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biology a level > Biological Molecules > Flashcards

Biological Molecules Flashcards

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AP® Biology flashcards
1
Q

What kind of molecule is water?

A

It is a polar molecule

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2
Q

What does oxygen have that makes it good at bonding?

A

High electronegativity

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3
Q

What happens to the hydrogen nucleus when it is bonded to oxygen?

A

It stays in the middle, but on the other side to the hydrogen-oxygen bond it is slightly positively charged.

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4
Q

What does the charge difference in hydrogen atoms allow?

A

It allows the hydrogen to bond to another oxygen molecule, allowing water to bond to other water molecules.

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5
Q

What is adhesion?

A

When water sticks to another surface

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6
Q

What is cohesion?

A

When water molecules stick to other water molecules.

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7
Q

What does water’s high specific heat capacity mean?

A

It means it maintains a much more stable temperature, making it more stable for the environment, enzymes and body temperature.

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8
Q

What does water being a metabolite mean?

A

It is used in hydrolysis and condensation reactions to break apart or join together molecules.

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9
Q

Why is water’s solvent properties useful?

A

It’s ability to dissolve many molecules makes it a good transport medium for chemicals and ions.

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10
Q

What are non-polar substances?

A

Hydrophobic substances

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11
Q

What are polar substances?

A

Hydrophilic substances.

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12
Q

What does ATP stand for?

A

Adenosine triphosphate

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13
Q

What are the components of ATP?

A

An adenine molecule, a ribose sugar, and a triphosphate, made up of three phosphate ions.

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14
Q

What is produced in the hydrolysis of ATP?

A

ADP + P ion

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15
Q

What does ADP stand for?

A

Adenosine diphosphate

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16
Q

What enzyme is used in the hydrolysis of ATP?

A

ATP hydrolase

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17
Q

What enzyme is used in the condensation of ADP

A

ATP synthase

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18
Q

Give examples of inorganic ions

A

Sodium, calcium, potassium, ammonium, iron, hydrogen, hydrogen carbonate, chloride, nitrate, phosphate, hydroxide.

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19
Q

What is the use of the inorganic ion calcium?

A

Is a component of teeth and bone (as calcium phosphate) but is also involved in muscle contraction, nerve signalling, and blood clotting.

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20
Q

What is the use of the inorganic ion sodium?

A

As a caption it is involved in the transmission of nerve impulses and electrolyte balance.

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21
Q

What is the use of the inorganic ion iron?

A

It is an important component in haemoglobin, but also involved in redox reactions and electron transport.

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22
Q

What is the use of the inorganic ion nitrate?

A

It is the main source of nitrogen for plants, which is needed for protein, amino acids, and nucleotides.

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23
Q

What is the use of the inorganic ion phosphate?

A

It is needed for phospholipids, nucleotides, ATP, and binds with calcium for teeth and bones.

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24
Q

Give examples of monosaccharides

A

Glucose, galactose, and fructose

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25
Q

What is the chemical formula for sugars (isomers of glucose)

A

C6H12O6

26
Q

What are the disaccharides (we must know) and how are they formed ?

A

Glucose + Glucose -> Maltose
Glucose + Fructose -> Sucrose
Glucose + Galactose -> Lactose

27
Q

What are sugars with 6 carbon atoms called?

A

Hexose sugars

28
Q

Why is glucose soluble in water?

A

It has lots of hydroxyl groups (OH) which allows it to form hydrogen bonds with water molecules

29
Q

What distinguishes alpha and beta glucose?

A

The position of the hydroxyl (OH) group attached to carbon 1 in terms of the plane of the ring. Alpha has both OH groups below the plane, whereas Beta has the right OH above and left below

30
Q

What is alpha glucose?

A

Glucose with the hydroxyl group below the plane of the ring

31
Q

What is beta glucose?

A

Glucose with the hydroxyl group above the plane of the ring

32
Q

What type of reaction forms a disaccharide?

A

Condensation reaction

33
Q

What is formed when monosaccharides react together?

A

Disaccharide + water

34
Q

What is the new bond between two alpha glucoses called?

A

A 1,4-glycosidic bond

35
Q

What are the two molecules in starch?

A

Amylose and amylopectin

36
Q

What is amylose a polymer of?

A

Alpha glucose molecules

37
Q

What is amylose’s structure like?

A

A helix structure, with hydrogen bonds forming between each glucose monomer

38
Q

What is starch?

A

A store of glucose

39
Q

How is starch broken down?

A

In hydrolysis reactions, using water

40
Q

How does amylopectin differ from amylose?

A

It is similar, except for every 25-30 glucose molecules a branch is formed

41
Q

How are the branches in amylopectin joined to the main chain?

A

Through 1,6 glycosidic bonds

42
Q

How is the structure of starch related to its function ?

A

Amylose’s tight structure allows it to be effective at storage
Because of the branches in amylopectin, it can be broken down quicker (as enzymes start at the end of a branch) when glucose is needed

43
Q

Where are the stores of glycogen found in animals?

A

Mostly in the liver and muscle cells

44
Q

How is glycogen similar to amylopectin and how does it differ?

A

It has a similar structure (branches of alpha glucose bonded to a main chain), but it has an even larger number of branches formed

45
Q

How is the structure of glycogen related to its function?

A

It has lots of free ends, allowing it to be broken down very fast, to match the rapid changes in rates of respiration in animals

46
Q

What is the structure of cellulose?

A

Lots of single chains with no branches stacked on top of each other, bonded by hydrogen bonds.

47
Q

What is cellulose made up of?

A

Beta glucose molecules

48
Q

What makes starch useful for storage in cells?

A

It is insoluble in water, meaning it does affect water potential and water doesn’t enter the cell through osmosis, preventing damage.

49
Q

What are the types of lipids we must know?

A

Triglycerides and phospholipids

50
Q

What are the main components of triglycerides?

A

A glycerol molecule and three fatty acid tails attached

51
Q

How do the fatty acids attach to the glycerol?

A

Through condensation reactions, forming an Ester bond.

52
Q

Are fatty acids hydrophilic or hydrophobic?

A

Hydrophobic

53
Q

Describe what makes up a phospholipid

A

A phosphate group, with a glycerol attached, with 2 fatty acids attached to the glycerol.

54
Q

Are phosphate groups hydrophobic or hydrophilic?

A

Hydrophilic

55
Q

What is a saturated fatty acid?

A

A fatty acid with no double bonds

56
Q

What is an unsaturated fatty acid?

A

A fatty acid with one or more double bonds

57
Q

Describe the biochemical emulsion test

A

The emulsion test tests for lipids, done by mixing the food solution with ethanol, then pouring the mixture into water. If lipids are present, the mixture will sit at the top/emulsion will form at the top, with more fatty a solution forming a more milky emulsion.

58
Q

Describe the biochemical Benedicts test done for reducing sugars

A

Done by mixing benedicts solution and the solution you test, and applying heat (over 60°C). A negative result is no colour change from blue, and a positive is any colour change, to red, orange, green, or yellow.

59
Q

Describe the biochemical iodine test

A

Potassium iodide solution is used to stain the solution/food, with a positive result being a colour change from orange/brown to blue/black, and a negative result being no colour change.

60
Q

Describe the biochemical benedicts test done for non reducing sugars

A

Done by applying heat (over 60°C) and acid (HCl), neutralising the solution with Na2CO3, then carrying out the Benedicts test. A negative result is no colour change from blue, and a positive is any colour change, to red, orange, green, or yellow.

biology a level (23 decks)

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