B1- BIOLOGICAL MOLECULES Flashcards
3.1.1 Monomers and polymers 3.1.2 Carbohydrates 3.1.3 Lipids
3.1.1 Monomers and polymers
What are Monomers? Include examples
Monomers are small units which are the components of larger molecules.
Examples:
- monosaccharides (glucose, fructose and galactose)
- amino acids
- nucleotides
3.1.1 Monomers and polymers
What are Polymers? Include examples
Polymers are molecules made from a large number of monomers joined together. Examples: - DNA - RNA - Proteins - Polysaccharides
3.1.1 Monomers and polymers
What is a Condensation Reaction?
A condensation reaction joins two monomers together whereby a water molecule
is eliminated
3.1.1 Monomers and polymers
What is a Hydrolysis Reaction?
A hydrolysis reaction breaks a chemical bond between two molecules by the use of a water molecule
3.1.2 Carbohydrates
What are Carbohydrates?
Carbohydrates are molecules which consist only of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen and they are
long chains of sugar units called saccharides
3.1.2 Carbohydrates
What are monosaccharides? What are the three most common examples?
Monosaccharides are the simplest carbohydrates and are monomers from which larger
carbohydrates are made. Glucose, galactose and fructose are common monosaccharides
3.1.2 Carbohydrates
What is the reaction between two monosaccharides. What is the bond formed?
A condensation reaction occurs between two monosaccharides. The bond formed is called a (1,6) or (1,4) Glycosidic Bond
3.1.2 Carbohydrates
Name the three Monosaccharides What is the molecular formula?
Glucose, Fructose and Galactose.
Molecular formula: C(6)H(12)O(6)
3.1.2 Carbohydrates
What are disaccharides?
Disaccharides are formed when two monomers react together.
3.1.2 Carbohydrates
How are these disaccharides formed? :
- Maltose
- Sucrose
- Lactose
Maltose: two glucose molecules
Sucrose: Glucose + Fructose
Lactose: Glucose + Galactose
3.1.2 Carbohydrates
what is glucose?
glucose is used in respiration and comes from carbohydrates we ingest and digest
3.1.2 Carbohydrates
What are the two isomers of glucose? Draw the structures
Alpha and Beta
3.1.2 Carbohydrates
What is a polysaccharide? Give examples
a carbohydrate whose molecules consist of a number of sugar molecules bonded together. Examples: - Starch - Cellulose - Glycogen
3.1.2 Carbohydrates
Describe the structure and function of Starch
Starch is the storage polymer of α glucose in plant cells
- insoluble so will not affect cell water potential
- compact so a lot of energy can be stored in a small space
Starch is a mix of 2 different polysaccharides:
1 ) Amylose: a long chain of α-glucose monomers joined by 1,4-glycosidic bonds. The chain coils in a spiral shape, held together by hydrogen bonds. This shape makes starch well suited to energy storage as it is compact, so takes up little space in the cell, and not very soluble in water, so does not affect the water potential of the cell.
2 ) Amylopectin: branched chains of α-glucose monomers joined by 1,4-glycosidic bonds and 1,6-glycosidic bonds.
- The 1,6-glycosidic bonds form the links which make branches.
- branches mean there are many glucose molecules accessible on the end of chains which can be easily broken off by hydrolysis for use in respiration. Therefore amylopectin can provide a rapid supply of energy.
3.1.2 Carbohydrates
Describe the structure and function of Cellulose
Cellulose is a component of cells walls in plants
- is composed of long, unbranched chains of
beta glucose (β) which are joined by glycosidic bonds
- Microfibrils are strong threads which are
made of long cellulose chains running parallel to one another that are joined together by
hydrogen bonds forming strong cross linkages.
- important in stopping the cell wall
from bursting under osmotic pressure. This is because it exerts inward pressure that stops the
influx of water. This means that cells stay turgid and rigid, helping to maximise the surface area
of plants for photosynthesis.
3.1.2 Carbohydrates
Describe the structure and function of Glycogen
Glycogen is the main energy storage molecule in animals
- formed from many molecules of
alpha glucose (α) joined together by 1, 4 and 1, 6 glycosidic bonds
- has a large number of side
branches meaning that energy can be released quickly as enzymes can act simultaneously on
these branches.
- it is a relatively large but compact molecule thus maximising the amount of energy it can store.
- being insoluble means it will not affect the water
potential of cells and cannot diffuse out of cells
3.1.2 Carbohydrates
Which biochemical tests are suitable for these samples:
- reducing sugars
- lipids
- non-reducing sugars
- starch
- protein
- reducing sugars= Benedicts Test
- lipids- Emulsion Test
- non-reducing sugars- Benedicts Test
- starch- Iodine Test
- protein- Buiret Test
3.1.2 Carbohydrates
What is the test for lipids? What is the method?
Emulsion test for Lipids
- Dissolve sample in ethanol
- Add an equal volume of water and shake the test tube
- A positive result will produce a milky white emulsion