Biological Molecules Flashcards
Monosaccharides
Simple sugars contain 1 simple sugar. Building blocks of more complex sugars and starches, two of which are common in the body PENTOSE and HEXOSE.
Pentose
Are 5 carbon sugars and include ribose (found in RNA) and deoxyribose (Found in DNA).
Hexose
Are 6 carbon sugars and include glucose, fructose, and galactose.
Disaccharides
Two unit sugar. Two monosaccharides are joined to form disaccharides. The formation of three disaccharides, which are important in the body are…
glucose + glucose = Maltrose, the enzyme used to catalyze reaction is MALTASE
glucose + fructose = Sucrose, the enzyme used to catalyze reaction is SUCRASE
glucose + galactose = Lactose, the enzyme used to catalyze reaction is LACTASE
All three are found in our diet.
Polysaccharides (3)
Many sugar units. very large molecules formed from hundreds of glucose molecules linked together. Which are…
STARCH
GLYCOGEN
CELLULOSE
Starch
Made by plant cells to store energy, which is then digested by animals and broken into smaller molecules.
Starch —-> Amylase (enzyme)—> maltose—> maltase—-> glucose molecules (2)
Glucose molecules are small enough to be absorbed through the epithelial cells lining the intestines.
Glycogen
Made by animals to stores glucose, excess glucose is stored as glycogen in the liver and muscles. And is used later when glucose supply is short, glucose is used as an energy source by cells.
Cellulose
Made by plant cells. It is a structural part of the plant cell wall.
Even though it is made of glucose molecules humans can’t digest it, but it is important in our diet as it forms the roughage or fiber which assists the movement of material through the digestive tract.
Proteins (4)
In proteins, the basic units are amino acids, which are joined together by peptide bonds. less than 50= polypeptide, more than 50= protein.
when we eat proteins they are broken down by enzymes.
Proteins —> proteases (enzyme) —>peptides —-> peptidase (enzyme) —-> amino acids absorbed into the blood —->around body —->used for protein synthesis by new cells
Structure of proteins (3)
The arrangement and number of amino acids determine a protein’s structure. Simple to complex structures
PRIMARY
SECONDARY
TERTIARY
Primary
refers to the sequence of amino acids in the chain
Secondary
The arrangement of short sections of chains. Repeating patterns in the chain of... Alpha- helix shape pleated sheet (B-pleated)
Tertiary
The way in which chains are folded and twisted in the biologically active protein.
Functions Of Proteins (3)
HORMONES
CONTRACTILE PROTEINS
ENZYMES
Hormones
These are chemical messengers that help control the body.
Contractile Proteins
Actin and myosin allow skeletal muscle, cardiac muscle, and smooth muscle to contract and thereby produce movement
Enzymes (4)
Proteins which speed up chemical reactions in the body and cells. Biological catalyst
Triglycerides (3)
Have a “backbone” consisting of a glycerol molecule to which 3 fatty acid molecules are linked.
There are many different types of fatty acids, including saturated and unsaturated.
Saturated fats contain mainly C- C bonds.
Unsaturated fats contain one or more C :: C double bonds along each fatty acid chain.
Difference between fats and oils
FATS:
- Tend to be animal in origin
- Solid in room temp
- More Saturated fatty acids
OILS:
- Usually of plant/vegetable origin
- Liquid in room temp
- More Unsaturated fatty acids
Functions of Steroids (3)
- Cholesterol, used by cells in the production of cell membranes. Also precursor of bile salts, Vitamin D, and steroid hormones.
- Bile salts and Vitamin D are steroids. Bile salts are needed for the absorption of dietary lipids. Vitamin D helps regulate calcium levels in the body, also needed for bone growth and repair.
- Steroids hormone include oestrogen, and testosterone
