Biochemistry Flashcards
What are the ‘building blocks’ for protein macromolecules?
Amino acids
What are the ‘building blocks’ for polysaccharides?
Carbon, hydrogen and oxygen
What are the ‘building blocks’ for nucleic acids?
Nucleotides / Codons
What are the ‘building blocks’ for lipid aggregates?
Triglycerides and 3 fatty acids
- Carboxyl group and hydrocarbon chain
What macromolecule/s can be made up of branched chains?
polysaccharides / carbohydrates
How many standard amino acids are there?
20
What is the general structure of an amino acid? (diagram is ok)
Alpha carbon
Carboxyl group
Amino Group
“R” Group
How do standard amino acids differ from one another?
The side chain or R group differs between amino acids
Amino acids can be classified using their R group. Why might it be useful to use this classification?
Amino acids with similar properties will allow us to understand why the protein fold is a certain way and whether a particular amino acid can be replaced with another without drastically changing the proteins structure.
What is a peptide bond?
A peptide bond is a chemical bond formed between two molecules when the carboxyl group of one molecule reacts with the amino group of the other molecule, releasing a molecule of water (H2O).
Explain why amino acids are so important
Source of energy
Precursors to other biomolecules
They are the building blocs of the body
What is a Protein primary structure?
Primary structure is the linear order of amino acids in a protein
What is a protein secondary structure?
Secondary structure is the regular geometric structure the amino acids fold into based on their favourable interaction which is determined by their properties.
What is a protein tertiary structure?
Tertiary structure is the native form which the secondary structures fold into based on the properties of the amino acid chains.
What is a protein quaternary structure?
Quaternary structure is when two or more polypeptide structures form together to create a protein.
List two examples of terms that describe different secondary structures that can be found in proteins.
Helix
Sheets
List four of the major roles of protein
Transport
Storage
Motion (of limbs)
Structural support
Lipids should not be considered a true macromolecule because of their structure. Briefly explain.
They are not held together by covalent bonds
Name three major functions of lipids
Fuel
Insulation
Protection
List some examples of lipid aggregates
Micelles
Liposomes
Membranes
Lipoproteins
Give one example of an important monosaccharide
D- Glucose
D- Fructose
D- Ribose
Give one example if important Disaccharides
Sucrose
Lactose
Maltose
List four major functions of carbohydrates in a cell.
Energy source
cell to cell communication
Cell recognition
Cell adhesion
Can two sugar molecules have different configurations despite having the same molecular formula. Briefly explain
Yes, depending on the environment they are in and the surrounding chemicals, the molecules will configure themselves appropriately.
Yes, Glucose mutarotation will change the configuration as well as stereoisomers.
Explain the term Diabetes melitus
The bodies state of hyperglycaemia. Your bodies insulin production is inhibited and glucose is removed through the urine.
Discuss the statement “The diagnosis and management of Diabetes mellitus is only of concern to a very small portion of the healthcare industry”. (Hint, you should first decide if this statement is true or false, then BRIEFLY explain why it is true or false.)
Diabetes is a growing non-communicable disease around the world and should be taken seriously as such. Type 1 diabetes is particularly uncommon, however, type 2 is more prevalent due to its correlation with diet and exercise. Currently the disease may only affect a small portion of the industry, however, it has the possibility to grow and therefore should be of concern to more than a small portion.
How is Diabetes mellitus diagnosed?
Glycosuria (urine test) is suggestive.
Blood glucose test is diagnostic.
Spectrophotometers can be used to measure the absorbance of light of a particular wavelength by a certain material. BRIEFLY explain what is meant by the term absorbance.
The light is either absorbed, scattered or reflected by a material which lowers the amount that is transmitted through the material itself. This is absorbance.
What is Beer’s Law?
Beers law states that there is a directly proportional relationship between absorbance and concentration.
Concentration increases –> Absorbance increase
What is Lambert’s Law?
As pathlength increases, absorbance increases
What is the combined Lambert-Beer Law?
Absorbance is related to both pathlength and concentration.
Is it more convenient to use Absorbance or Transmittance to determine the concentration of a substance?
The absorbance is more convenient
Why is the selection of optimal analytical wavelength important for spectrophotometry measurement? (Hint, material to be discussed in the Biochemistry Practical may assist you to answer this.)
In order to find the correct concentration you have use the optimal wavelength that the solution or material will absorb. If you know the light will be absorbed you can measure the remaining light that isnt absorbed to determine the transmission or absorbance of the material.
Why is the selection and use of an appropriate Blank important for spectrophotometry measurement? (Hint, material to be discussed in the Biochemistry Practical may assist you to answer this.)
You are calibrating the machine to know what the base line is for no colour, like taring the scales before you use them.
