B.1.1 Molecules - CARBOHYDRATES & LIPIDS Flashcards
Outline the number and type of bonds carbon can form with other atoms
Carbon can form FOUR covalent bonds due to having 4 valence electrons
Outline the cause and consequence of covalent bonds between atoms
CAUSE:
1. Atoms want to gain stability by forming a full outer shell of valence electrons
2. Atoms share electrons between them
CONSEQUENCE:
1. Formation of diverse compounds upon which life is based
2. Covalent bonds are the strongest bonds found in biological molecules
What are the common functional groups?
- Hydroxyl group (-OH)
- Carobonyl group (C=O)
- Carboxyl group (-COOH + H2O -> - COO⁻)
- Esters (acid + alcohol -> ester + water)
List four major classes of carbon compounds used by living organisms. Name their sub-units.
- Carbohydrates - monosaccharides
- Lipids - fats (triglycerides), glycerol, fatty acids
- Proteins - amino acids
- Nucleic acids - nucleotides (sugar + phosphate group + nitrogenous base)
List example molecules with the four different types of shapes of carbon compounds
- SHORT & STRAIGHT: amino acid alanine
- LONG & STRAIGHT: fatty acids
- BRANCHED: amino acid valine
- RING: alpha glucose
Define monomer and polymer
Monomers: small molecules which may be joined together in a repeating fashion to form more complex molecules, called polymers
Polymers: Any class of substances that are composed of macromolecules, which are multiples of monomers.
Describe condensation reactions. Describe anabolism.
Condensation reactions are chemical reactions in which two molecules combine to form a larger one, with a simultaneous elimination of a smaller molecule (water).
ANABOLISM is the synthesis of complex molecules from simpler molecules including the formation of macromolecules from monomers by condensation reactions.
CHARACTERISTICS:
1. Macromolecules are made from monomers
2. Water is released
3. A new covalent bond is formed
4. requires energy, endothermic (in the form of ATP)
5. requires specific enzymes
Outline the condensation reactions that form 3 different types of macromolecules
- POLYSACCHARIDES
- monosaccharide monomers join together
- glycosidic bond is formed
- water is released - POLYPEPTIDES
- NUCLEIC ACIDS
Describe hydrolysis reacitons
CATABOLISM is the breakdown of complex molecules into simpler molecules including the HYDROLYSIS Of macromolecules into monomers
Hydrolysis is the DIGESTION of polymer into monomers with the requirement of specific ENZYMES
- Requires enzymes that are specific to the molecules they are breaking down
- Macromolecules are broken into monomers
- Hydrolysis occurs, water is used to lyse/break the macromolecule
- Releases energy, exothermic
Identify pentose and hexose carbohydrates
Hexose – party hat man!
Outline the properties of glucose referring to solubility, transportability, stability, and energy yield from oxidation
SOLUBILITY:
- highly soluble
- hydrophilic
- forms hydrogen bonds
TRANSPORTABILITY:
- transports through the body via the bloodstream
- transport proteins like glucose transporters (GLUTs)
- hormone insulin regulates glucose uptake
STABILITY:
- relatively stable
- glucose can tus be later used without degradation
ENERGY YIELD FROM OXIDATION:
- glycolysis: glucose partially broken down -> ATP + pyruvate
- pyruvate is oxidised through citric acid cycle & oxidative phosphorylation
Compare the structure and function of amylose, amylopectin, and glycogen
GLYCOGEN:
1. 1’-4’ AND 1’-6’ glycosidic linkages
2. Made by animals and some fungi, found in liver & muscles
3. Polyssacharide formed by monosaccharide alpha-glucose via condensation reactions
4. Compact structure allows for large volume of glucose that acts as energy storage compound in cells
5. Insoluble and doesn’t effect osmotic potential or intake of water
STARCH - AYMLOPECTIN:
1. 1’-4’ AND 1’-6’ glycosidic linkages
2. ONLY branching/helical molecules
3. Polyssacharide formed by monosaccharide alpha-glucose via condensation reactions
4. Stored in root cells/leaves (temporary)/ amyloplast (plastid) as energy storage
5. Hydrophilic but insoluble due to size, doesn’t affect osmotic balance
STARCH - AMYLOSE:
1. ONLY 1’-4’ glycosidic linkages
2. Linear AND helical molecule
3. Polyssacharide formed by monosaccharide alpha-glucose via condensation reactions
4. Stored in root cells/leaves (temporary)/ amyloplast (plastid) as energy storage
5. Hydrophilic but insoluble due to size, doesn’t effect osmotic balance
Discuss the benefit of polysaccharide coiling and branching during polymerisation
- Compact/dense storage
- Efficient use of space
- Rapid energy release
Explain how condensation or hydrolysis of alpha-glucose monomers build or mobilise energy stores
CONDENSATION:
1. glycogen formation in animals for energy stores
2. starch formation in plants for energy stores
HYDROLYSIS
1. glycogen breakdown via hydrolysis
- Enzyme glycogen phosphorylases cleave alpha-1,4-glycosidic bonds that release glucose-1-phosphate
- molecules convert into glucose-6-phosphate
- enters glycolysis for energy production as part of cellular respiration
2. Starch undergoes hydrolysis
- Enzyme amylase cleaves alpha-1,5- glycosidic bonds in both amylose and amylopctin
- glucose moleules can be used for energy or other metabolic processes
Compare the structure of alpha-glucose and beta-glucose
Glucose’s two incomers have a difference in the orientation in the (-OH) hydroxyl group that is connected to the first carbon atom (on the right).
Alpha: on the bottom as HO
Beta: on the top as OH