Biochemistry Flashcards
Water structure
Polar molecule
Form hydrogen bonds
Solid less dense than liquid
Tetrahedral arrangement
Water properties
Cohesive moves as a mass due to h bonding
Adhesive water molecules attracted to other materials
Water uses
Acts as a solvent due to its polarity helping transport in and out cells
Efficient transport medium cohesion and adhesion in capillary action
Coolant
Stable doesn’t change temp easily ice floats forming insulating layer for organisms under to survive
High surface tension for pond skaters
Carbohydrate structure
Contain carbon hydrogen and oxygen
Also known as saccharides or sugars
Glucose
Hexose monosaccharide
Polar
Highly soluble in water due to hydrogen bonds forming
2 forms beta and alpha
Alpha glucose
Carbon 1 OH is below
Beta glucose
OH is above carbon 1
Condensation reactions
2 alpha glucose molecules react
Hydroxyl groups interact forming water
Glycosidic bond is formed
Disaccharide forms - maltose
Sucrose
Fructose and glucose
Lactose
Galactose and glucose
Starch
Glucose is stored as starch after photosynthesis
Polysaccharide
Amylose
joined together by 1/4 glycosidic bonds
Forms a helix which is stabilised by h bonds less soluble and good for storage
Amylopectin
1/4 glycosidic bonds and 1/6 glycosidic bonds branches structure every 25 glucose subunits
Glycogen
Energy storage in animals and fungi
More branches mor compact many free ends to quickly remove or add glucose
Cellulose
Beta glucose 1 upside dow forms 1-4 glycosidic bond
Straight chain molecule
H bonds with other strands forming microfibrils which form macrofibrils makes cell walls
Important in diet forms fibre difficult to break down
Lipids
Know as fast and oils
Contain carbon hydrogen and oxygen
Fats solid at rtp oils liquid at rtp
Non polar molecules
Macromolecules
Large complex molecules that aren’t built from repeating monomers
Triglycerides
One glycerol (alcohol) and 3 fatty acids (carb acid)
Interact forming ester bonds
Esterification = condensation polymerisation
Store energy / insulation
Saturated fats
No double bonds present
Solid at rtp
Unsaturated fats
Fatty acid w double bonds
Causes molecule to kink and bend so can’t pack closely therefore liquid at rtp
Plants contain these
Healthier?
Phospholipids
Contain phosphate ions which are soluble in water
2 fatty acid hydrophobic tails
Surfactant - form thin layer on surface fatty tails sticking up
Key in cell membranes