Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

Biology > Biological molecules > Flashcards

Biological molecules Flashcards

1
Q

What are the main elements found in carbohydrates?

A

Carbon

Hydrogen

Oxygen

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What is a monomer?

A

Individual molecules that make up a chain

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What is a polymer?

A

A long molecule made up of repeating smaller molecules, monomers, joined up together

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What is the name for a sugar monomer?

A

Saccharide or monosaccharide

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What is the name for 2 monosaccharides joined together?

A

Disaccharide

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What is the name for many saccharides joined together?

A

Polysaccharide

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What is the difference between alpha and beta glucose?

A

Alpha - hydroxyl group above

Beta- hydroxyl group below

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What is the test for reducing sugars?

A

Blue Benedict’s solution turns brick red on heating

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What is a condensation reaction?

A

When monomers are joined together

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What is always made during a condensation reaction?

A

Water

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

what type of reaction breaks down polymers into their monomers?

A

Hydrolysis

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Name 2 polysaccharides that make up starch

A

Amylose

Amylopectin

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What type of glucose makes starch?

A

Alpha

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Describe the shape of amylose molecules

A

Unbranched alpha glucose chain

Coiled

Compact

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Describe the shape of amylopectin molecules

A

Long branched alpha glucose

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Explain which molecule, amylose or amylopectin, can be broken down quickly to release glucose

A

Amylopectin, because its side branches let enzymes get to the glycosidic bonds quickly

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Why is it useful for starch to be insoluble in water?

A

Does not cause water to enter cells by osmosis - so can be used for storage without cells swelling up with water. It doesn’t affect the water potential.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What type of glucose makes glycogen?

A

Alpha

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Describe the shape of glycogen molecules

A

Long

Very branched alpha glucose

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

What makes glycogen a good storage molecule?

A

Lots of branches so glucose can be released off it quickly

Very compact

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What type of glucose makes up cellulose?

A

Beta

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

Describe the structure of cellulose

A

Long unbranched chains

Linked together by hydrogen bonds

To make strong microfibrils

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

What is the test for starch?

A

Brown iodine solution turns blue/black

Iodine solution is dissolved in potassium iodide solution

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

What are the 3 elements in lipids?

A

Carbon

Hydrogen

Oxygen

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Are lipids soluble in water?
No
26
What do lipids dissolve in?
Alcohol/ acetone
27
What is the difference between an oil and a fat?
Fats are solid at room temperature Oils are liquid at room temperature
28
What is a triglyceride?
3 fatty acids linked to 1 glycerol
29
What type of reaction joins the fatty acid to glycerol?
Condensation
30
What type of reaction would separate the fatty acid from glycerol?
Hydrolysis
31
What enzyme hydrolyses lipids?
Lipase
32
What is a saturated fatty acid?
Single C-C bonds only
33
What is an unsaturated fatty acid?
Double C=C bonds
34
How do unsaturated bonds affect the structure of lipids?
Make the molecules bend So cannot pack closely together So are solids at room temperature
35
What are the products when glycerol reacts with 3 fatty acids?
Triglyceride + 3 water molecules
36
What type of bond is formed when a fatty acid if joined with glycerol?
Ester
37
Draw an ester bond
C-O-C
38
Draw a triglyceride
``` G L - fatty acid Y C - fatty acid E R - fatty acid O L ```
39
What are the 2 main properties of lipids?
Energy store Insoluble in water
40
Why are lipids a good energy store?
Long fatty acid chains contain lots of stored chemical energy
41
What are the 5 main uses of lipids?
Plasma membranes Waterproofing Insulation Energy source Protection
42
Give an example where lipids are used as waterproofing
Waxy cuticle of plants and insects
43
What is a phospholipid?
Triglyceride where 1 fatty acid is replaced by 1 phosphate group
44
What are the 2 main parts of a phospholipid?
Hydrophilic phosphate head Hydrophobic fatty acid tail
45
How do phospholipids position themselves in water?
Hydrophilic head close to water Hydrophobic tail far away from water
46
Where are phospholipids found in cells?
Cell membranes - phospholipid bilayer
47
What is the test for lipids?
1. Shake sample with ethanol for about a minute 2. Then add water and shake 3. Cloudy precipitate = lipid present
48
What are the 4 groups attached around the central carbon of an amino acid?
NH2 (amino group) COOH (carboxylic acid group) H (hydrogen) R (variable group)
49
What monomer makes up a protein?
Amino acid
50
What is the name of the polymer made of lots of amino acids joined together?
Polypeptide
51
What is the name of the chemical bond joining amino acids together?
Peptide bond
52
What reaction joins amino acids together?
Condensation
53
What are the products when 2 amino acids join together?
Dipeptide and water
54
What is the name of the enzyme that breaks down polypeptides?
Protease
55
What reaction breaks down polypeptides?
Hydrolysis
56
What is a polymerisation reaction?
When lots of monomers are joined together
57
What is the primary structure of a protein?
Order and sequence of the different amino acids
58
Why is the primary structure important?
Determines the shape of the protein and will affect its function
59
What bonds are found in the primary protein structure?
Peptide
60
What is the secondary structure of proteins?
Alpha helix Beta pleating
61
What bonds cause the secondary structure of a protein?
Hydrogen bonds between C=O and N-H
62
What is the tertiary structure of a protein?
Twisted and folded 3D shape of protein
63
What bonds cause the tertiary structure of a protein?
Disulphide bonds - strong bonds Ionic bonds - weaker Hydrogen bonds - easily broken
64
What is the quaternary structure of proteins?
Number of polypeptide chains that make up the protein
65
What is the chemical test for proteins?
Biuret test Alkaline solution of very dilute copper sulphate solution Pale blue solution turns purple
66
What is the function of fibrous proteins?
Structure
67
Give examples of fibrous proteins
Collagen Keratin
68
What is a globular protein?
Carry out metabolic functions
69
Give examples of globular proteins
Enzymes Hormones Haemoglobin
70
What is a catalyst?
Speeds up rate of chemical reaction without being used up
71
What is an enzyme?
Biological catalyst
72
What are enzymes made from?
Proteins
73
How do enzymes change the rate of reaction?
Lower activation energy needed
74
What 3 things have to happen for a chemical reaction to take place?
Particles collide with enough energy correct orientation
75
How do enzymes change the rate of reaction?
Lower activation energy
76
What is the substrate?
Substance/ reactant that fits into the active site
77
What is formed when the substrate fits into the active site?
Enzyme-substrate complex
78
How does the enzyme substrate complex lower the activation energy?
When joining 2 molecules - holds them close together to reduce repulsion When splitting molecules - strains the bonds to break up more easily
79
In the lock and key model, what is the lock?
Enzyme (active site)
80
In the lock and key model, what is the key?
Substrate
81
What is the induced fit model?
Substrate makes the active site change shape slightly;y to fit in to it
82
Does the substrate have the same shape as the active site?
No - complementary shape
83
What determines the shape of the active site?
Tertiary structure of protein
84
How can the tertiary structure of an enzyme be changed?
Change in temperature Change in pH Primary structure of protein changes
85
What are the 2 ways to measure the rate of reaction?
How fast product is made How substrate is broken down/used up
86
Why does the rate of an enzyme reaction slow down and stop above a certain temperature?
Enzyme molecules vibrate more Vibration breaks some of the bonds holding the enzyme together Enzyme loses shape Active site changes shape Substrate no longer fits into active site Enzyme DENATURES
87
Why does increasing the substrate concentration increase the rate of reaction?
More substrate molecules so more chance of collisions
88
Why does the rate of reaction stay the same at saturation point?
All the active sites of all the enzymes are full with substrate

Biology (19 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions