Biological Molecules Flashcards

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1
Q

What are anabolic and catabolic reactions

A

Anabolic - Larger molecules are built from smaller molecules
Catabolic - Larger molecules are broken down into smaller molecules

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2
Q

What is a condensation reaction

A

When a water molecule is released due to the bonding between two molecules

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3
Q

What is a hydrolysis reaction

A

When a water molecule is used to break the covalent bond between a molecule to form two smaller molecules

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4
Q

What is metabolism

A

The sum total of all the chemical reactions that take place in an
organism.

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5
Q

How does hydrogen bonding occur

A

The slight negative charge on the oxygen atom makes it attract
the slightly positive hydrogen atom of another water molecule.

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6
Q

What are the properties of water

A

High latent heat of vaporisation
High specific heat category
Ice is less dense than water
Effective solvent
Cohesion/adhesion
Surface tension
Transparent

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7
Q

Why does water having a high latent heat of vaporisation help life

A

Means that evaporation is an effective cooling mechanism as large amount of energy is required

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8
Q

Why does water having a high specific heat capacity help life

A

Lots of energy needed to heat water means it can provide a thermally stable environment

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9
Q

Why does ice being less dense than water help life

A

Water beneath ice is insulated, aquatic organisms can swim, habitat is provided

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10
Q

Explain the benefits of ice being less dense than water

A

insulates water underneath, aquatic organisms dont freeze, habitat is provided

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11
Q

Explain the benefits of water being transparrant

A

photosynthesis can occur underwater

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12
Q

Explain the benefits of water being an effective solvent

A

Medium for enzyme controlled reactions
Ions can be taken up via roots

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13
Q

Explain the benefits of water having surface tension

A

it provides a habitat for invertabrae

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14
Q

Explain the benefits of water having high latent heat of vaporisation

A

Lots of energy is needed for water to change state so it is an effective cooling mechanism

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15
Q

Explain the benefits of water having high specific heat capacity

A

Lots of energy needed to heat water up, means it provides a thermally stable environment

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16
Q

Explain the benefits of water having cohesion/adhesion

A

cohesive - helps transpiration stream
adhesion - adhesion of water to lignin in the xylem

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17
Q

Functions of Carbs

A

Energy source
Energy store
Structure
Form part of a larger molecule

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18
Q

What are monosaccharides

A

have between 3 and 6 carbons
sweet tasting
soluble in water

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19
Q

Draw a ribose

A

C5 H10 O5
pentose sugar,
O COHH CHOH CHOH CCH2OHH
pentagon with a branch

20
Q

Draw a glucose

A

C6 H12 O6
hexose sugar
O CHOH CHOH COHH CHOH CCH2OH
Hexagon with a branch

21
Q

What is maltose

A

glucose + glucose

22
Q

What is sucrose

A

glucose + fructose

23
Q

What is lactose

A

glucose + galactose

24
Q

What are the bonds between polysaccharides called

A

C-O-C glycosidic bonds

25
Q

What are the major polysaccharides

A

Starch (energy storage in plants
Cellulose (structural role in plants)
Glycogen (energy storage in animals)

26
Q

What is Amylose

A

Alpha glucose
1-4 glycosidic bonds
coiled

27
Q

What is the difference between alpha and beta glucose

A

the H is on top of the 1st carbon in alpha glucose
the OH is on top of the 1st carbon in beta glucose

28
Q

What is Amylopectin

A

Alpha glucose
1-4, 1-6 glycosidic bonds
coiled
side branches

29
Q

Glycogen structure

A

alpha glucose
1-4, 1-6 glycosidic bonds
coiled
side branches

30
Q

Starch and glycogen shared features

A

insoluble
energy storage molecules
glucose can be broken off ends via hydrolysis

31
Q

Cellulose structure

A

Beta glucose
1-4 glycosidic bonds
Every alternative glucose is rotated by 180
straight chain
hydrogen bonds between chains

32
Q

What is a fat

A

solid lipid

33
Q

what is an oil

A

liquid lipid

34
Q

Functions of lipid

A

Energy store
Energy production
Biological membranes
Insulation
Buoyancy
Protection
Waterproofing
Vitamin D, Bile and steroid hormone production

35
Q

What are triglycerides

A

Glycerol + 3 fatty acids

36
Q

What is Glycerol’s formula

A

H-(CHOH)3-H

37
Q

What do fatty acids look like

A

All have a carboxyl acid group at one end (COOH) and the rest of
the molecule is a hydrocarbon
Can be saturated or unsaturated

38
Q

What is a phospholipid structure

A

Phosphate group + Glycerol (hydrophilic)
+ 2 Fatty acids (hydrophobic)
CHOP

39
Q

Difference between triglycerides and phospholipids

A

Triglycerides = glycerol + 3 fatty acids, only ester bonds, all hydrophobic
Phospholipids = glycerol + 2 fatty acids + phosphate, phosphoester + ester bonds

40
Q

Why do organisms in cold climates have more unsaturated fatty acids

A

Because it makes the membrane more fluid as the unsaturated fats are bent and cant bunch up as closely

41
Q

Features of cholesterol

A

Not formed from glycerol/fatty acids
4 carbon rings
small and narrow
hydrophobic
regulates fluidity + strength

42
Q

Features of steroid hormone

A

Made from cholesterol
Lipophilic
Testosterone
Oestrogen
Progesterone

43
Q

What is the test for reducing sugar

A

Add Benedict’s reagent and boil mixture
If reducing sugar is present, it’ll go from Blue to Brick Red

44
Q

What is the test for non reducing sugars

A

Add HCL then neutralise with an alkali
Add Benedict’s reagent and boil
If non reducing sugars are present it’ll go from blue to brick red

45
Q

What is the test for lipids

A

Add ethanol and shake
Pour in water
If present, there should be a milky white emulsion

46
Q

What is the test for proteins

A

Add Biurets
Should go from blue to purple

47
Q

What is the test for starch

A

Add iodine solution
Should go from orange to blue black