Biochemistry Flashcards
Define “Organic Molecules”
Organic molecules are carbon based and are often bonded to Carbon or Hydrogen atoms and/or are made by living beings
Explain Carbon and its general structure
It can form up to 4 covalent bonds that can form geometric structures that serve as the backbone for all biological molecules
Structures such as straight chains, branches or rings
What is CHNOPS?
99% C, H N and O with 1% Phosphate and S
What are isomers?
molecules with the same formula but different arrangements
What is the formula for Glucose, Fructose and Galactose?
C6H12O6
Why is the 3D shape of a molecule so important?
- Determines function and behaviour of molecule
Define “Molecular Formula”
What amount of each atom is present in each compound
Define “Structural Formula”
shows how each atom is bonded
What are Functional Groups?
atoms or groups of atoms attached to molecules that give the molecule certain properties, usually containing O, N, P
Certain groups are associated with chemical properties they give to molecules within that group
Name the properties of hydroxyl and give an example
- polar
- -OH
- found in carbohydrates, proteins, nucleic acids and lipids
Name the properties of carbonyl and give an example
- such as ketone and aldehydes
- polar
- found in carbohydrates and nucleic acids
Name the properties of carboxyl and give an example
- acidic
- polar
- found in proteins and lipids
Name the properties of Amino and give an example
- basic
- polar
- found in proteins, nucleic acids
Name the properties of Sulphahydryl and give an example
- slightly polar
- found in proteins
Name the properties of phosphate and give an example
- polar
- negative charge
- found in nucleic acids
What is methyl?
- CH3
Draw all of the functional groups
check notes
What is a condensation reaction?
- aka dehydration synthesis
- anabolic reaction
- makes polymers by forming covalent bonds between two molecules and produces water as a result
- H is removed from one group and HO from another
What is a hydrolysis reaction?
- catabolic reaction
- breaks down polymers by breaking covalent bonds between them after ADDING water to the reaction
- H from water is added to one OH group
Describe Alkalosis and Acidosis
Alkalosis: when blood pH gets too high
Acidosis: when blood pH gets too low
Describe a redox reaction
- oxidation reaction that loses electrons and reduction reaction that gains electrons at the same time to transfer electrons from one reactant to the other
What are carbohydrates?
- contain C, H and O in a 1:2:1 ratio
- sugars and starches
- high amount of hydroxyl groups and some carbonyl
- most are polar and water-soluble
What is the main functions of carbs?
- to store short term energy that is easily accessible to the human body as it contains bonds recognized and broken down by enzymes
What are monosaccharides?
- carbs made of 3-7 C atoms in a single carbon based monomer structure
What is glucose?
- monosaccharide found in blood sugar
- first sugar body uses for energy
- there is alpha glucose and beta glucose
What is fructose?
-sugar found in fruits
- slightly sweeter
What is galactose?
- sugar found in milk
Why is shape important for monosaccharides?
- arrangement of H atoms and hydroxyls differ and are treated differently by the body, such as why fructose is sweeter than glucose
Draw: Alpha and Beta Glucose, Fructose and Galactose
see notes
What are disaccharides?
- carbs made of two monosaccharides joined by a glycosidic linkage
Explain a glycosidic linkage, and draw an example
- link formed between two monosaccharides by koining two hydroxyl groups in condensation reaction
- see notes for drawing
Give three examples of disaccharides and what they are made of
- Sucrose: Glucose and Fructose
- Maltose: Glucose and Glucose
- Lactose: Glucose and Galactose
What are polysaccharides?
- carb polymers made up of many monosaccharides joined by glycosidic linkages
What is the linkage between carbs?
glycosidic linkages
Give three examples of monosaccharides
- Glucose
- Fructose
- Galactose
Give four examples of polysaccharides and their function
- Starch: storage for plants
2.Glycogen: storage for animals - Cellulose: structural support
- Chitin: structural support
What are the subgroups of starch?
- Amylose and Amylopectin
What is amylose?
- linear unbranched simple starch with alpha 1,4 glycosidic linkages
- hard to digest and insoluble
What is amylopectin?
- complex starch
- branches made of alpha 1,4 and 1,6 glycosidic linkages
- soluble and easy to digest
What is glycogen?
- made of highly branched chains of glucose
- many alpha 1,4 and 1,6 glycosidic linkages
-replenished by eating
What is cellulose?
- provides structure for plant cell walls
- made of beta glucose and beta 1,4 linkages
- humans cannot digest
- used in lumber and cotton/paper manufacturing
What is chitin?
- modified cellulose w added amine
- found in fungi cell walls and exoskeletons of insects/crusteaceans
- insoluble and not easily digested
- made of beta glycosidic linkages
What are lipids?
- made of C, H and O
- more C and H than O, therefore nonpolar
- soluble in oils and not water
Explain hydrophobic
- repelled and non soluble in water
The main functions of lipids are:
- long term energy storage bc of hydrocarbons
- less accessible energy
- provide insulation
- cushions organs
- waterproofing in animals
- makes up cell membrane
- communicators for chemical signals
What are the monomers of lipids?
- Glycerol
- Fatty Acids
What is glycerol?
- made of hydrocarbons and hydroxyls
What are fatty acids?
- HC chain ending in carboxyl
- presence of double bonds affects shape and properties
What is the difference between saturated and unsaturated fats?
Saturated: no double bonds, straight chains, solid at room temp.
Unsaturated: 1+ double bonds, bent chains,liquid at room temp.
What is the difference between cis fats and trans fats?
- Both are unsaturated
Cis: cis double bonds and bent
Trans: trans double bonds and bent (dangerous)
What are triglycerides:
- lipid polymers made of 1 glycerol and 3 fatty acids
- hydroxyl on glycerol bonds w carboxyl in fatty acid