biological molecules Flashcards
define biological molecules or biomolecule
organic molecule that is a molecule produced by and found in cells and living organisms
why are biological molecules important?
proper functioning of cells and by extension the organism
what do carbs consist of
carbon
hydrogen
oxygen
what is a carbohydrates main function
to be the main energy source in human
what are the 3 categories of carbohydrates
monosaccharides
disaccharides
polysaccharides
what does saccharide mean
sugar
define monosaccharide
made up of only one sugar unit
very small sweet soluble in water
examples: glucose fructose galactose
define disaccharide
made up of two sugar units
small sweet soluble in water
glucose + glucose = maltose
glucose + fructose = sucrose
glucose + galactose = lactose
polysaccharides
made up of more than two sugar units
large not sweet insoluble in water
starch glycogen cellulose
starch is a polymer of glucose
explain condensation reaction or dehydration synthesis
monomers joined by removal of OH from one monomer and H from other at site of bond formation
removal of water to form polymer
explain hydrolysis
monomers are released by addition of water molecule adding OH to one and H to other
define proteins
molecules which consist of carbon hydrogen oxygen nitrogen and sometimes sulfur and phosphorous
polymers and made up of small units called amino acids
examples: keratin collagen hemoglobin enzymes most hormones
give characteristics of amino acids
20 naturally occurring in nature
can bind with each other to form polypeptide chains
each protein has a different sequence of amino acids which changes its shape and function
define peptide bonds or links
bonds which hold amino acids residues together in a polypeptide chain or protein
define lipids
molecules which contain carbon hydrogen and oxygen
oils and fats
explain the difference between oils and fats
oil is liquid at room temperature
fat is solid at room temperature
but chemically they are the same
how are lipids different from carbohydrates
fewer oxygen atoms
what does a lipid consist of
one glycerol molecule bonded to three fatty acid molecules (tails)
