Biologial Molecules Flashcards
What is the role of carbohydrates in the diet?
Energy storage and supply, as well as structure in some organisms
Why do nutrients taken i help to maintain a body?
- They become part of the body (after being digested and rebuilt)
- They are used to provide energy used to drive metabolism
What is the role of proteins in the body?
Structure, transport, enzymes, antibodies (and MOST hormones)
What is the role of lipids in the body?
Membranes, energy supply, thermal insulin, protective layers/padding, electrical insulin in neurones ( SOME hormones).
What are the roles of vitamins and minerals?
- Form parts of some larger molecules
- Take part in some metabolic reactions
- Some act as enzymes or coenzymes
What are the roles of water in the body?
- Takes part in many reactions
- Support in plants
- Solvent/medium for most metabolic reactions
- Transport
What is biochemistry?
The chemical reactions involving biological molecules. e.g. biochemistry is involved in measuring the enzymes in the blood of a patient who has had a heart attack.
What is metabolism?
The sum total of all of the chemical reactions going on inside an organism. They may be catabolic or anabolic.
What is a catabolic reaction?
A metabolic reaction that my be breaking down larger molecules into smaller molecules.
What is an anabolic reaction?
Building smaller molecules into larger ones.
What is organic chemistry?
The study of chemical reactions that include carbon.
Explain how and why carbon atoms form strong covalent bonds.
Carbon atoms have 4 outer electrons. They can gain stability by sharing their outer electrons with 4 others, this creates a strong bond between the the two atoms, creating a molecule.
How do carbon atoms bond?
- Create a covalent bond by sharing outer electrons
- Form two bonds with the carbon atom
What is a monomer?
A single, small molecule. Many can be joined together to make a polymer.
What is a condensation reaction?
A chemical reaction that links biological monomers together. A where molecule is released, a new covalent bond is formed. A larger molecule is formed when by bonding two smaller molecules.
What is a hydrolysis reaction?
A chemical reaction that splits larger molecules into monomers. A water molecule is used, a covalent bond is broken, smaller molecules are made from slitting larger molecules.
What are hydrogen bonds, and how are they formed?
They form when a slightly negativley charged part of a molecule comes close to a slightly positively charged hydrogen atom. These bonds are not strong, and are often described as interactions, but in some polymers form, many hydrogen bonds are formed to stabalise the structure.
What elements do carbohydrates include?
Carbon, hydrogen, oxygen. For every carbon present there a water molecule present.
What are monosaccharides and their properties?
They are the simplest form of carbohydrates, and they have a similar properties; they are al soluble in water, are sweet tasting and form crystals.
How are monosaccharides grouped?
According to the umber of carbon atoms they have (e.g. 3-carbon monosaccharides - triose sugars, 5-carbon - pentose, 6-carbon -hexose)
Give some examples of hexose sugars (and give their chemical makeup)
Glucose, fructose, C6H12O6 (little numbers)
What are the different forms of Glucose?
Chain, Ring (Beta or alpha glucose)
What are the differences in the structure of alpha and beta glucose?
A alpha
B below
B beta
A above
The OH is at C1 is below the plane with alpha, but below the plane with beta.
How are monosaccharides bonded and split?
A condensation reaction forms a glycosidic bond and created a disaccharide molecule. Water is eliminated.
A hydrolysis reaction breaks a glycosidic bond, splitting a disaccharide into a monosaccharide. it uses a water molecule.
