Biological Molecules - Condensation / Hydrolysis

Question 1

Why are carbohydrates important ?

Answer 1

For energy and structure

Question 2

What is the structural difference between alpha and beta glucose?

Answer 2

Alpha
Below
Beta
Above
Meaning - In an alpha glucose the hydroxyl group is below whereas in a beta glucose, the hydroxyl group is above.

Question 3

What are some examples of condensation?

Answer 3

• Triglycerides out of glycerol and three fatty acid chains
• Proteins made from amino acids
• DNA and RNA by helping to form the sugar-phosphate backbone

Question 4

What is condensation?

Answer 4

Condensation is a chemical process by which 2 molecules are joined together to make a larger, more complex, molecule, with the loss of water.
It occurs (almost always) between two facing hydroxyl groups (OH)

Question 5

What is a monosaccharide and which examples do you need to know?

Answer 5

The monomers that makeup carbohydrates are called monosaccharides.
Examples such as glucose, fructose, galactose, and ribose

Question 6

Describe what a hydrolysis reaction

Answer 6

Hydrolysis is the opposite of condensation. A large molecule is split into smaller sections by breaking a bond using a molecule of water, adding hydrogen to one section and a hydroxyl group to the other.

Question 7

Define the terms monomer and polymer with an example

Answer 7

Monomers- small, basic molecular units e.g. amino acid
Polymers- large, complex molecules composed of long chains of monomers joined together. (proteins)

Question 8

What is a macromolecule ?

Answer 8

Complex with a relatively large molecular mass, triglycerides.

Question 9

Draw a Diagram of Alpha/Beta glucose (state difference)

Answer 9

did you do it correct ?
DONT LIE

Question 10

Describe the role of Cations in the human body

Answer 10

• Calcium ions (Ca2+) - nerve impulse transmission,muscle contraction
• Sodium ions (Na+) - nerve impulse transmission/kidney function
• Pottasium ions (K+) - nerve impulse transmission,stomatal opening
• Hydrogen (H+) -Catalysis of recation,PH determination
• Ammonium (NH4+) -Production of nitrate ions by bacteria

Question 11

Describe the role of anions in the human body

Answer 11

• Nitrate - nitrogen supply for plants for amino acids/protein formation
• Hydrogen carbonate- maintenance of blood PH
• Chloride - Balance positive change of soduim potassium ions in cells
• Phosphate - Cell membrane formation, nucleic acid, ATP formation, Bone formation
• Hydroxide ions - Catalysis of reaction,PH determination.

Question 12

What is a disaccharide ?

Answer 12

It is formed by a condensation reaction of two carbohydrate molecules .

Question 13

Examples of disacchrides

Answer 13

Examples of Disaccharides include:

* Maltose - formed by two alpha glucose molecules

* Lactose - glucose + galactose

*Sucrose ( table sugar) - glucose + fructose

Question 14

Draw Maltose label the bond

Answer 14

did you do it correct ?
DONT LIE

Question 15

Describe the structure of starch and how it relates to its function?

Answer 15

Starch stores energy in plants and it is a mixture of two polysaccharides called amylose and
amylopectin:
* Amylose – amylose is an unbranched chain of glucose molecules joined by 1, 4 glycosidic bonds, as a result of that amylose is coiled and thus it is a very compact molecule meaning it can store a lot of energy
* Amylopectin is branched and is made up of glucose molecules joined by 1, 4 and 1,6 glycosidic bonds, due to the presence of many side branches it is rapidly digested by enzymes therefore energy is released quickly

Question 16

Describe the structure of cellulose and how it relates to its function?

Answer 16

Cellulose is a component of cells wells in plants and it’s composed of long, unbranched chains of beta glucose which are joined by glycosidic bonds. Microfibrils are strong threads which are made of long cellulose chains joined together by hydrogen bonds and they provide structural support in plants cells.

Question 17

Describe the structure of glycogen and how it relates to its function?

Answer 17

Glycogen is the main energy storage molecule in animals and it’s formed from many molecules of alpha glucose joined together by 1, 4 and 1, 6 glycosidic bonds. It has a large number of side branches meaning that glucose & therefore energy, can be released quickly.
Moreover, it is a relatively large but compact molecule thus maximising the amount of energy it can store.

Question 18

What is a polysaccharide ?

Answer 18

Polysaccharides are formed from many glucose units joined together and include:
* Glycogen and starch which are both formed by the condensation of alpha glucose
* Cellulose formed by the condensation of beta glucose