Biochemistry Flashcards
What are the functions of lipids?
- Long-term energy storage
- Structural components
- Heat retention
- Cell communication and regulation
- Protection
What varieties of lipids are there?
- Fats
- Oils
- Phospholipids
- Steroids
- Waxes
What are triglycerides also called?
Also called fats and oils
Functions of triglycerides?
Long term energy storage and insulation
What do triglycerides consist of?
-1 glycerol molecule
-3 fatty acids
made by dehydration synthesis
What makes a fat an unsaturated fat?
One or more double bonds between carbons
Are liquid at room temperature
eg. plant oils
What are the four classes of organic molecules that exist in living beings?
- Carbohydrates
- Lipids
- Proteins
- Nucleic acids
How many electrons does a carbon atom have?
6
2 in the first shell and 4 in the outer shell.
How many covalent bonds can carbon form?
Four
List the elements that carbon can bond with.
- Carbon
- Nitrogen
- Hydrogen
- Oxygen
- Phosphorus
- Sulfur
What are covalent bonds?
They are when atoms share one or more pairs of electrons
Describe several reasons why the carbon atom is a good building block.
- C-C bond is stable
- Long carbon chains (hydrocarbons) can be formed
- Single bonds, double bonds, triple bonds and ring structures can be formed
- Branches can form at any carbon atom, making complex carbon chains
- Allows diversity of organic molecules
What are functional groups?
Are clusters of specific atoms bonded to the carbon skeleton with characteristic structures and functions
What do functional groups determine?
- Chemical reactivity
- Polarity of organic molecules
