B1.1 Carbohydrates and Lipids Flashcards
What are macromolecules?
Macromolecules are giant molecules that are often polymers. They have large, complex molecules composed of repeating units of monomers covalently linked together.
What is a carbohydrate?
They are organic compounds containing carbon hydrogen and oxygen. They consist of one or more simple sugars. (1:2:1 ratio of C : H : O)
Commonly ring shaped molecules.
What is a carbohydrates main function?
Quick and short term energy storage, like a sugar rush.
What are the two types of carbohydrates?
Monosaccharides and polysaccarides
What is glucose?
Glucose (C6H12O6) forms a hexagonal ring and is the form of sugar that fuels respiration
How does OH work in glucose?
This hydroxyl (OH) group is found 5 times in the molecule and is a polar covalent bond. This makes glucose a polar molecule.
How does glucose being polar affect the molecule?
It is stable as the bonds do not break easily, highly soluble in water, easy transportable because of its solvency, lots of energy when bonds are broken because they are stable.
Difference between alpha glucose and beta glucose?
Beta glucose has its -OH group attached above the ring, alpha glucose has its -OH group linked below the ring.
What is galactose?
It is a hexose sugar with the same formula as glucose, but less sweet. Found in milk, its OH and H bond on the left are flipped.
What is fructose?
It is a pentose sugar but with six carbons, found in fruits and honey. Same formula again as glucose.
What is ribose?
It is a pentose sugar. Forms backbone of RNA. Deoxyribose lacks a hydroxyl group on carbon 2 and forms the backbone of DNA.
How do two saccharides link?
Two monosaccharides are linked by a glycosidic linkage between two hydroxyl groups. Water is therefore made as a product (condensation reaction)
What are polysaccharides?
Many monosaccharides linked together. (Starch, glycogen and cellulose). Made by linking glucose together, 1-4 carbons and then 1-6 carbons that make branches.
Properties of cellulose
Made by linking beta glucose, carbon 1-4 links, the glucose flips so it creates a straight chain, very high tensile strength.
Properties of starch
Made by linking alpha glucose, carbon 1-4 links, the glucose stays the same way and therefore creates something curved, does not affect the osmotic balance of cells,
Properties of glycogen
Branches many times (occur when condensation reactions link carob 1-6), insoluble storage molecule in the liver
Properties of glycoproteins
Oligosaccharide chain attached. the proteins are covalently bonded to carbohydrates, important for cell recognition
Function of lipids
Long term energy storage, insulates, insoluble in water, dissolve in non polar solvents
What is a phospholipid?
A lipid composed of a glycerol molecule bonded to two fatty acids and a phosphate group with an R group
Properties of steroids
Four fused carbon rings, reduce inflammation, hydrophobic and can pass through the lipid bilayer
Properties of waxes
Lipids composed of long carbon based chains, prevent water loss
What are triglycerides?
One glycerol molecule and three fatty acids linked by ester bonds,
What are saturated fatty acids?
Contain the maximum amount go hydrogen atoms (no double bonds between carbons), straight chain, solid at room temp
What are monounsaturated fatty acids?
One double bond between carbon atoms, liquid at room temp, “kinks” in the double bond
