Biological Molecules Flashcards
How and where is glucose stored in plants
Starch, stored in chloroplasts and sinks such as tubers
How and where is glucose stored in animals
Glycogen, stored in liver
State one similarity and two differences between starch and glycogen
- both glucose
- starch–>plants, glycogen–>animals
- starch is coiled
Which elements make up carbohydrates
C, H, O
(carbon, hydrogen, oxygen)
Which elements make up proteins
C, H, O, N
(carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen)
some, but not all, may contain a small quantity of sulfur (S)
Which elements make up lipids
C, H, O
(carbon, hydrogen, oxygen)
much less oxygen than carbohydrates
Shape of glucose
hexagon
Test for reducing sugars
Benedicts solution
Default color of benedict’s solution
blue
Positive test result for benedict’s solution
orange-red
(spectrum, turns green and yellow first before turning orange-red)
Test for starch
Iodine
Positive test result for starch with iodine
Blue/black
How is the liver involved with regulating glucose levels in blood
If there is too much glucose in bloodstream, the liver links it together and stores it as glycogen
What is a fat molecule made of?
One glycerol and three fatty acids
How is a fatty acid molecule represented
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
What is the difference between fats and oils
fats are solid at room temp, oils are liquid at room temp
Two types of lipids
fats and oils
Solubility of lipids
Insoluble in water, soluble in ethanol
Test for lipids
Ethanol emulsion test
Emulsion
a liquid containing two sibstances that do not fully mix where one forms tiny droplets dispersed throughout the other
How does the ethanol emulsion test work
The food is shaken with ethanol, allowing potential lipids to dissolve in it. The ethanol is then placed in water. Lipids are immiscible and insoluble with water, so the lipids dissolved in ethanol will form an emulsion with water, giving it a milky appearance
Uses for fats in animals
- making cell membranes
- energy storage
- insulation (retain heat)
- forms around organs and protects them
Tissue where fats are is stored in humans
Adipose tissue, beneath the skin
What are proteins made of?
Amino acids
Uses for proteins in animals
- enzymes, which catalyze metabolic reactions
- antibodies, which protect body from pathogens
- haemoglobin, pigment in red blood cells that binds to oxygen
- carrier proteins, for active transport
- keratin —> hair and fingernails
- DNA!!!!!
Test for proteins
Biuret reagent
Which biological molecule stores the most energy per gram
lipids
8 uses for glucose in plants
- energy for active transport
- growth (building proteins)
- starch (storage)
- sucrose (transportation)
- cellulose (cell walls)
- nectar (attracts pollinators)
- create amino acids
- create chlorophyll
Positive test result biuret reagent
Purple!
Default color biuret reagent
Blue
Test for Vitamin C
DCPIP
Positive result DCPIP
colorless
Default color DCPIP
Purple
Breakdown of starch steps
Starch (long coil) —> Maltose (two glucoses) —> Glucose (single unit)
