Biological Molecules Flashcards
What are monomers?
The smaller units from which larger molecules are made (e.g. polymers)
What are polymers?
Molecules made from a large number of monomers joined together.
What is a monosaccharide?
The monomers from which larger carbohydrates are made.
E.g. glucose, fructose, galactose
What is a disaccharide?
-formed by the condensation of two monosaccharides
-held in place by a glycosidic bond
-e.g. Maltese, sucrose, lactose.
What is a polysaccharide?
-formed by the condensation of many glucose units
-held by glycosidic bonds
-e.g. starch, glycogen, cellulose.
What is cellulose?
-polysaccharide in plant cell walls
-formed by the condensation of Ɓ-glucose.
-straight chained.
What is glycogen?
-polysaccharide in animals
-formed by the condensation if a-glucose.
-is branded, good for quick energy release (hydrolysis at snds)
What is starch?
-polysaccharide in plants
-formed by the condensation of a-glucose
-contains 2 polymers.. amylose and amylopectin.
Compare cellulose glycogen and starch…
What is a glycosidic bond?
C-O-C link
Between two sugar molecules
Formed by a condensation reaction
It is a covalent bond.
Can be 1-4 or 1-6.
What is amylose?
Polysaccharide in starch
Made of a-glucose
Joined by 1-4 glycosidic bonds
Coils to form helix.
Helix structure means its very compacted and good for storage (can store alot in a small space).
What is amylopectin?
Polysaccharide in starch
Made of a-glucose
Joined by 1-4 and 1-6 glycosidic bonds
Branched structure due to 1-6 bonds.
Branched structure means that there are many ends, so good for quick release of energy (more ends for hydrolysis)
What is a condensation reaction?
A reaction that joins two molecules together
With the formation of a chemical bond
Involves the elimination of a water molecules.
What are the types of bonds formed by condensation reactions?
-glycosidic (sugars)
-peptide (proteins)
-ester (lipids)
What is hydrolysis?
-a reaction that breaks a chemical bond.
-between two molecules.
-involves the use of a water molecule.
