Bio Chapter 3 - Biological Molecules Flashcards
Why do all lining organisms need food and water?
Contains nutrients essential for us
What are the 6 functions of water
Dissolves substances for chemical reactions that take place in living things. Essential for photosynthesis. Keeps cells turgid and firm. Transport mineral salts.regulate body. Transport dissolved substances within the body.
Describe sugars
Sweet. Soluble in water → lower water potential of the solution.
Give the three classifications of carbohydrates
Single sugars, double sugars and complex carbohydrates
What are the two single sugars?
Glucose and fructose
What are the two double sugars?
Maltose and sucrose
What are the three complex carbs?
Starch, cellulose, glycogen
Describe single sugars
Basic unit of carbs, can pass through cell membranes and can be absorbed into cells
Describe double sugars
Formed when two single sugars are joined together
What’s the structure of maltose?
Glucose + glucose
What is the structure of sucrose?
Glucose + fructose
What is the structure of starch
Made up of several thousand glucose molecules joined together
What is the role of starch?
Stores carbohydrates in plants. in humans, it is digested into glucose to provide energy for cell activity
Where is starch found?
Storage organs of plants
What is the structure of cellulose?
Made up of many glucose molecules joined together bonded differently from starch
What is the role of cellulose?
Protects plants cells from bursting or damage
Cannot be digested so it acts as dietary fibre that aids in digestion/ prevents constipation in humans
Where is cellulose found?
Cell walls of plants
What is the structure of glycogen?
A branched molecule made up of many glows molecules joined together
What is the role of glycogen?
Stores carbohydrates in mammals. Digested into glucose to provide energy for cell activity
Where is glycogen found?
Liver and muscles
What are the 5 functions of carbohydrates
Source and store of energy,
supporting structures such as cellulose in plants,
formation of nucleic acids such as DNA,
to make lubricants such as mucus,
covering the inner surface of the trachea and traps dust particles preventing dust from entering the lungs
To make nectar in some flowers
Give 3 examples of reducing sugars
Glucose, fructose and maltose
How to test for reducing sugars?
Benedict’s solution
Add 2cm3 of each food sample into a test tube
Add 2cm3 of Benedicts solution to food sample
Shake mixture and place test tube in boiling water bath for 2 to 3 minutes
Observe colour of solution
What are the results of the Benedict’s test?
Blue → none
Blue to green → traces
Blue to yellow / orange precipitate → moderate amount
Blue to brick-red precipitate → large amount