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A Level Biology > Biological Molecules > Flashcards

Biological Molecules Flashcards

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1
Q

Monomers

A

Smaller units from which larger molecules are made/the components of larger molecules

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2
Q

Polymers

A

Molecules made from a large number of monomers joined together

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3
Q

Examples of monomers (3)

A

Monosaccharides, amino acids and nucleotides

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4
Q

Condensation Reaction

A

Joins two molecules together with the formation of a chemical bond and involves the elimination of a molecule of water

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5
Q

Hydrolysis Reaction

A

Breaks a chemical bond between two molecules and involves the use of a water molecule (opposite of condensation reaction)

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6
Q

Carbohydrates

A

Long chains of sugar molecules called polysaccharides, formed from monosaccharides and consisting only of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen

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7
Q

Single carbohydrate monomer

A

Monosaccharide

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8
Q

Pair of carbohydrate monomers

A

Disaccharide

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9
Q

Condensation Reaction between two monosaccharides to form a disaccharide

A

Forms a glycosidic bond and a molecule of water is removed, from a hydroxyl group on one sugar and a hydrogen on another

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10
Q

What happens when polysaccharides are broken down during digestion?

A

A hydrolysis reaction occurs in which a water molecule is added to break the glycosidic bond

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11
Q

Maltose

A

Dissaccharide formed by condensation of two glucose molecules

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12
Q

Sucrose

A

Disaccharide formed by condensation of a
glucose molecule and a fructose molecule

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13
Q

Lactose

A

Disaccharide formed by condensation of a
glucose molecule and a galactose molecule

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14
Q

Structure of monosaccharides e.g. fructose and glucose

A

Ring structure with the general formula (CH2O)n where n can be 3-7

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15
Q

Glucose

A

Hexose sugar (6 carbon atoms), main substrate for respiration, two isomers of alpha glucose and beta glucose which differ the position of the hydrogen and hydroxyl group on the right hand carbon

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16
Q

α-glucose

A

Hydrogen atom above the carbon

17
Q

β-glucose

A

Hydrogen atom below the carbon

18
Q

How are polysaccharides formed?

A

The condensation of many glucose units

19
Q

Which polysaccharides are formed by the condensation of alpha glucose?

A

Glycogen and starch

20
Q

Which polysaccharide is formed by the condensation of beta glucose?

A

Cellulose

21
Q

Glycogen (polysaccharide)

A
  • Main energy storage molecule in animals found in small granules mainly in liver and some in muscles
  • Formed from many alpha glucose molecules joined in 1,4 and 1,6 glycosidic bonds
  • Large number of side branches with shorter chains for large surface area for enzyme action to release energy quickly/when needed
  • More compact than amylopectin, which means more can be stored in a cell/ maximising the amount of energy it can store
22
Q

Function of starch and two types

A
  • Stores energy in plants/broken down when energy is needed (excess glucose)
  • A mixture of two polysaccharides called amylose and amylopectin
  • Found in the form of small grains and large amounts in seeds and storage organs
23
Q

Amylose (Starch)

A
  • Unbranched spiralling chains of alpha-glucose molecules in 1,4 glycosidic bond
  • Coiled structure so very compact so lots of amylose can be packed into a cell, stores lots of energy
24
Q

Amylopectin (Starch)

A
  • Branched chains of alpha-glucose molecules in 1,4 and ,6 glycosidic bonds
  • Branches increase its surface area which means that enzyme can quickly break it apart when glucose is needed for respiration
25
Q

Key Properties of Starch (3)

A
  • insoluble so will not affect cell water potential
  • compact so a lot of energy can be stored in a small space
  • when it is hydrolysed the released alpha glucose can be transported easily
26
Q

Cellulose

A
  • Component of cell walls in plants
  • Long, unbranched chains of beta glucose joined by glycosidic bonds
  • Multiple chains linked by hydrogen bonding to form strong structures called micofibrils
27
Q

Microfibrils (Cellulose)

A
  • Strong threads made of long cellulose chains running parallel to one another that are joined together by hydrogen bonds forming strong cross linkages
  • Join to form macrofibrils
  • help to give plant cells their shape and structural support
28
Q

Importance of cellulose

A
  • Stops the cell wall bursting under osmotic pressure because it exerts inward pressure that stops the influx of water
  • Cells stay turgid and rigid, helping to maximise the surface area
    of plants for photosynthesis
29
Q

Benedict’s Test for Reducing Sugars

A
30
Q

Benedict’s Test for Non-Reducing Sugars

A
31
Q

To accurately measure amount of reducing sugar in a sample

A
32
Q

Iodine Test for Starch

A
33
Q

What is a reducing sugar?

A
34
Q

What is a non-reducing sugar?

A

A Level Biology (8 decks)

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