biological molecules Flashcards
what is a monomer (examples)
and what is polymer
monomer = smaller units from which larger molecules are made (amino acids, nucleotides, monosaccharides)
polymers = made from large number of monomers joined together
what is a macromolecule and what is an example
A macromolecule is a massive molecule
lipids
what is a triglyside
3 fatty acids connected to a glucose molecule
what elements are common to all molecules of life
carbon, hydrogen and oxygen
what are the 4 main groups of carbon based molecules important to all molecules of life and what they have/do.
carbohydrates - respiratory substrates which provide energy for cells also used for structure in cell membranes and cell walls in plants
lipids - can be used as respiratory substrates which provide energy for cells, Form a bilayer in cell membranes and make up some hormones
proteins - main component of subcellular structures, form enzymes and chemical messengers
nucleic acids - form polymers (DNA and RNA) which make up the genetic material of a cell and code for the sequence of amino acids creating protines
what is a monosaccharide
and a polysaccharide
A singular sugar e.g glucose. The monomers of long chain carboyhdrate polymers
polysaccaride- multiple sugars creating a long chain they include cellulose, starch and glycogen
what is a condensation reaction
it joins to monomers together with the formation of a covalent bond and involves the elimination of a water molecule
the monomers are joined by the removal of a OH ion from one and a H from another then the 2 monomers can covalently bond
what is a hydrolysis reaction
The reaction breaks the covalent bond between two monomers and involves the use of a water molecule
monomers are separated by the addition of water by adding OH to one monomer and H to the other
what is a disaccharide
two monosaccharides join through a condensation reaction forming a glycosidic bond between the two OH groups e.g. maltose, sucrose and lactose
what is glucose and what are its isomers and there structures
Glucose is a hexose sugar that can form a-glucose and b- glucose
on carbon 1 the H and OH are swapped bringing H to the bottom and OH to the top in b-glucose
what is the structure of starch
its monosaccharide is a-glucose and is a mixture of polysaccharides ( Amylose and amylopectin)
What are the uses of starch
plants use starch as a way of storing excess glucose as it is too large to leave cells and insoluble. starch can be hydrolysed to relaces glucose for respiration
what are the properties of glycogen
lots of branches increase surface area for enzymes to hydrolyse glycosidic bonds allowing glucose to be released quickly when needed for respiration e.g. during exercise. It is also a compact molecule meaning it is good for storage.
what are the properties of amylose in starch
coiling makes it compact and stores in a smaller space
what are the properties of amylopectin in starch
branches increase the surface area for enzymes to hydrolyse glycosidic bonds allowing glucose to be released quickly has (1,4 or 1,6 bonds)
