Biological Molecules Flashcards
Monomers
The smaller units from which larger molecules are made
Polymers
Molecules made form a large number of monomers joined together by chemical bonds
Condensation reaction
The chemical that joins two molecules together with a chemical bond, resulting in the elimination of a water molecule
Hydrolysis reaction
A reaction which breaks a chemical bond between two molecules and involves the use of one water molecule
Metabolite
A chemical involved a metabolic reaction e.g.) water involved in hydrolysis and condensation
Monosaccharides
Monomers from which larger carbohydrates are made, simple sugars
Glucose
A hexose sugar- a 6 carbon Monosaccharide. There are two forms alpha and beta glucose. They are Isomers because they have the same molecular formula but are connected in different ways.
Carbohydrates
Biological molecules containing C,H and O only
Disaccharide
A sugar formed when two monosaccharides join together during a condensation reaction, forming a glycosidic bond
Maltose
Alpha Glucose + Alpha Glucose
Disaccharide
Sucrose
Glucose + Fructose
Disaccharide
Lactose
Glucose + Galactose
Disaccharide
Polysaccharides
Formed by the condensation of many glucose units
Glycogen
Storage for energy animal cells Highly branched - compact lots of ends - quick to hydrolyse insoluble - no osmosis Too big to leave the cell
Starch
Storage molecule for energy plant cells
Highly folded and branched - compact, slower to hydrolyse than glycogen
insoluble - no osmosis,
too big to leave a cell
Amylose
Makes up Starch
Alpha 1,4 glycosidic bonds between alpha Glucose
Coiled helix shape held by hydrogen bonds
Amylopectin
Makes up Starch
Alpha 1,4 glycosidic and beta 1,6 glycosidic bonds between alpha Glucose
Highly branched structure
Cellulose
Beta glucose monomers joined by alpha 1,4 glycosidic bonds
No branches, very straight chains
Held together into microfibrils by hydrogen bonds
Cellulose
Structural support for plant cells
Insoluble but permeable to water and solutes
Hydrogen bonds between chains provides strength
Test for reducing sugar
Dissolved sample
Benedicts Solution
Heat in hot water bath
5 min
Test for Non-reducing sugar
Dissolved sample Hydrochloric acid, hot water bath 2min Sodium chloride till stops fizzing Benedicts Solution Heat in hot water bath 5 min
Benedicts test
Qualitative test
Blue - negative
Green - yellow - orange - red more sugar
Iodine test
No starch - negative
Orange/brown
Starch - positive
Blue black precipitate
Universal solvent
Water is able dissolve many substances
Creates a solution for metabolic reactions to take place
Adhesion
Hydrogen bonds between water and other surfaces
Helps water moves up xylem in plants by attracting water to the walls
Cohesion
Hydrogen bonds between water molecules supports columns of water in xylem vessels
How water moves up xylem in plants during transpiration
Large heat capacity
Takes a lot of energy to change temperature
Creates a stable environment inside cells and in aquatic habitats
Large latent heat of vaporisation
Takes a lot of energy to turn from a liquid to a gas because energy is needed break the hydrogen bonds between molecules
Water is Less dense as a solid
When an aquatic environment freezes, ice floats on top preserving the aquatic habit underneath
ATP
Adenosine Tri-Phosphate
ATP structure
Nucleotide derivative:
Ribose sugar
Adenine
3 phosphate groups
ATP hydrolase
Enzyme that hydrolyses ATP
ATP -> ADP + Pi
ATP synthase
Enzyme that forms ATP by condensation reaction
ADP + Pi -> ATP
ATP hydrolysis uses
Provides Energy to chemical reactions in cells
Pi generated can phosphorylate other compounds making them more reactive
ATP synthesis
Happens during:
Photosynthesis light energy used
Respiration chemical energy stored in glucose used
Inorganic ions
A charged atom or molecule that doesn’t contain carbon
Iron
In Haemoglobin
Large protein that holds 4 Fe2+ ions
Each ion can bind to 2 O atoms
Allows large concentration of oxygen can be carried in the blood
Hydrogen ions
Concentration affects the pH of solution
Low conc = alkaline solution
High conc = acidic solution
Affects enzyme controlled reactions by changing the shape of the enzyme
Sodium ions
Used by co-transporters (protein pumps) to move glucose and amino acids across membranes by active transport
Phosphate ion
When attached to another molecule = phosphate group
Allows Nucleotides to bind forming polynucleotides
Bonds between phosphate groups in ATP store energy
