Biological Molecules Flashcards
What is the General formula of Carbohydrates?
(CH2O)n
Name some Small molecules ( roughly 30 Carbon atoms with a molecular weight of 100-1000)
Sugars, amino acids, nucleotides, lipids/fats
Examples of Large molecules (macromolecules)
Polysaccharides, proteins, nucleic acids
Name the 2 types of monosaccharide and the difference between them
Ketone = ketose (with =O in the middle) Aldehyde = aldose (with =O on the end)
Describe the structure of glucose
6 carbon atoms
D or L configuration ( depends on the C atom- whether its asymmetric or not)
Can exist in long chain or ring structure
What is the Difference between alpha and beta glucose?
Alpha- OH groups on opposite sides of the carbon (on the c1 and c4)
Beta- the oh groups on the same side of c1 and c4
Give examples of some disaccharides
Sucrose= galactose + fructose Lactose= galactose + glucose
What happens when a disaccharide breaks apart?
Condensation reaction releases water ( breaking of 1-4 glycosidic bond)
Give examples of some polysaccharides
Cellulose (beta 1-4 glycosidic bonds)
Starch/ glycogen ( alpha 1-4 glycosidic bonds)
Describe the structure of glycogen
Made of aldose
It’s a hexose
It is very compact and branches for 1-6 glycosidic bonds
What is an Oligosaccharide
Contain many different monosaccharides
Give an Example of oligosaccharides
Blood groups- difference in monosaccharides -> difference in structure -> difference in space and difference in antibodies needed
Describe the structure of an Amino acid
Amine group, R group and a carboxylic acid group all around a central Carbon atom
What happens when 2 amino acids bond?
Peptide and releases water in a condensation reaction
Name and describe the types of protein structure
Primary = covalent bonds forming polymers
Secondary = regular folded form in helixes or sheets
Tertiary structure= 3D structure
Quaternary structure= multiple different secondary structures together
Name some Other functions of amino acids ( not making proteins)
They are the bases for which all hormones are made
Describe the structure of a Nucleotide
Sugar, base and phosphate
What holds nucleotides together?
Sugar phosphate binding to make chains which turns into helixes
How many bonds between opposite bases?
G-C = 3 Hydrogen bonds T-A = 2 Hydrogen bonds
Where is the oxygen lost from in the DEOXYribose?
2’ carbon atom
AMP- what does it stand for and what does it do?
Adenosine monophosphate
cAMP- Second messenger model
AMP (straight chain) - RNA synthesis
Meaning of saturated, unsaturated cis and trans as relating to lipids
Saturated= no C-C double bonds Unsaturated= some C-C double bonds
Cis= H atoms same side of carbon chain - its bent Trans= H atoms opposite side of carbon chain
Describe the structure of a triglyceride
Glycerol and 3 fatty acids- the bonds between them is an ester bond
Describe the structure and function of a Phospholipid
Glycerol, 2 fatty acids and a phosphate group
Make up cell membranes ( using a hydrophilic head and a hydrophobic tail)
