Biological Chemistry Flashcards
Disaccharide formed by dehydration reaction of glucose + fructose.
More commonly known as table sugar.
Sucrose
Disaccharide formed by dehydration reaction of glucose + galactose.
Lactose
Subset of organic chemistry that involves enormous macromolecules and it happens in the aqueous environment of the cell.
Biological Chemistry
The study of the chemical reactions and pathways of living cells and organisms.
Seeks to understand biological macromolecules.
Biochemistry
Extremely large molecules that can be composed of thousands of atoms.
Macromolecules
4 central organic (carbon-containing) molecules:
4 main types of macromolecules relevant to biological chemistry:
Proteins
Carbohydrates
Lipids
Nucleic Acids
Control structure/function of cells.
Polymers composed of amino acids. —> Made of different amino acid combinations linked together.
Proteins
A larger substance that’s made of simple substances (monomers).
Polymer
A molecule with a central carbon that binds to a hydrogen atoms, 2 functional groups (an amino group and a carboxyl group), and a variable side chain (R-group).
Building blocks of proteins.
The unique chemical properties associated with each of the 20 _____ ______ is due to the R-group.
Amino Acid
Short chain of amino acids.
Peptide
When many amino acids are joined.
Longer chains of amino acids.
Polypeptide Chain
Formed when several (very large) polypeptides are folded together into a specific shape.
Protein
Amino acids that can’t be synthesized by the human body.
Essential Amino Acids
Reaction that involves giving up a water molecule.
Catalyzed by an enzyme called peptidyl transferase.
Dehydration Reaction
Each amino acid in a peptide/polypeptide created by a dehydration reaction for the formation of peptide bonds is called…
Because it’s what remains after the water molecule has been removed.
Residue
Biological catalyst.
Enzyme
Speed up reactions by lowering the activation energy.
Catalyst
Critical roles of protein related to structure and function of cells:
Catalysts
Provide Structural Support
Transport/Communication
Hormones
Immune Response
Building blocks of proteins.
Amino Acids
Structure of Protein:
The connection of amino acid residues to form polypeptide chains.
Amino acid sequence.
Primary Structure
Structure of Protein:
Refers to the folded regions that occur when amino acids are combined due to interactions between atoms making up the amino acid back bone (due to Hydrogen bonds).
How hydrogen bonding between amino acids in protein form local structures.
Include alpha-helix and beta-pleated sheets.
Secondary Structure
Secondary structure of proteins.
Occurs when a peptide chain coils into a helix and hydrogen bonds form between coils.
Looks like a curled ribbon or spiral shape.
Side chains are outside of the helix.
α-helix
(alpha-helix)
Secondary structure of proteins.
Have hydrogen bonding between animo hydrogens and carbonyl oxygens.
Portions of the polypeptide chain can turn back on itself like an accordion.
β-pleated sheets
(Beta-pleated sheets)
Structure of Protein:
3-D shape (how it exists in three dimensions).
Tertiary Structure
Structure of Protein:
How multiple polypeptide chains interact with each other to form a functional protein.
Quaternary Structure
The process of a protein unfolding from its natural structure.
Denaturation
Sugars made by plants through photosynthesis.
Most abundant and naturally occurring organic compounds.
Carbohydrates
The simplest form of carbohydrates.
1 sugar that can’t be broke down into simpler sugars.
Contain 5-6 carbon atoms, alcohol groups, and carbonyl group (C=O).
Monosaccharide
Made up of 2 sugar molecules.
Disaccharide
A series of reactions in which carbon dioxide & water are converted to glucose & oxygen.
Photosynthesis
Polymers of biological molecules.
Biopolymers
Many glucose (or other monosaccharide molecules) linked together.
Types of biopolymers.
Polysaccharides
Polysaccharides found in muscles and liver of animals that store energy.
Glycogen
Polysaccharides found in plants.
Insoluble and more rigid.
Indigestible, known as dietary fiber. —> Collects unwanted residue as it passes through the digestive tract.
Cellulose
Polysaccharides found in plants that store energy.
Water-soluble.
Starch
Nonpolar, water-insoluble molecules.
4 major groups: fatty acids, phospholipids, steroids, and waxes
Lipids
Contain only carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen.
Simple Lipids
Contain carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen and additional elements such as nitrogen, phosphorus, or sulfur.
Complex Lipids
Simple lipids that have long chains of carbon atoms bonded only to hydrogen with a carboxyl group (-COOH) at the end.
Fatty Acids
Fatty acids with long chain alcohols (many carbons with an -OH attached at the end).
Waxes
Fatty acids with glycerol.
Glycerol is a triol —> A hydrocarbon with 3 alcohol functional groups (3 -OH groups).
Triglycerides
A hydrocarbon with 3 alcohol functional groups (3 -OH groups).
Triol
Contain at least 1 carbon double bond.
Fish, avocados, tree nuts.
Unsaturated Fats
Without any carbon chain double bonds. —> “Saturated” with hydrogen atoms.
Most animal fats. —> Such as red meat.
Saturated Fats
Similar to fatty acids but have a phosphate group at the end.
Important building blocks of the cell membrane.
Vital to cell membranes of eukaryotic cells.
Phospholipids
Simple lipids that serve as important components of cell membranes for membrane fluidity and as a signal molecule.
Steroids
Hormones
Building blocks of genetic code.
Composed of nucleotides.
RNA & DNA.
Nucleic Acids
A 5-carbon sugar (ribose) + a phosphate group + a nitrogenous base
Nucleotides
4 nitrogenous bases of RNA:
Cytosine (C)
Uracil (U)
Adenine (A)
Guanine (G)
4 nitrogenous bases of DNA:
Cytosine (C)
Thymine (T)
Adenine (A)
Guanine (G)
