Biological Molecules Flashcards

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1
Q

Definition of a monomer

A

Smaller repeating units; building blocks of polymers

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2
Q

Macromolecules are:

A

large molecules with 3D structures and functions

Like proteins

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3
Q

Monomers of proteins are:

A

Amino acids

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4
Q

An amino acid is made up of:

Four things to mention

A
  • An amine group -NH4
  • A central carbon
  • An ‘R’ group
  • A carboxyl group -COOH
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5
Q

A dipeptide is made up of what with what bond?

A
  • Two amino acids
  • A peptide bond
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6
Q

Polypeptide are

A

Dipeptides joined together by a peptide bond

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7
Q

Polypeptide are

A

Dipeptides joined together by a peptide bond

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8
Q

What is the variable ‘R’ group?

A

It’s the part of the amino acid that determines how the amino acid will interact in the environment and with other amino acids

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9
Q

Amino acids are linked together with what reaction to form what bond?

A
  • Condensation reaction
  • Peptide bond
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10
Q

How many amino acids are there? How many are essential?

A
  • 20 amino acids
  • 9 essential
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11
Q

How many stages of folding can a protein go through?

A

Four

Primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary

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12
Q

What happens in the primary structure?

A

The amino acids bond together with a peptide bond to form a polypeptide chain

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13
Q

What happens in the secondary structure?

A

Hydrogen bonds form between neaby amino acids between the amine and the carboxyl groups within the chain

This folds the chain

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14
Q

What happens in the tertiary structure?

A

More bonds occur such as:
- Disulphide bonds
- Ionic bonds
- More hydrogen bonds
- Polar interactions

This further folds the chain into a 3D shape

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14
Q

What happens in the tertiary structure?

A

More bonds occur such as:
- Disulphide bonds
- Ionic bonds
- More hydrogen bonds
- Polar interactions

This further folds the chain into a 3D shape

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15
Q

What happens in th quaternary structure?

A

Multiple polypeptide chains are bonded together to form something much more advanced and specific

Not all proteins have to have a quaternary structure

16
Q

What are the two types of proteins?

A

Globular and Fibrous

17
Q

What is the most abundant molecule?

A

Carbohydrates

18
Q

Monomers of polysaccharides are?

A

Monosaccharides

19
Q

Monosaccharides are bonded together through what reaction with which bond?

A
  • Condensation reaction
  • Glycosidic bond
20
Q

The monomers for sucrose are?

A

Glucose and fructose

21
Q

The monomers for lactose are?

A

Glucose and galactose

22
Q

Monomers for maltose are?

A

Glucose and Glucose

Glucose is classified as a monosaccharide

23
Q

Two isomers of glucose are?

Isomers are compounds with the same formula but different arrangement

A

A-glucose
B-glucose

24
Q

How is a-glucose structured?

A

As a coil

25
Q

How is b-glucose structured?

A

Like a zigzag

26
Q

Why are carbon-containing molecules classed as organic molecules?

A

They easily bond with eachother and create a strong backbone for other molecules to add on

27
Q

Test for proteins and result?

A
  • Biuret test
  • Blue to violet
28
Q

Test for reducing sugars and result?

All monosaccharides and some disaccharides are reducing sugars

A
  • Benedict’s test
  • Blue to brick red
29
Q

Test for polysaccharides and result?

Basically the Benedict’s test with extra steps

Polysaccharides aren’t reducing sugars, so we have to break them down into them for the test to work

A
  1. Put small amount of sample in test tube
  2. Add HCL and boil for 1 minute- to hydrolyse(split up the saccharide)
  3. Add sodium hydrogen carbonate (to neutralise)
  4. Put into water bath for 5 minutes
  5. Positive test = brick red solution
30
Q

Why is glucose stored as glycogen in humans?

A
  • Glucose is very reactive on its own - can interfere in reactions
  • Will also affect water potential
31
Q

How is glucose stored in humans and plants?

A
  • Glucagon in humans
  • Starch in plants
32
Q

Lipids aren’t solube in water but are soluble in?

A

organic ssolutions such as acetone or alcohols

33
Q

Can lipids dissolve in water?

A

No - they are hydrophobic

34
Q

What is a fatty acid?

A

A chain of 4-24 hydrocarbons and a carboxyl group

35
Q

Lipids are held together using what bonds?

A

Ester bonds

36
Q

What do catabolic reactions do?

A

Break larger molecules into smaller ones

37
Q

What do anabolic reactions do?

A

Build larger molecules from smaller ones

38
Q

Monomers of lipids

A

Fatty acids and glycerol

Found most commonly in the form of triglycerides