Biological Molecules Flashcards
A starch molecule has a spiral shape. Explain why this shape is important to its function in cells.
- Compact
- occupies small space
- tightly packed;
The structure of cellulose is related to its role in plant cell walls. Explain how. (3)
- Long, straight, unbranched chains of Beta glucose;
- (Joined by) many WEAK hydrogen bonds;
- Form microfibrils / macrofibrils;
- Provide rigidity/strength/support;
Reject reference to strong
Compare and contrast the structure of starch and the structure of cellulose. [6 marks]
- Both polysaccharides OR Both are glucose polymers OR Both are made of glucose monomers;
- Both contain glycosidic bonds (between monomers);
- Both contain carbon, hydrogen and oxygen/C, H and O;
- Starch has α-glucose and cellulose has β-glucose;
- Starch (molecule) is helical/coiled and cellulose (molecule) is straight;
- Starch (molecule) is branched and cellulose is not/unbranched;
7.Cellulose has (micro/macro) fibrils and starch does not; - Starch has 1–6 glycosidic bonds and cellulose does not
OR Starch contains two types of molecule and cellulose contains one type of molecule
OR Starch is amylose and amylopectin and cellulose is one type of molecule;
Give one feature of starch and explain how this feature enables it to act as a storage substance.
- Helical / spiral So compact / tightly packed / can fit (lots) into a small space;
- Insoluble So no osmotic effect / does not leave cell / does not affect water potential;
- Large molecule / long chain So does not leave cell / contains large number of glucose units;
- Branched chains So rapid hydrolysis to remove glucose for respiration;
Hydrogen bonds are important in cellulose molecules. Explain why.
- Holds chains/cellulose molecules together/forms cross links between chains/cellulose molecules/forms microfibrils;
- Providing strength/rigidity (to cellulose/cell wall);
- Weak Hydrogen bonds provide strength in large numbers;
Describe how lactose is formed and where in the cell it would be attached to a polypeptide to form a glycoprotein.
- Glucose and galactose
- Joined by condensation
- Joined by glycosidic bond
- Added to polypeptide in Golgi
Describe how the student would show that reducing sugars were present in a solution. [3]
- Add Benedict’s;
- Heat to 95°C;
- Red/orange/yellow/green precipitate (shows reducing sugar present);
Describe how you would test a sample of food for the presence of starch. [2]
- Add potassium iodide (KI) solution to the food sample;
- Blue/black/purple indicates starch is present;
Describe how you would test a liquid sample for the presence of a lipid and how you would recognise a positive result. [2]
- (Mix / shake sample) with ethanol, then water and shake;
- Cloudy White / milky (emulsion);
Omega-3 fatty acids are unsaturated. What is an unsaturated fatty acid?
- Double bond(s);
- (Bonds) between carbon atoms within the hydrocarbon chain;
Describe how an ester bond is formed in a phospholipid molecule. [2]
- Condensation (reaction) OR Loss of water;
- Between of glycerol and fatty acid;
Some seeds contain lipids. Describe how you could use the emulsion test to show that a seed contains lipids. (3)
- Crush/grind;
- With ethanol/ alcohol, to dissolve the lipid;
- Then add water then shake;
- Forms a white emulsion / goes white;
Compare and contrast the structure and properties of triglycerides and phospholipids [5]
- Both contain ester bonds
- Both contain glycerol
- Fatty acids on both may be saturated or unsaturated
- Both are insoluble in water
- Both contain C, H and O but phospholipids are also contain P
- Triglyceride has three fatty acids and phospholipids have two fatty acids plus phosphate group
- Triglycerides are hydrophobic/non-polar and phospholipids have hydrophilic and hydrophobic region
- Phospholipids form monolayer/micelle/bilayer but triglycerides don’t.
Describe the biochemical tests you would use to confirm the presence of lipid, non-reducing sugar and amylase in a sample. [6]
Lipid
1. Add ethanol/alcohol then add water and shake/mix OR Add ethanol/alcohol and shake/mix then pour into/add water;
2. White/milky emulsion OR emulsion test turns white/milky;
Non-reducing sugar
3. Do Benedict’s test and stays blue/negative;
4. Boil with acid then neutralise with alkali;
5. Heat with Benedict’s and becomes red/orange (precipitate);
Amylase
6. Add biuret (reagent) and becomes purple/violet/mauve/lilac;
7. Add starch, (leave for a time), test for reducing sugar/absence of starch;
A student carried out the Benedict’s test. Suggest a method, other than using a colorimeter, that this student could use to measure the quantity of reducing sugar in a solution. [2]
- Filter and dry (the precipitate);
- Find mass/weight;
Draw alpha glucose.
Name the bonds found in Glycogen
1-4 AND 1-6 Glycosidic bonds
Name the monomers found in Lactose
(Alpha) Glucose & Galactose
Draw a molecule of glycerol.
Name the bond found between Glycerol and fatty acids.
ESTER
Why are lipids not classed as polymers? [3]
- Made from Fatty acids and glycerol
- not made from similar of identical repeating monomers
- Polymer are 3 or more (usually thousands) similar or identical monomers
Describe how a triglyceride molecule is formed [3]
- ONE glycerol molecule and THREE fatty acids
- Condensation reactions AND removal of THREE molecules of water
- Ester bonds are formed.
Describe how an ester bond is formed in a phospholipid molecule. [2]
- Condensation (reaction) OR Loss of water;
- Between OH of glycerol and OH of carboxyl group of fatty acid;
Describe the structure of a phospholipid molecule and explain how phospholipids are arranged in a plasma membrane [3]
- Glycerol joined to two fatty acid tails. Phosphate group joined to glycerol on opposite side. (joined by condensation reaction with ester bond).;
- Phospholipid has a charged, hydrophilic head (phosphate and glycerol) and non-polar hydrophobic tails (fatty acid chains)
- Arrange to form a phospholipid bilayer; (Hydrophilic head facing out towards water. Hydrophobic fatty acid chains facing in, away from water)