Biological Molecules Flashcards
What is the general formula of carbohydrates?
(CH2O)n
Name some small molecules (roughly 30 carbon atoms w 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 monosaccharides 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
Beta- OH group on opposite sides of the carbon ( on c1 and c4)
Alpha - OH groups on the same side of c1 and c4
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)
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
Very compact and branches for 1-6 glycosidic bonds
What is an Oligosaccharide
Contains many different monosaccharides
E.g red blood cells
Give an example of Oligosaccharides
Blood groups - differences in monosaccharides =
difference in structure =
difference in space and
difference in antibodies needed
Describe the structure of an amino acid
Amine groups , R group and a carboxylic acid groups all around a central carbon atom
What happens when 2 amino acids bond
Peptide and released 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 = 3D structure
Quaternary = 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
In RNA = phosphate, ribose sugar and base
In DNA = phosphate, deoxyribose sugar and base
Deoxyribose sugar has one fewer oxygen atom than ribose sugar
What holds nucleotides together?
Phosphodiester bonds between the CH2 on the phosphate group of one nucleotide and the fourth carbon atom of the pentose sugar in the next nucleotide
Sugar phosphate backbone
How many bonds between opposite bases
Three hydrogen bonds between guanine and cytosine
Two hydrogen bonds between adenine and thymine (or uracil)
Where is the oxygen lost from in the deoxyribose
The 2nd carbon
AMP
What does it stand for and what does it do?
Adenosine Monophosphate
One of the components of RNA & organic component of ATP
In certain vital metabolic processes - AMP combines w inorganic phosphate to form ADP then ATP
Meaning of saturated, unsaturated cis and trans as relating to lipids
Saturated fatty acids = no double bonds ( in middle)
Unsaturated - trans = double bond & 2 H atoms next to double bond = on opposite sides
Unsaturated - cis = double bond & 2 H atoms next to double bond = on same side
Describe the structure of a triglyceride
1 Glycerol bound to 3 fatty acid molecules by Ester bonds
Describe the structure and function of a phospholipid
Consist of hydrophilic head and hydrophobic tail
Line up and arrange themselves in two parallel layers ( bilayer)
Selectively permeable (semi permeable), separates inside of cell from surroundings, can be broken down and used for energy , provide structure
