Bio1 Lesson 1: Biological Molecules and Enzymes Flashcards
What is the key solvent for all biochemical reactions within cells?
Water
Is water large/small and polar/nonpolar?
Small, polar
What is hydrogen bonding?
Intermolecular bonding between H, F, O, or N
What is a solvation sell?
A shell of solvent surrounding a solute
What type of reaction uses water to break molecules?
Hydrolysis reactions
In what type of reaction is water a byproduct of combining molecules?
Dehydration/condensation reactions
Are lipids polar/nonpolar and hydrophilic/hydrophobic?
Nonpolar, hydrophobic
What are the 3 major roles of lipids?
1) Energy storage, 2) Cellular organization and structure (especially in membrane), 3) Precursor for vitamins and hormones
What are the 7 major classifications of lipids?
1) Fatty Acids, 2) Triacylglycerols/Triglycerides, 3) Phospholipids, 4) Glycolipids, 5) Steroids, 6) Terpenes and Eicosanoids, 7) Waxes
What are fatty acids and what are their roles?
- Long chains of carbon truncated at one end by a carboxylic acid
- Building blocks for complex lipids
- Body fuel and components of cell membranes
Describe a saturated fatty acid and its function.
- Only single bonds
- Hang straight
- Prefer to be stored when there is excess energy
Describe an unsatured fatty acid and its function.
- One or more double/triple bonds
- Kinked structure
- Used for energy
Describe the structure and function of phospholipids.
- Glycerol attached to 2 fatty accid chains + a polar phosphate group
- Amphipathic
- Structural component of membrane
Describe the structure and function of glycolipids.
- Glycerol attached to 2 fatty acid chains + 1 or more carbohydrates (sugars)
- Amphipathic
- Found in membranes of myelinated cells
Describe the structure and function of steroids.
- 4-ringed structures
- Include some hormones, Vitamin D, cholesterol
- Metabolic activity
Which classification of lipids is cholesterol part of and what is its function?
- Steroids
- Maintains membrane stability and fluidity
- Precursor for steroid hormones
Describe the function of terpenes and eicosanoids.
- Pigments
- Paracrine signalling (communication with neighbour cells)
- Some serve as local hormones
Describe the structure and function of waxes.
- Ester linkage between a long-chain alcohol and a long-chain fatty accid
- Protects from water loss, pathogens, and parasites
Describe the strucutre and function of lipoproteins.
-Have a lipid hydrophobic core (triacylglycerols and cholesterol)
surrounded by phospholipids and apoproteins
-Used to transport lipids in blood
What are the 4 classes of lipoproteins in decreasing size and ratio of lipid:protein?
1) Chylomicrons: dietary fat
2) VLDL (sticky on arteries)
3) LDL (sticky on arteries)
4) HDL: healthy/good cholesterol
Is Glycine a polar/nonpolar amino acid?
Nonpolar
Is Alanine a polar/nonpolar amino acid?
Nonpolar
Is Valine a polar/nonpolar amino acid?
Nonpolar
Is Leucine a polar/nonpolar amino acid?
Nonpolar
Is Isoleucine a polar/nonpolar amino acid?
Nonpolar
Is Phenylalanine a polar/nonpolar amino acid?
Nonpolar
Is Tryptophan a polar/nonpolar amino acid?
Nonpolar
Is Methionine polar/nonpolar amino acid?
Nonpolar
Is Proline a polar/nonpolar amino acid?
Nonpolar
Is Serine a polar/nonpolar amino acid?
Polar
Is Cysteine a polar/nonpolar amino acid?
Polar
Is Threonine a polar/nonpolar amino acid?
Polar
Is Tyrosine a polar/nonpolar amino acid?
Polar
Is Asparagine a polar/nonpolar amino acid?
Polar
Is Glutamine a polar/nonpolar amino acid?
Polar
Is Aspartate a polar/nonpolar amino acid?
Polar
Is Glutamate a polar/nonpolar amino acid?
Polar
Is Histidine a polar/nonpolar amino acid?
Polar
Is Lysine a polar/nonpolar amino acid?
Polar
Is Arginine a polar/nonpolar amino acid?
Polar
Is Aspartate acidic/basic?
Acidic
Is Glutamate acidic/basic?
Acidic
Is Histidine acidic/basic?
Basic
Is Lysine acidic/basic?
Basic