3.1.1 monomers and polymers + 3.1.2 carbohydrates Flashcards
The variety of life , both past an present , is extensive , but the biochemical basis of life is similar for all living things
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Monomers are smaller units from which larger molecules are made.
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Polymers are molecules made from a large number of monomers joined together
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Monosaccharides , amino acids and nucleotides are examples of monomers
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A condensation reaction joins two molecules together with the formation of a chemical bond and involves the elimination of a water molecule
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A hydrolysis reaction breaks a chemical bond between two molecules and involved the use of a water molecule
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Monosaccharides are the monomers from which larger carbohydrates are made .
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Some common monosaccharides include:
Glucose
Galactose
Fructose
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A condensation reaction between two monosaccharides forms a glycosidic bond .
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Disaccharides are formed by the condensation reaction of two monosaccharides
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Maltose is a disaccharide formed by the condensation of two glucose molecules
Glucose + Glucose = Maltose
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Sucrose is a disaccharide formed by a condensation reaction between glucose and fructose.
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Lactose is a disaccharide formed by a condensation reaction between a glucose molecule and a galactose molecule.
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Glucose has two isomers . Alpha glucose which has the H group on top and beta glucose which has the OH group on top
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Polysaccharides are formed by the condensation of many glucose units
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Glycogen is a polysaccharide composed of alpha glucose monomers
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Starch is a polysaccharide formed from alpha glucose monomers
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The polysaccharide Cellulose is formed by the condensation reaction of beta glucose molecules
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Glucose is a primary source of energy , it is important that glucose levels in the blood are controlled “blood sugar” as this prevents diabetes
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Benedict’s test
To rest if a sugar is a reducing sugar which means it can donate electrons to a chemical, then benedicts test is conducted , the procedure is putting a food to be tested in soloution and adding benedicts Reagent the contents of the test tube is then boiled in a water bath to observe potential colour change . Benedicts test for reducing sugars is semi quantitative as you can estimate the amount of reducing sugar in a sample by the degree of colour change . A strong positive result would show a red colour change while a weak positive result would show a green colour change.
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All monosaccharides and most disaccharides like lactose and maltose are reducing sugars.
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Sucrose while being a disaccharide is not a reducing sugar
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Some sugars are non reducing to conduct a test for non reducing sugars the following steps are taken
The food being tested is of Ito soloution , hydrochloride acid is added to hydrolyse the bonds and the content of the test tube is boiled in a water bath for 5 minutes , after this sodium hydrogen carbonate is added to neutralise the acid, benedicts reagent is added and a colour change is obseved if the test indeed proves the sample
Is a non reducing sugar , this test is semi quantitative
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To confirm a food contained starch a sample of the food would be placed in solution , iodine would then be added to this solution and the contents of the test tube will then be mixed , the presence of starch is indicated be a blue black colouration.
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