Biochemistry Flashcards
biochemistry
study of chemical composition and reactions of living matter
2 classifications of chemicals in body
organic compounds
inorganic compounds
organic compounds
larger, contain carbon
inorganic compounds
compounds without carbon
why is water so important- 5 reasons
- 60-80% of living cells
-high heat capacity
-high heat vaporisation
-polar solvent
-reactivity
electrolytes
substances that conduct electrical current
acids
proton ions
release H+
sour taste
base
opposite of acid
proton acceptor
take H+
bitter taste
organic compounds
always contain carbon
biomolecules that are unique to living systems
4 most important atoms
Carbon
Hydrogen
Oxygen
Nitrogen
What do organic compounds contain?
Carbon
Organic compounds are primarily defined by the presence of carbon atoms.
What are biomolecules?
Unique to living systems
Biomolecules include essential components such as carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.
List the 4 main types of biomolecules
- Carbohydrates
- Lipids
- Fats
- Proteins
- Nucleic acids
These biomolecules play critical roles in biological processes.
What does it mean for carbon to be electroneutral?
The carbon never loses or gains electrons
This property allows carbon to form stable covalent bonds with other elements.
How many valence shell electrons does carbon have?
4
This allows carbon to form four covalent bonds with other atoms.
Fill in the blank: Carbon has _______ valence shell electrons.
4
Fill in the blank: Organic compounds are defined by the presence of _______.
Carbon
What are proteins
Workers of body. Made of amino acids and help from building muscles to digesting food
monomers
single unit of an organic compound that can connect w others to make something more complex
What are carbohydrates
Sugars or starches that provide energy for body
What are lipids (fats)
Body’s energy backup and insulation
What are the three elements that make up carbohydrates?
Carbon, hydrogen, oxygen
These elements are fundamental to the structure of carbohydrates.
What is a monosaccharide?
One sugar (monomer)
Monosaccharides are the simplest form of carbohydrates.
What is a disaccharide?
Two sugars
need to be broken down further to digest and absorb
What is a polysaccharide?
Many sugars
Polysaccharides are complex carbohydrates made up of long chains of monosaccharide units.
What is the key role of glucose in carbohydrates?
Fuel
Glucose is a primary energy source for cells.
What is the function of glycogen in carbohydrates?
Fuel storage
Glycogen is the stored form of glucose in animals.
What are glycoproteins?
Structural components
Glycoproteins are proteins that have carbohydrates attached, playing roles in cell structure and function.
Fill in the blank: Ribose is found in _______.
RNA
Ribose is a sugar that is a component of RNA.
What are the three elements that make up carbohydrates?
Carbon, hydrogen, oxygen
These elements are fundamental to the structure of carbohydrates.
What is a monosaccharide?
One sugar (monomer)
Monosaccharides are the simplest form of carbohydrates.
What is a disaccharide?
Two sugars
Disaccharides are formed by the combination of two monosaccharides.
What is a polysaccharide?
Many sugars
Polysaccharides are complex carbohydrates made up of long chains of monosaccharide units.
What is the key role of glucose in carbohydrates?
Fuel
Glucose is a primary energy source for cells.
What is the function of glycogen in carbohydrates?
Fuel storage
Glycogen is the stored form of glucose in animals.
What are glycoproteins?
Structural components
Glycoproteins are proteins that have carbohydrates attached, playing roles in cell structure and function.
lipids
made of C, H, O, sometimes phosphorous
*insoluble in water but easily dissolved in other solids
What are nucleic acids (DNA & RNA)
Molecules that store and carry info for making proteins and running body
4 main lipids
triglycerides
phosphlipids
steroids
eicosanoids
What are triglycerides
fats
large molecules
body’s most efficient and compact form of energy
saturated vs unsaturated fats
saturated fat- solid at room temp
single bond between c atoms so straight chains
unsaturated fat- liquid at room temp
one of more double bond so kinked chains
what are phospholipids
modified triglycerides
glycerol+ 2 fatty chains+ phosphate group w/ nitrogen group
hydrophobic
water fearing fatty acids
hydrophillic
water loving phosphate heads
steroid
vital to homeostasis
flat molecules made of 4 interlocking rings
ie cholesterol
what is the basis of all steroids formed in body
cholesterol
Fill in the blank: Ribose is found in _______.
RNA
Ribose is a sugar that is a component of RNA.
What are the major forms of stored energy in the body?
Triglycerides
Triglycerides are the primary form of fat storage in the body.
What is the function of fat deposits in the body?
Protect and insulate body organs
Fat deposits are found in subcutaneous tissue and around organs.
What are the chief components of cell membranes?
Phospholipids
Phospholipids form the fundamental structure of cell membranes.
What do lipoproteins help with?
Transport lipids in blood
Lipoproteins are complexes of lipids and proteins that facilitate lipid transport.
What is cholesterol a starting molecule for?
Synthesis of all body steroids
Cholesterol is essential for the production of steroid hormones.
What are bile salts released by and where are they released into?
Released by the liver into the digestive tract
Bile salts aid in fat digestion and absorption.
What fat-soluble vitamin is produced in the skin on exposure to UV radiation?
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is crucial for normal bone growth and function.
What are the types of sex hormones produced in the gonads?
Estrogens, progesterone, and testosterone
These hormones are essential for reproductive functions.
What is the role of cortisol?
Maintaining normal blood glucose levels
Cortisol is a metabolic hormone produced by the adrenal cortex.
what are proteins
basic structural material of body
3 kinds of proteins
structural
enzyme
transport
example of structural protein
collagen
**most abundant protein in body
example of transport protein
hemoglobin
what are amino acids
building blocks of protein
how many types of amino acids are there
20
what are the 2 groups of amino acids
amine
acid
what is a peptide bond
the bond that forms when 2 amino acids connect
((amino acid glue))
sequence of protein structure
primary
secondary
tertiary
quaterny
what is a primary structure
sequence of amino acids that form polypeptide chain
what is a secondary structure
primary chain forms spirals and sheets
what is a tertiary structure
secondary structure is folded to form compact globular molecule
what is a quaternary structure
2 or more polypeptide chains
2 types of proteins
fibrous
globular
3 points on fibrous proteins
structural
long strands
water insoluble
points on globular proteins
functional
spherical
water soluble
what is protein denaturation
loss of 3d shape so cant do normal task and cant be put back together
ex egg- denaturation makes clear into white
what does suffix ase refer to
enzymes
what are enzymes
special proteins that make things happen faster and more efficiently
what is activation energy
minimum amount of energy needed to break molecular bonds and rearrange
what part do enzymes play in activation energy
*they allow chemical reactions to occur at normal body temp
*decreases amount of activatin energy required
what do nucleic acids do
help store, transmit, and help express genetic info
**make up who we are
what is a nucleic acid made of
a monomer called nucleotides
3 parts of nucleotide
nitrogen containing base
pentose sugar
phosphate group
5 types of nitrogen bases
Adenine
Guanine
Cytosine
Thymine
Uracil
what are DNA
long double strand of nucleotides
A always joins to T (changes to U for RNA)
G always joins to C
What does adenosine triphosphate do
ATP
transfers energy to other compounds
What does aldosterone help regulate?
Salt and water balance of the body
Aldosterone targets the kidneys to maintain fluid balance.
