Biological Molecules Flashcards
What is Adenosine triphosphate (ATP)?
A molecule that acts as the energy currency of cells formed from a molecule of ribose, a molecule of adenine + 3 phosphate groups
What is an amino acid?
the monomers containing an amino group (NH2), a carboxyl group (COOH) + a variable R group that makes up proteins
What is the Benedict’s test?
A biochemical test used to test for reducing sugars that produces a different colour based on the amount of reducing sugar present
What is the biuret test?
a biochemical test that produces a purple solution in the presence of protein
What is cellulose?
a polysaccharide made of beta glucose monomers that is used as a structural polysaccharide which provides strength to plant cell walls
What is a condensation reaction?
a type of reaction that joins 2 molecules together with the formation of a chemical bond involving the elimination of a molecule of water
What is deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)?
An information storing molecule made up of deoxyribonucleotide monomers joined by phosphodiester bonds to form a double helix
What is a dipeptide?
Molecules formed by the condensation of 2 amino acids
What is a disaccharide?
Molecules formed by the condensation of 2 monosaccharides
What is a DNA helicase?
An enzyme that breaks the hydrogen bonds between the 2 DNA strands in the DNA molecule that is going to be replicated
What is a DNA polymerase?
An enzyme that catalyses the condensation reactions between the new nucleotides in the synthesis of the new DNA strand
What is an enzyme?
a protein molecule that acts as a biological catalyst + increases the rate of biochemical reaction
What is glycogen?
A highly branched polysaccharide made of alpha glucose monomers that is used as the main storage of energy in humans and animals
What is a glycosidic bond?
A bond between 2 monosaccharides formed in a condensation reaction
What is heat capacity?
the amount of energy needed to raise the temperature of a substance by a specific amount
What is hydrolysis?
Breaking a chemical bond between 2 molecules involving the use of a water molecule
What is the induced-fit model?
A model of enzyme action that describes how enzymes undergo subtle conformational changes to better fit the substrate
What is the iodine test?
A biochemical test used to test for the presence of starch
What is lactose?
A disaccharide formed by condensation of a glucose molecule and a galactose molecule
What is latent heat?
the amount of energy needed for a substance to change state
What is the lipid emulsion test?
a biochemical test that produces a cloudy emulsion when performed on lipids
What is maltose?
A disaccharide formed by condensation of 2 glucose molecules
What is a metabolite?
A molecule formed or used in metabolic reactions
What are monomers?
a smaller unit from which larger molecules are made
What is a monosaccharide?
The individual sugar monomers from which larger carbohydrates are made
What is a phospholipid?
A type of lipid formed by the condensation of 1 molecule of glycerol, 2 molecules of fatty acid + a phosphate group
What are polymers?
Molecules made from a large number of monomers joined together
What is a polypeptide?
Molecules formed by the condensation of many amino acids
What is a polysaccharide?
Molecules formed by the condensation of many monosaccharides
What is a primary structure?
The individual sequence of amino acids in a protein
What is a quaternary structure?
A structure only applicable to proteins with multiple polypeptide chains that describes the interactions of the different chains
What is ribonucleic acid (RNA)?
A relatively short molecule made up of ribonucleotide monomers joined by phosphodiester bonds
What is a secondary structure?
The local interactions of the amino acids in the polypeptide chain
What is a semi conservative replication?
the production of 2 daughter DNA molecules from 1 DNA molecule which both contain 1 original DNA strand + 1 newly synthesised strand
What is a solvent?
a substance which other solutes are dissolved in
What is starch?
a polysaccharide made of alpha glucose monomers that is used as the main storage of energy plants
What is sucrose?
a disaccharide formed by condensation of a glucose molecule and a fructose molecule
What is a tertiary structure?
The way that the whole protein folds to make 3 dimensional structure
What is a triglyceride?
A type of lipid formed by the condensation of 1 molecule of glycerol + 3 molecules of fatty acid
