2.2 Biological Molecules Flashcards
What is a monomer?
Repeating units that are joined together via condensation reactions to form polymers
What is a polymer?
Molecules that are made up of monomers
What is a condensation reaction?
A chemical reaction that joins monomers together and produces water
What is a hydrolysis reaction?
A chemical reaction that breaks bonds in molecules using water to form smaller units
What are inorganic ions?
Ions found in solution of cytoplasm and body fluids
What are the 4 main inorganic ions and their function?
H+ ions - determine pH of substances like blood (more H+ = lower pH)
Iron ions - component of haemoglobin, essential for blood production
Na+ ions - maintain a balance of body fluid
Phosphate (PO4^3-) ions - component of DNA and ATP
What are the names and results of the 4 biochemical tests?
Benedicts test for (donating) reducing - blue to red
Biuret reagent test for proteins - blue to violet
Emulsion test for lipids - clear to milky
Iodine for starch - yellow to blue/black
What are examples of reducing sugars?
Glucose, Fructose, Galactose, Lactose, Maltose
What are examples of non-reducing sugars?
Sucrose
How do you perform the Benedicts Test?
Add blue copper sulfate solution to sugar.
Heat
Reducing sugar present - blue to red
Non - reducing sugar present - no change
How do you perform the Iodine Test?
Add drops of iodine to substance.
Starch present - yellow to blue/black
How do you perform the Biuret Test?
Add sodium hydroxide (equal amount to substance)
Add copper sulfate solution
Gently mix
Protein present - Blue to lilac/violet
How do you perform the Emulsion Test?
Add 2ml of sample to 5ml of ethanol
Shake to dissolve lipids
Add 5ml of water and mix
Lipids present - clear to cloudy/milky
