1.2 Biological Molecules Flashcards
What is a monomer
Smaller units from which a larger molecule is made
What is a polymer
Lots of monomers joined together
What are monosaccharides
Simple monomer carbohydrates
What 3 monosaccharides are there
Glucose, Fructose and Galactose
What is a disaccharide
2 monosaccharides joined together
What 3 disaccharides are there
Sucrose, Lactose, Maltose
What bond occurs between the 1,4 carbons
A glycosidic bond
What reaction joins the 2 monosaccharides together and how does this occur
A condensation reaction and it removes water to allow a 1,4 glycosidic bond to the oxygen
How is the glycosidic bond broken
A hydrolysis reaction will break the bond due to the addition of water
What is a polysaccharide
A chain of monosaccharides
How does the structure of a polysaccharide affect its function
1) They are very compact - so large numbers can be easily stored
2) The glycosidic bonds are easily broken - lots of energy can be
released quickly
3) They’re not very soluble - allows for no osmotic movements
What are the properties of starch
Made of a-glucose
The helix structure makes it good for storage
What 2 polysaccharides make up starch
Amylose
Amylopectin
What are the properties of amylose
Long, Unbranched and Coiled
- Coiled structure makes it compact so good for storage
What are the properties of amylopectin
Long and Branched
- Branches allow enzymes to break it down easily so glucose can
be released quickly
What are the properties of cellulose
Polymer of b-glucose
Forms chains which run parallel to the hydrogen bonds to form microfibrils ; which are strong
What are the properties of glycogen
Made of a-glucose
Has a branched structure
Less dense + more soluble than starch
- broken down quicker
- higher metabolic rates
What are lipids made up of
Hydrocarbons
What are the 2 types of lipids
1) Triglycerides
2) Phospholipids
What are the properties of triglycerides
Insoluble and non-polar
Contains 3 fatty acids which are attached to 1 glycerol
When combined together they form an ester bond
What are the properties of phospholipids
Phosphate head is polar and hydrophilic
Tails are non polar and hydrophobic
Contains a phosphate head, 1 glycerol and 2 fatty acids
What are the functions of proteins
Protection- antibodies
Enzymes
Hormones
What are amino acids made up of
NH2 = amino group
COOH = Carboxylic acid group
R group = Side chain - can be made up of anything
What happens in the primary structure of a protein
Linear sequence of amino acids
