Biological Molecules Flashcards
What chemical elements make up proteins?
C, H, O, N,S
Name the 3 disaccarides and the monosaccarides they’re made up of
Maltose - Glucose + Glucose
Sucrose - Glucose + Fructose
Lactose - Glucose + Galactose
What shape does amylose form?
Coiled into a helix (not straight, unbranded)
What is the larger structure of cellulose?
- Hydrogen bonds hold individual cellulose chains together to form myofibrils
- Myofibrils join together to form macrofibrils
How are triglycerides synthesised?
- via condensation reactions
- the OH group on the glycerol and on 3 fatty acids react to release 3 water molecules and form 3 ester bonds
What is the main function of triglycerides and what makes them adapted to this?
- Main function is to store energy in animals, plants and some bacteria
Adapted with - long hydrocarbon tails
- low mass to energy ratio
- insoluble
- high ratio of hydrogen to oxygen atoms
What is the function of cholesterol in a membrane and what can they be used to make?
In membranes - To increase stability and reduce fluidity
Can be used to make - steroid hormones, vitamin D and bile
Describe the secondary structure of a protein
Folding of the polypeptide chain into an alpha helix or beta pleated sheet
Where do H bonds form when proteins fold into a secondary structure?
- Between amine group of one amino acid (NH2)
- And the carboxyl group (COOH) of another amino acid further down the chain
What type of bond forms between a positive and negative R group?
Ionic
What characteristic allows Hb to carry 4 oxygen molecules at once?
Made up of 4 polypeptide chains, each containing a haem prosthetic group with an iron atom that binds to oxygen
What is the structure of insulin?
- Globular protein
- Made up of 2 polypeptide chains that are held together by disulfide bonds
What are the properties of a fibrous protein?
- Formed from long, insoluble molecules
- Limited range of amino acids, with small R groups
- Very organised structures
- Not folded into complex three dimensional shapes
