Biochemistry Flashcards
What are the three types of macromolecules?
Polysaccharides
Polypeptides
Polynucleotides
What is a polymer?
A giant molecule formed as a result of the joining together of many repeating subunits in a chain.
What is a monomer?
A simple molecule that forms the basic building block for the synthesis of a polymer
What type of bonds are involved in the formation of polymers from monomers?
Covalent bonds
What is a condensation reaction?
A chemical reaction that involves the joining of molecules together by the removal of water.
What is hydrolysis?
A chemical reaction which involves the breaking down of polymers by the addition of a water molecule.
What are the monomers of the three types of macromolecules?
Monosaccharides
Amino acids
Nucleotides
What is the general formula for a carbohydrate?
Cx(H2O)y
What is the general formula for a monosaccharide?
(CH2O)n
The main types of monosaccharides are classified according to what?
The number of carbon atoms in that molecule.
What are the three types of monosaccharides?
Trioses (3C)
Pentoses (5C)
Hexoses (6C)
Give examples of Pentoses.
Ribose
Deoxyribose
Give examples of Hexoses.
Glucose
Mannose
Sorbose
Galactose
Fructose
What is the minimum requirement of Carbon, Oxygen and Hydrogen for something to be considered a sugar?
It should have at least one carbonyl group (C=O) and at least 2 hydroxyl groups (C-OH)
What are isomers?
These are molecules with the same type and number of atoms but arranged in different ways.
What are the two types of isomerism?
Structural isomerism
Stereoisomerism
What is structural isomerism?
Have the same number and type of atoms in the molecules but the atoms are connected differently.
What is stereoisomerism?
Have the same number and type and sequence of bonding of the atoms in the molecule but differ in the three-dimensional orientations of their atoms in space.
What are aldehydes?
These are molecules with the carbonyl group at the end of the molecule.
What are ketones?
These are molecules with the carbonyl group away from the end of the molecule.
Do ketones and aldehydes react the same?
No
What are the two forms of glucose? (isomers of glucose)
Alpha glucose
Beta glucose
What results in the functional differences between carbohydrates?
The structural differences of alpha and beta glucose.
What is the sequence of the hydroxyl group in alpha glucose? (In terms of up and down)
Down
Down
Up
Down
Up
What is the sequence of the hydroxyl group in beta glucose?
Up
Down
Up
Down
Up
What are the two major functions of monosaccharides?
Energy source
Building block for larger molecules
Why are monosaccharides used as a source of energy?
They have a large number of C-H bonds that can be broken to release a lot of energy that is used to help make ATP from ADP plus phosphate in the process of respiration.
Are all monosaccharides reducing sugars or non-reducing sugars?
Reducing sugars
What is a disaccharide?
A sugar molecule made up of two monosaccharides joined together by a glycosidic bond in a condensation reaction