Biological molecules Flashcards
What is a monomer?
small repeating units from which larger molecules called polymers are made
What is a polymer?
Molecules made from a large number of monomers (3 or more) joined together
What is a condensation reaction?
A condensation reaction joins 2 molecules together with the formation of a chemical bond by removing water
What is a hydrolysis reaction?
A reaction which breaks a chemical bond between 2 molecules and involves the use of a water molecule
What is a monosaccharide? plus examples and extra info
they are the monomers from which all larger carbohydrates are made, for example Glucose, Galactose and Fructose (C6H12O6)
they are soluble
general formular of (CH²0)n
2 join to form disaccarides
many join to form polysaccharides
Important monosaccarides
Alpha glucose (penguin)
Beta glucose (Egyptian)
Galactose (raver)
Fructose (witches hat)
Disaccarides
2 monosaccarides joined in a condensation reaction with glycosidic bonds
equation- c6H12O6 + C6H12O6 —-> C12H22O11 + H20
reaction happens between OH groups on carbon 4 and 1
examples; Glucose+glucose= Maltose
Glucose+fructose=sucrose Glucose+Galactose=Lactose
Hydrolysis of disaccarides
During digestion glycosidic bonds in dissacarides are hydrolyzed into monosaccarides as only monomers are small enough to cross the cell surface membrane
equation; C12H22O11 + H2O —–> C6H12O6 + C6H12O6
What is a polysaccharide?
A type of polymer formed by many monosaccarides together via condensation reactions, large and insoluble so great for energy storage and structural molecules
Structure and function of starch
Starch is a storage polysaccharide in plants, it is how they store glucose made in photosynthesis ( it is later hydrolysed for respiration)
it is a polymer of alpha glucose with alpha 1-4 glycosidic bonds
It has a helical structure so is compact
also contains 1-6 glycosidic bonds so it can branch which provides more ends for faster enzyme action
structure and function of Glycogen
Glycogen is a polymer of alpha glucose
found mostly in liver and muscle cells
alpha 1-4 glycosidic bonds
is coiled which makes it compact
it is insoluble so doesn’t effect water potential
large so can’t move out of cell
highly branched 1-6 glycosidic bonds to give it a larger surface area for faster hydorolysis for respiration
Structure and function of cellulose
Cellulose is a polymer of beta glucose ( every other beta glucose has to flip 180⁰)
adds structure to cell walls
beta glucose form 1-4 glycosidic bonds and long straight chains
several chains are joined by many hydrogen bonds (Strong in large numbers)
This forms microfibrils which are further wound into cellulose fibers which provide strength and rigidity and support cell walls
Test for reducing sugars
- Add equal volumes of benedicts solution and sample to a test tube
2.heat to 95⁰c for 5 mins
3.formation of a brick red precipitate shows positive if it stays blue it is negative.
Test for non reducing sugars (sucrose)
1.boil a fresh sample with hydrochloric acid for 5 mins
(thus hydrolysises the glycosidic bonds to produce reducing sugars)
2. neutralise the solution by adding sodium hydrogen carbonate
3.Do reducing sugars test same result show positive/negative
Test for unknown concentrations of reducing sugars
Calibration curve to turn it into a quantities test
1. make up several known concentrations of reducing sugar
2.carry out Benedicts test
3.use a colourmeter to measure the absorbance
4.plot calibration curve
conc on x axis and Absorbance on Y axis
5.Carry out benedicts test on sample+measure its absorbance
6. use Y value on curve to find conc of unknown sample on X axis
Role of lipids
Source of energy- 2x as much energy per g the carbs when oxidised( so are good for respiration)
insulation- Don’t conduct heat well so help animals retain heat.Also electrical insulators and so make up myelin sheath around axons
protection-Important organs have a layer of fat to protect them
Waterproofing- plants and insects have waxy lipid cuticles to conserve water.Animals produce sebum
Triglycerides structure
Made of 1 molecule of glycerol joined to 3 fatty acids via 3 condensation reactions to form 3 Esther bonds between the carboxyl group of fatty acid and hydroxyl group of the glycerol
Saturated fatty acids vs unsaturated fatty acids
Saturated fatty acids have no double bonds(all bonds are saturated)
Unsaturated fatty acids have double bonds between the carbon atoms in the hydrocarbon chain thus makes them bend+ liquid at room temp as cannot pack Close together
Polyunsaturated- more than 1 double bond between carbons
structure of triglycerides related to their properties
Triglycerides are hydrophobic/non polar
They conatin lots of energy as high ration of C-H bonds compared to C-C
Low energy:Mass ratio excellent for energy storage as more energy smaller space
High ratio of H-O bonds, they release water when oxidised so xan be important water source for animals(dessert)