1A Chemistry For Biologists Flashcards
Dipole
Separation of charge in a molecule where the electrons are not evenly shared
Hydrogen bonds
Weak electrostatic bonds created between polar molecules containing at least one hydrogen atom
Polymer
Long chain molecule made up of many smaller, repeating monomer units
Monosaccharide
Single sugar monomer
Disaccharide
Sugar made up of two monosaccharide units joined together by glycosidic bonds
Polysaccharide
Polymer made up of long chain molecules of monosaccharides joined together by glycosidic bonds
Isomers
Molecules that have the same chemical formula but different molecular structures
Condensation reaction
A reaction in which a water molecule is lost from the reacting molecules as a bond is formed between them
Glycosidic bond
A covalent bond formed between two monosaccharides in a condensation reaction which can be broken down by a hydrolysis reaction
Hydrolysis
A reaction in which bonds are broken down by the addition of a water molecule
Amylose
An unbranched carbohydrate with multiple a-glucose monomer units that has only 1,4-glycosidic bonds and has slow hydrolysis.
Amylopectin
A branched carbohydrate with multiple a-glucose monomer units and has both 1,4 and 1,6-glycosidic bonds and has rapid hydrolysis
Glycogen
A branched carbohydrate that has multiple a-glucose monomer units and has both 1,4 and 1,6-glycosidic bonds and conducts rapid hydrolysis (chemically similar to amylopectin but longer)
Which atom in the water molecule is slightly more negative than the other?
Oxygen
Why is it called a 1,4-glycosidic bond
Because it occurs between the 1st carbon of one molecule and the 4th carbon of another molecule
Why is water described as a polar molecule?
The water molecule is dipole which means that the oxygen is slightly more negative compared to the hydrogen atoms which are more positive.
Water has a high heat capacity. Explain why this makes water a good habitat for living organisms.
The large number of hydrogen bonds in water ensures that it takes a lot of energy to increase the temperature in water. The lack of fluctuation in the temperature provides a stable environment for living organisms.
Suggest why glucose is soluble in water.
Since the glucose molecule is a polar substance it can form hydrogen bonds with water and dissolve in it. (Make sure glucose is the subject)
Lipids
Organic molecules that are important in cell/membranes and as an energy store
Ester bonds
Bonds formed in a condensation reaction between the carboxyl group (COOH) of a fatty acid and hydroxyl group (OH) of glycerol.
Saturated fatty acids
Fatty acids which contain only single covalent bonds
Unsaturated fatty acid
Fatty acids that contain at least one double covalent bond
Triglyceride
1 glycerol + 3 fatty acids
Esterification
The process by which ester bonds are made
Haemoglobin
Red pigment that carries oxygen in erythrocytes
Amino acids
The building blocks of proteins which consists of one amino group (NH3), one carboxyl group (COOH) and one R group which changes between amino acids.
Peptide bond
The bond formed between amino acids through a condensation reaction
Dipeptide
Two amino acids joined together by a peptide bond
Polypeptide
Long chain of amino acids joined together by peptide bonds
Disulfide bond
Strong covalent bond formed between to cysteine (sulfur containing) molecules through an oxidation reaction
Fibrous protein
Proteins that have long, parallels polypeptide chains with occasional cross linkages, often have no tertiary structure (collagen), very strong and tough and are insoluble
Desaturation
Loss of the 3D shape of a protein
Collagen
Fibrous protein with a triple helix structure
Globular proteins
Proteins that have a spherical shape and have complex tertiary and sometimes quaternary structures, can be hydrophilic (inside) or hydrophobic (outside)
Prosthetic group
Molecule that combines with the protein in a conjugated protein
Conjugated proteins
Protein molecules that join with another molecule referred to as the prosthetic group
Lipoproteins
Conjugated proteins with a lipid prosthetic group
Glycoproteins
Conjugated proteins with a carbohydrate prosthetic group
