Biological Molecules Flashcards
What is a Monomer?
-A small molecule which usually joins up with others to form larger molecules.
What is a polymer?
-A large molecule consisting of many monomers
what is a Monosaccharide?
A single carbohydrate monomer.
what is a disaccharide?
2 carbohydrate monomers joined together.
what is a polysaccharide?
A chain of monosaccharides.
what is Condensation?
A reaction during which water is removed when a bond forms.
What is Hydrolysis?
A reaction during which water is added in order to break a bond.
what are examples of monosaccharides?
Glucose, fructose and galactose.
what are isomers?
molecules with the same molecular formula as each other, but with the atoms connected in a different way.
how are monosaccharides joined together?
they are joined together by condensation reactions. a glycosidic bond forms between the two monosaccharides as a molecule of water is released.
what is the theory of evolution?
the theory that all organisms on earth are descended from one or a few common ancestors and that they have changed and diversified over time.
how can biological polymers be broken down into monomers?
by hydrolysis reactions. A hydrolysis reaction breaks the chemical bond between monomers using s water molecule. (opposite of condensation reaction).
what is the role of carbohydrates?
1) Energy supply for cells- Main role of carbohydrates.
2) Energy storage - Sugar can be stored as complex carbohydrates e.g. starch/ glycogen.
3) Structural components - Cellulose + chitin are used in cell walls.
4) Cellular recognition - Glycoproteins help cells identify each other + communicate.
5) Building blocks for biological molecules - Deoxyribose + ribose can be used to make nucleic acids.
What are the different types of carbohydrates?
Monosaccharides, Disaccharides and Polysaccharides.
Describe a Monosaccharide.
- One (Monomer)
- E.g. Glucose, Fructose and galactose.
- Main function is energy source.
describe a Disaccharide.
- Two(Dimer)
- E.g Maltose, Sucrose, Lactose.
- Main function is a transport form.
Describe a Polysaccharide.
-Many (polymer)
-E.g Starch, Glycogen,Cellulose.
- Main function is a storage form.
name three hexose sugars. (6 carbon atoms)
- Glucose, Fructose and galactose.
name two pentose sugars. (5 carbon atoms)
- Ribose and Deoxyribose.
what is the general formula for a carbohydrate?
- CnH2nOn
wha tis the formula for glucose?
C6H12O6
how many ways can the atoms in glucose be arranged?
two ways meaning that there are two isomers of glucose
- Alpha glucose (α-glucose)
-Beta glucose (β-glucose)
what is the main difference between alpha and beta glucose?
- The orientation of the hydroxyl group (OH) on the carbon 1
- in Alpha glucose the hydroxyl group is below and in beta glucose the hydroxyl group is above.
What is the use for glucose?
1) ** it is soluble** as the hydroxyl groups can form hydrogen bonds with the water, so it can be transported around organisms.
2)its bonds store lots of energy - this energy is released when the bonds are broken.