Biochemistry Flashcards
organic
a compound that contains CARBON
(typically has oxygen, too.)
it’s not neccessarily natural!
What is special about carbon?
- can have up to 4 covalent bonds;
- will bond with several different elements at the same time;
- can form straight chains, rings, and branched chains
What is a polymer?
molecules made from repeating units of identical or nearly identical molecules linked by covalent bonds
What is a monomer?
a small organic compound,
combine to make polymers
What is a macromolecule?
a large molecule
(huge polymer)
How do you make a polymer?
Just remove the water.
monomer + monomer → polymer + water
(dehydration synthesis)
How do you break a polymer?
Just add water.
polymer + water → monomer + monomer
(hydrolysis)
What are the 4 main organic compounds?
- carbohydrates
- lipids
- proteins
- nucleic cdids
dehydration synthesis
when water is removed from two monomers and a polymer is made
hydrolysis
when water is added to a polymer and it is broken into two monomers
the equation for dehydration syntheisis
monomer + monomer = polymer + water
the equation for hydrolysis
polymer + water = monomer + monomer
Name 3 things that are different in
saturated and unsaturated fats:
Saturated (typically animal fats)
- straight chain
- single covalent bonds.
- solid at room temp
UnSaturated (typically vegetable oils)
- kinked chain
- at least 1 double covalent bond
- liquid at room temp.
Where are phospholipids important?
Phospholipids are key in cell membrane.
Proteins: What are amino acids
the monomer (building block) of proteins
Proteins: How many types of amino acids are there?
20
(only 12 made by the body - the others are in foods)
Proteins: What is key when amino acids come together to make protein?
Order of amino acids is key!
catalyst
speeds up a chemical reaction by lowering the activation energy needed to start the reaction
Proteins: Enzymes
biological catalysts
(essential to life)
Proteins:
How do enzymes work?
- reactant (substrate) binds to the enzyme at the active site,
- active site changes shape and forms the
enzyme-substrate complex
- chemical reaction takes place
- products are released by the enzyme….enzyme goes to another set of substrates
Name the 3 parts of a nucleotide:
phosphate
5-carbon sugar
nitrogenous base
(hint - practice drawing and labeling for the test)
