Biological Macromolecule Structure Flashcards
What are the three types of amino acids?
Non-polar, polar and electrically charged
Define an essential amino acid. Example?
Cannot be made by the body so must come from food. E.g. leucine, lysine
Define non essential amino acid. Example?
This means our bodies produce an amino acid, even if we don’t get it from the food that we eat. E.g. alanine
Define conditional amino acid. Example?
Usually not essential, except in times of illness and stress. E.g. glutamine, glycine (supplements)
What are two types of secondary structure?
Alpha helix and beta plated sheet (anti parallel or parallel)
What is the difference between proteins with a homomultimeric structure and a heteromultimeric structure?
Homo- quaternary structure where all polypeptide chains are identical (e.g. haemoglobin)
Herero- quaternary structure made up of different polypeptide chains (e.g. ATP)
What are examples of different classifications of lipids?
Fatty acids, steroids, triglycerides, waxes, Phosphoglycerides and sphingolipids
What are essential fatty acids? Example?
Body cannot make these so must be got from food. E.g. omega 3
What are non-essential fatty acids
Body can make these from other nutrients like carbohydrates and other unsaturated fatty acids
What are conditional fatty acids? Example?
Essential under some development or disease conditions. Example is docosahexaenoic acid. Body can covert these to substances that reduce inflammation and cause cell growth
Why are steroids classed as lipids?
They are hydrophobic and insoluble in water
Why would a fatty acid be unsaturated?
It contains a double bond between 2 carbon atoms
What are 7 roles of proteins?
Catalysis (enable reactions to occur); defence; Transportation; Support; motion (actin and myosin); regulation (hormones); storage (ferritin)
What is the function of lipids?
Store energy, provide building blocks for other important bio chemicals, provide thermal and electrical insulation, protection
Carbohydrate function?
Provide energy when oxidised (e.g. glucose); store energy (e.g. glycogen); supply building blocks for other bio chemicals (nucleic acids); link to proteins and lipids to modify function (Blood groups- ABO main difference is different in carbohydrates on surface)
