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biological molecules Flashcards

1
Q

what is a biological molecule?

A

a complex chemical that is needed by every living organism for metabolism and make up their structure

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2
Q

what is “metabolism”?

A

by metabolism it’s meant all the chemical reactions taking place in the cells of the body
(it depends on respiration — for energy)

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3
Q

how do plants get the biomolecules they need?

A

plants make the biomolecules they need from raw materials (eg: through photosynthesis)

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4
Q

how do animals get the biomolecules they need?

A

the biological molecules animals need are present in their diet

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5
Q

what are the different groups of biological molecules?

A

carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids

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6
Q

what are the elements of carbohydrates?

A

CHO (carbon - hydrogen - oxigen)

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7
Q

what is the function of carbohydrates?

A

carbohydrates are used as a short term energy source

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8
Q

what are the building blocks of carbohydrates?

A

simple sugars

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9
Q

what are the types of carbohydrates?

A

there are two types: simple carbohydrates and complex carbohydrates.

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10
Q

what are simple carbohydrates?

A

simple carbohydrates are monosaccharides (or simple sugars) which consist of one sugar unit that cannot be further broken down into simpler sugars.
(eg: glucose, fructose)

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11
Q

what are complex carbohydrates?

A

complex carbohydrates are the ones made by joining many simple sugar molecules together by chemical bonds. they are polysaccharides
(eg: starch, glycogen, cellulose)

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12
Q

where is starch stored in plants?

A

leaves, roots and sometimes in the stem

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13
Q

what is starch for?

A

starch is for nutrition and is stored as an energy source for the plant

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14
Q

what do starch and glycogen have in common?

A

they are both insoluble

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15
Q

what is glycogen used as?

A

glycogen is used as an energy source

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16
Q

where is glycogen stored?

A

liver and muscles

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17
Q

what is cellulose?

A

is a complex, structural carbohydrate made up of thousands of glucose units (simple sugars) which are held together by bonds in order to form long, unbranched chains.

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18
Q

what happens when many cellulose molecules are linked together?

A

they form fibres, which are the ones that give plant cell walls strength and rigidity

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19
Q

what are the elements of lipids?

A

CHO (carbon - hydrogen - oxygen)

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20
Q

what are the types of lipids?

A

fats and oils

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21
Q

what are the funcions of lipids?

A

lipids are used as a long term energy source, they help with thermal insulation in the body (to keep warm temperatures in cold areas) and make up cell membranes. they also work in the lymphatic system (hormones)

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22
Q

what are the building blocks of lipids?

A

one glycerol spinal cord and three or two chains of fatty acids

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23
Q

how do the different types of fatty acids affect the whole biomolecule (lipid)?

A

the different types of fatty acids can form different types of lipids with different properties

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24
Q

what makes simple sugars join into long chains to form the different complex carbohydrates?

A

enzymes catalyse the reactions that then join simple sugars (eg:glucose) together into long chains

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25
what are the elements of proteins?
CHONs (carbon - hydrogen - oxygen - nitrogen - sulfur)
26
what are the functions of proteins?
proteins help with the growth, structure and development of the different living organisms. they act as enzymes, work in the immune system and help with muscle development
27
what are the building blocks of proteins?
amino acids
28
how does the sequence of amino acids affect the protein?
the sequence of the different amino acids in the chain determines which type of protein is formed and gives it a specific shape. the shape of the protein molecule can be related to its function
29
name three examples of proteins
hemoblobine, insulin and collagen
30
what are the elements of nucleic acids?
CHONPs (carbon - hydrogen - oxygen - nitrogen - phosphurus - sulfur)
31
what is the function of nucleic acids?
they are the build up block, form the structure, of DNA and RNA
32
what is the difference between DNA and RNA?
DNA is a double-stranded molecule, while RNA is a single-stranded molecule. RNA would be only one side of the DNA molecule.
33
what is DNA?
DNA is a chemical that contains all the information needed to make any kind of organism
34
what is a chromosome?
it's the way an organism stores DNA in the cell's nucleus. if unraveled it becomes an extremely long thread made up of DNA.
35
what is a gene?
the genes are the ones that carry the genetic information inside the chromosomes. it is made up of DNA
36
why does DNA have a double helix shape?
it is because of specific base pairing and how each base connects with its complementary one
37
where is DNA stored?
in the genes, in the chromosomes inside the nucleus
38
what is DNA made up of?
DNA is made up of thousands of neuclotides
39
what are the building blocks of a neuclotide?
a phosphate, a sugar (which form the backbone of a DNA strand) and a base
40
which are the four bases a neuclotide can have?
A: adenine T: thymine C: cytosine G: guanine
41
which base pairs up with which?
Adenine with Thymine | Cytosine with Guanine
42
why do bases always pair up the same way?
because each base has a shape that only connets with its complementary one, like an active site that only works with the element it needs to catalyse
43
name the chemical tests for biomolecules
Iodine test, Benedict's test, Biuret test, Emulsion test and DCPIP
44
what is a positive result for Iodine test?
blue-black
45
what is a positive result for Benedict's test?
red orange
46
what is a positive result for Biuret test?
purple/violet/lilac
47
what is a positive result for Emulsion test?
white emulsion that looks cloudy/milky white
48
what is a positive result for DCPIP?
transparent, the DCPIP colour goes away
49
what is a negative result for Iodine test?
stays light brown/orange
50
what is a negative result for Benedict's test?
stays bright blue
51
what is a negative result for Biuret test?
stays blue
52
what is a negative result for Emulsion test?
stays tansparent
53
what is a negative result for DCPIP?
stays blue
54
is vitamin C a biological molecule?
No, it is a nutrient
55
which chemical test needs heat?
Benedict's test
56
what is important while carrying out a chemical test?
it's important to carry out these tests on pure forms of the compounds used
57
what is an extract?
a small amount of the material that will be tested
58
describe the process of Iodine test
- half fill a test-tube with the extract you wish to test - add two or three drops of iodine solution result
59
describe the process of Benedict's test
- put the extract you wish to test in a test-tube - place a beaker on a heat proof mat - half fill the beaker with boiling water - add Benedict's solution to the test-tube containing the extract result
60
describe the process of Biuret test
- half fill a test-tube with the extract you wish to test - add five to six drops pf biuret solution result
61
describe the process of Emulsion test
- put the extract you wish to test in a test-tube and cover it with ethanol - shake the contents - add some distilled water and shake everything again result
62
describe the process of DCPIP test
- put DCPIP in a test tube - fill a syringe with the solution you want to test - add the liquid one drop at a time result
63
what do fats dissolve in?
ethanol (not in water)
64
how do you know how much sugar is present by using Benedict's test?
if it turns orange there is a lot of sugar, if it turns green there is little and if it stays blue there is non
65
name the main characteristic of DCPIP
DCPIP is a blue liquid that looses its colour when it comes into contact with vitamin C
66
where are proteins made?
in the cell’s nucleus, liver, red blood cells (eg: hemoglobine) and white blood cells (eg: antibodies and antigens)
67
where are fats stored?
in a tissue under the skin and around vital organs
68
what base is different in RNA?
thymine. in RNA is called uracil

biology (4 decks)

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