Basic Macromolecules Flashcards
What are 3 other names for biomolecules?
macromolecules, organic molecules, polymer
What are common elements that make up macromolecules?
C, H, O, N, S, P
Monomers
* How are they formed?
* What type of reaction to form them (catabolic vs anabolic)?
* is it endergonic or exergonic?
* What type of bonds are between them?
- hydrolysis of polymers (through addition of a water mlc)
- catabolic rxn
- EXergonic (releases energy)
- covalent bonds
Polymers
* How are they formed?
* What type of reaction to form them (catabolic vs anabolic)?
* is it endergonic or exergonic?
- monomers covalently bond together via dehydration/ condensation rxn (through removal of water mlc)
- anabolic rxn (building)
- ENdergonic (requires energy to build)
What are examples of polymers?
- proteins aka polypeptides
- polysaccharides (carbs)
- lipids (fats, oils, phospholipids, steroids, waxes)
- nucleic acids (DNA, RNA, ATP)
What are proteins (most general definition)
AA joined together by peptide bonds
What is the monomer of proteins? What are the parts of that monomer?
AA
* central alpha carbon with 4 valence electrons that can make 4 covalent bonds
* H
* R group aka side chain that dictates the chemical properties of the AA [can be hydrophobic or hydrophilic)
* amino group -NH2 (removed by liver deaminases during protein metabolism)
* carboxyl group- COOH
How many unique amino acids are there?
20
What is the general function of proteins (3)?
- transport carrier (ie. channels)
- cell signaling (receptors)
- cell structure
also, ID the cell (glycoproteins and lipoproteins)
What are the 3 general examples of proteins?
- structural (hydrophobic)
- globular (hydrophilic)
- cell membrane
Give examples of structural proteins
- kertain (found in hair, nails, and epidermis of the skin - superficial skin)
- collagen (found in dermis of the skin and the organic portion of the bone matrix for resilience and flexibility of bone)
these are hydrophobic
Give examples of globular proteins
- enzymes
- Hb (carrying oxygen in RBC)
- antibodies (made by plasma B cells)
- hormones
- receptors
- motor proteins
these are hydrophilic
Give examples of cell membrane proteins
- channels (for transport)
- receptors (for cell signaling)
- glycoproteins (and lipoproteins) (for ID’ing the cell, ie antigens that are also there to start immune response)
Describe enzymes
- catalyze biochemical reactions through speeding up rxns by lowering the activation energy
- NOT consumed by the reaction
- catalyze endergonic (require energy) and exergonic (releases energy) reactions
- energy is supplied and released in the form of ATP
- lock and key with enyzme active site and substrate
What are 4 factors that influence enzyme activity/ rate of rxn
- temp- the higher temp = increases enzyme activity BUT too hot can denature the protein, so there IS an optimal temp range for enzyme function
- pH - there is an optimal pH for every enzyme to work
- salt (ions) - disrupts the protein’s ionic bonds, so that is why put salt in fruits to disrupt bacterial protein’s ionic bonds = INHIBITS bacterial growth
- number of enzymes- more enzymes = faster the reaction
What are some food examples of proteins?
egg whites, chicken
What is the monomer of enzymes?
AA
since most enzymes are proteins
Describe carbs (think about the flow chart)
in ipad
Complex carbs are broken down into what?
mostly glucose
What are the simple carbs (2 general categories)? What are 2 other names for it?
- monosaccharides and disaccharides
- sugars and simple sugars
What are the exact monosaccharides? Describe in what type of food they are found
- glucose (C6H12O6)- MOST important form of cellular fuel esp to brain and nervous system (found in fruits and veggies, honey, corn syrup)
- fructose- SWEETEST (so is most ‘bad’/ dangerous bc after liver uses as much as it can to make ATP, IMMEDIATELY it is stored as fat, so if high fructose diet can lead to NAFLD) (found in fruits and veggies, honey, high fructose corn syrup in soda, candy, and highly processed foods)
- galactose - monosaccharide form is rarely present in food
a simple sugar
What is the monomer of carbohydrates? What are specific examples?
monosaccharide (ratio of C:H:O is CnH2nOn) and is mostly C6H12O6
* glucose, fructose, galactose
a simple sugar aka sugar and simple carb
What are the 2 categories that carbs can be broken down into? What are other ways to call those categories?
- simple carbs aka sugars aka simple sugars
- complex carbs aka polysaccharides
What are the polymers of carbs?
- disaccharides (a simple sugar)
- polysaccharides (a complex sugar)
What are the exact disaccharides? What food items contain these?
- maltose - glucose + glucose (not found appreciably in foods)
- sucrose (table sugar) - glucose + fructose (found in maple syrup, honey)
- lactose (milk sugar)- glucose + galactose (found in dairy products of milk, yogurt, and cheese)
a simple sugar
What breaks down lactose? What happens when you don’t have this?
- lactase into glucose and galactose
- lactose intolerance (sx of diarrhea, etc)
What are all complex carbs monomers?
glucose BUT have diff structure and types of bonds