B1.1 Carbohydrates and Lipids SL Flashcards
What are carbohydrates composed of?
Carbohydrates are molecules consisting of carbon (C), hydrogen (H), and oxygen (O) – typically in a consistent ratio of (CH2O)n.
What is the monomeric subunit of a carbohydrate?
The monomeric subunit of a carbohydrate is a monosaccharide (single sugar unit).
What are the functions of carbohydrates?
Carbohydrates are commonly used in nutrition as an energy source, cell recognition (glycoproteins), and structure (cellulose).
What are lipids?
Lipids are non-polar hydrophobic molecules that typically consist of either unbranched chains (fatty acids) or ringed structures (steroids).
What are the main functions of lipids?
Lipids serve as the main structural component of cell membranes (phospholipids and cholesterol) and may also be utilized for energy storage (triglycerides).
How many bonds can a carbon atom form?
A carbon atom can form up to four single bonds or a combination of single and double bonds.
What are the four main groups of organic compounds?
The four main groups are carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids, and proteins.
What is the role of proteins in cells?
Proteins perform a vast array of functions within the cell, including catalysis (enzymes), structure, signaling, and transport.
What is polymerization?
Polymers can be formed from monomeric subunits via condensation reactions.
What is hydrolysis?
Hydrolysis is the process where water molecules are split to provide -H and -OH groups that produce monomers.
What are pentoses and hexoses?
Pentoses and hexoses are monosaccharides that can exist in straight-chain form as well as in ring form.
What are polysaccharides used for?
Polysaccharides serve as energy storage compounds, such as starch in plants and glycogen in animals.
What is the structure of cellulose?
Cellulose consists of alternating orientation of beta-glucose monomers, giving straight chains that can be grouped in bundles.
What are glycoproteins?
Glycoproteins are formed when carbohydrates are attached to proteins and play key roles in cell–cell recognition.
What are the common types of lipids?
Common lipids include triglycerides, phospholipids, and steroids.
What are the hydrophobic properties of lipids?
Lipids are insoluble in water but soluble in non-polar organic solvents.
What is the difference between saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated fatty acids?
Saturated fatty acids have no double bonds, monounsaturated fatty acids have one double bond, and polyunsaturated fatty acids have multiple double bonds.
What is the difference between saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated fatty acids?
Saturated fatty acids have straight chains that are tightly packed, while unsaturated fatty acids have kinked chains that are more loosely packed.
What are fats and how do they differ from oils?
Fats (saturated) are solid at room temperature due to tightly packed chains, while oils (unsaturated) are liquid due to kinked chains.
Why do organisms store lipids as fats or oils?
The storage form depends on the organism’s physiology and environment, needing fatty acids that remain liquid at normal body temperatures.
How do endotherms and ectotherms differ in lipid storage?
Endotherms produce more saturated fats for higher body temperatures, while ectotherms produce cis-unsaturated oils to avoid solidification in cold.
What type of fats do cold water fish oils provide?
Cold water fish oils are rich in polyunsaturated fats, which are essential for the human diet (omega-3 & omega-6).
How do plants differ in their lipid production?
Plants predominantly produce cis-unsaturated oils, but tropical plants produce more saturated fats than temperate plants.
What is the role of triglycerides in adipose tissues?
Triglycerides are used for long-term energy storage and thermal insulation in animals.
