to make a large molecule (polymer)
what is a polymer?
a large molecule made up of many smaller units (polymers) which are joined together by covalent bonds
what is the process by which monomers join to form a polymer?
polymerisation
what are the monomers and polymers of the biological molecule carbohydrates?
monosaccharides and polysaccharides
what are the monomers and polymers of the biological molecule protein?
amino acids and polypeptides
what are the monomers and polymers of the biological molecule nucleic acids?
nucleotides and polynucleotides
what reaction synthesises polymers?
condensation reaction
what reaction breaks down polymers?
hydrolysis reaction
