2.1 MOLECULES TO METABOLISM Flashcards
organic compounds
compound that contain carbons and is found in living things
what is so special about carbon?
carbon atoms can form 4 covalent bonds
these allows carbon to form a wide variety of organic compounds that are chemically stable
Metabolism
all chemical reactions that take place within cells and organisms
Key functions of Metabolic reactions
- Provide a source of energy for cellular processes
- Enable synthesis and assimilations of new materials use within the cell
Anabolism
the set of metabolic reactions that build up complex molecules from simpler ones
Catabolism
the set of metabolic reactions that break complex molecules down into simpler molecules
Carbohydrates main function
- source of energy and short-term energy storage
- Recognition molecules
- Structural proteins
Monosacharides
simplest form of carbohydrate
- Glucose (hextose)
→ Sugar to fuel cell respiration - Galactose (hextose)
→ Found in milk - Fructose (pentose)
→ Found in fruits and honey - Ribose (pentose)
→ Forms backbone of RNA
Dissaccharides
the sugar formed when two monosaccharides are joined together by condensation reactions
- Maltose
→ glucose + glucose
→ sugar stored in seeds to fuel germination - Lactose
→galactose + galactose
→ sugar in milk to nurish babies - Sucrose
→ glucose + fructose
→ sugar that transports through plants
polysaccharides
long chains of monosaccharides bonded together
- Cellulose
→straight unbranched
→ Beta glucose
→ strong - makes up plant cell walls - Starch
→ Helical shape
→ Alpha glucose
Amylose & Amylopectin
→ Amylopectin - chain is branched
→ Amylose - chain of alpha glucose, un-branched, forms helix - Glycogen
→ made up of repeating glucose
→ branched, not simple chain
→ Alpha glucose
Condesantion reaction
chemical reaction in which two molecules are joined together to make a larger molecules with the loss of a water molecule
Lipids functions
- Major component of cell membranes
- Used as long-term energy storage
- Function as signalling molecule
- Insulation
fatty acids
long hydrocarbon chains that are found in certain types of lipids
saturated vs unsaturated
Saturated
→ No double bonds
→ Linear structure
→ Originated from animals
→ Solid at room temperature
Unsaturated
→ Yes double bonds
→ Bent in structure
→ Originates from plants
→ Liquid at room temperature
Unsaturated fatty acids (cis vs trans)
Cis
→ Very common in nature
→ loosely packed
→ triglycerides have low melting points
→ hydrogens are on the same side
Trans
→ rare in nature
→ Double bond does not cause bend
→ Closely packed
→ triglycerides have high melting point
→ hydrogens are on opposite sides
triglycerides main function
long-term energy storage
animals → fat
plants → oils
how do saturated fats affect cholesterol levels
increase LDL
how do trans fats affect cholesterol levels
increase LDL and decrease HDL
how do unsaturated fats affect cholesterol levels
increase HDL
Health risks of high cholesterol
hardens and narrows arteries
the LDL particle will form deposits on the walls of the arteries → restrict blood flow
coronary heart disease
Lipid health claim
- Diets rich in saturated fats and trans fats increase the risk of CHD
- Diets rich in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats decrease the risk of CHD
Lipids vs Carbohydrates (energy storage)
Lipids
→ slow release of energy
→ able to store long term
→ x2 storage than carbohydrates
→ Not water soluble - difficult to transfer
Carbohydrates
→ fast release of energy
→ Quickly digested and used
→ 1/2 the storage to lipids
→ Water soluble - easy to transfer
Body Mass Index
provides a measure of relative mass based on the weight and height of the individual
BMI = mass in kg / (height in metres) squared
Nanograms
Display height and weight on a perpendicular axes
Dipeptides
Amino acids covalently joined together in a condensation reaction
Polypeptides
long chains of covalently bonded amino acids
Protein functions
- Structure – e.g. collagen, spider silk
- Hormones – e.g. insulin, glucagon
- Immunity – e.g. immunoglobulins
- Transport – e.g. haemoglobin
- Sensation – e.g. rhodopsin
- Movement – e.g. actin, myosin
- Enzymes – e.g. Rubisco, catalase
Fibrous vs Globular
Fibrous
Long and narrow
Structural (strength and support)
Insoluble in water
Repetitive amino acid sequence
Less sensitive to changes in heat, pH, etc
ex. Collagen, myosin, fibrin, actrin, keratin
Globular
Rounded / spherical
Functional (catalytic, transport, etc)
Soluble in water
Irregular amino acid sequence
More sensitive to changes in heat, pH, etc.
Catalase, haemoglobin, insulin, immunoglobulin
proteome
amount of proteins a cell, tissue or organism can make
which one is larger proteome or genome?
proteome
