Biological molecules Flashcards
What is a monomer?
A small sub-unit that can join with others to make a larger molecule.
What is a polymer?
A larger molecule made from two or more monomers.
What is a condensation reaction?
Monomers are joined to form a larger molecule, a bond, and a molecule of water.
What is a hydrolysis reaction?
A larger molecule is broken down into monomers by adding a molecule of water.
What are carbohydrates made up of?
Carbon, hydrogen, oxygen.
What bonds do carbohydrates form?
Glycosidic bonds.
What is an isomer?
Compounds with a single chemical formula but in different forms that impact its properties.
What are monosaccharides?
Single sugars named after their number of carbon atoms.
What is the formula of a monosaccharide?
(CH2O)n
What isomers does glucose exist as and what is the difference between them?
Alpha glucose, OH group below.
Beta glucose, OH group above.
What are disaccharides?
Two monosaccharides.
What are polysaccharides? Three examples?
Chains of molecules that are not classed as sugars.
Starch, glycogen, cellulose.
Describe the role and structure of starch.
A glucose storage molecule in plants.
alpha glucose monomers, 1-4 glycosidic bonds, 10-30% helical amylose, 70-90% branched amylopectin with additional 1-6 glycosidic bonds.
How is starch adapted for its function?
Insoluble so doesnt affect cells water potential.
Branched so easily accessible for respiration.
Describe the role and structure of glycogen.
Glucose storage molecule in animals.
alpha glucose molecules.
1-4 glycosidic bonds with additional 1-6 glycosidic bonds.
How is glycogen adapted for its function?
Highly branched so accessible for respiration.
Describe the role and structure of cellulose.
Forms microfibrils in cell walls that are embedded in a framework of substances to give the cell strength and support.
beta glucose molecules.
1-4 glycosidic bonds.
alternating molecules flipped 180° to allow for bonding of hydroxyl groups.
What elements do lipids contain?
Carbon, hydrogen, oxygen.
What bonds do lipids form?
Ester bonds.
What are the two types of lipids?
Triglycerides and phospholipids