2.1 Metabolic Molecules Flashcards
Molecular biology
living processes in terms of chemical substances involved
Regulation of biological processes
regulated by enzymes, whose gene expression if controlled by DNA (gene activation)
Diversity of stable compounds
Carbon atoms ability to form 4 stable covalent bonds
Organic compound
compound that contains carbon + found in living things
Carbon
forms basis of organic life
-> ability to form large complex molecules via covalent bonding
Main classes of Carbon compounds
- Carbohydrates
- Lipids
- Nucleic Acids
- Protiens
Catenation
stability of bonds between carbon atoms
Schematic of carbon atom
Can share 4 elections with other atoms to form 4 covalent bonds
4 valence electrons, valence shall capacity = 8 electrons
Carbohydrates
CH2O
Most abundant organic compound in nature
Function of carbohydrates
- source of short-term energy
- recognition molecule
- structural component of DNA / RNA
Lipids
Non-polar, hydrophobic molecules
Come in variety of forms (simple, complex or derived)
Function of Lipids
- Major components of cell membranes (phospholipids & cholesterol)
- Long-term energy storage molecule (fats & oils)
- Signalling molecule (steroids)
Nucleic Acids
Genetic material of cells, determines inherited features of an organism (DNA or RNA)
Nucleic acid function
DNA - master code for protein assembly
RNA - role in manufacturing protiens
Proteins
50% of cell’s dry weight
composed of C, H, O, N atoms (some S)
Function of Proteins
- Regulatory molecules involved in catalysis (all enzymes are proteins)
- May function as a structural molecule
- Cellular signalling (transduction pathways)
Complex macromolecules made up of…
monomers
Composition of Carbohydrates, nucleic acids & proteins
monomeric subunits joined to form larger polymers
Composition of Lipids
Do NOT contain monomers
Composed of distinct subunits (e.g triglycerides)
Monomer Subunit of Carbohydrate
Monosaccharides (‘single sugar unit’)
Monomer Subunit of Lipids
Fatty acids / Mono-glycerides
Monomer Subunit of Protein
Amino Acids
Monomer Subunit of Nucleic Acid
Nucleotides
Monosaccharides
Building blocks of disaccharides and polysaccharides
Disaccharide
Two sugar units
Polysaccharide
Many sugar units
Structure of Monosaccharide
Form ring structure
Can exist in different 3D configurations
Examples of Monosaccharides
- Ribose
- Glucose (Alpha & Beta)
Lipids do not contain a recurring monomer
Exist in different classes + vary in structure
Examples of Lipids
- Triglycerides
- Phospholipids
- Waxes
Examples of Lipids
- Triglycerides
- Phospholipids
- Waxes
Component of Lipids’ (triglycerides, phospholipids, waxes) structure
fatty acid chain
Fatty Acid Chain
long chains of hydrocarbons
may or may not contain double bonds
How to differentiate unsaturated vs saturated Fatty acid chain
Double bonded vs non-double bonded