Biological Molecules Flashcards
How many types of biological molecule are there?
4
Name the biological molecules
What is meant by biological molecule?
an organic molecule containing carbon (usually in a long chain or ring-like structure) and hydrogen
What is the difference in structure of alpha glucose and beta glucose?
in alpha glucose, the hydroxyl group is below carbon 1 in the ring. In beta glucose, the hydroxyl group is found above carbon 1.
How many groups of carbohydrate molecules are there and what are their names?
3
monosaccharides, disaccharides and polysaccharides
What type of bond holds together carbohydrate molecules?
glycosidic
What is the general formula for a carbohydrate?
Cx(H2O)y
What is the most important element in biology?
Carbon
Why is carbon the most important element in biology?
Carbon can form up to 4 bonds and can easily bond to oxygen, hydrogen, sulphur or itself
What does the term monomer actually mean?
one part
mono - one
mer - part
What are the monomers of proteins?
amino acids
Which element do proteins contain that is not found in carbohydrates or lipids, but is found in nucleic acids?
Nitrogen
Which element, other than nitrogen, can be found in proteins but not in carbohydrates or lipids?
Sulphur
Proteins are generally divided into two structural groups. What are they?
Globular and fibrous
What type of bond holds amino acids together?
peptide bonds
Where do peptide bonds form between adjacent amino acids?
between the hydroxyl group of the carbonyl group at the end of one amino acid and the H atoms of the amine group at the other end of the next amino acid.
What functions do proteins carry out?
movement, cellular transport, immunity, hormones, enzymes and structure
What are carbohydrates used for?
energy release (glucose), energy storage (starch, glycogen), building other molecules such as nucleic acids, glycoproteins, glycolipids.
What features do all lipids have in common?
they are all insoluble in water due to their hydrophobic parts
How many elements are found in lipids?
Can you name them?
3
Carbon, hydrogen and oxygen
Unlike all the other biological molecules, lipids are not what?
polymers
Which two parts make up a lipid?
glycerol and fatty acids
Which types of chemicals fall into the wide group of lipids?
fatty acids, triglycerides, phospholipids, steroids, alcohols and esters
What are the common uses of lipids in organisms?
As energy storage, building cell membranes, insulation and organ protection
True or false?
all hydrophobic tails on lipids are the same length
False!
