Biological Molecules definitions Flashcards
adhesion
A property of water molecules that creates an attraction between them
and surfaces that they are in contact with
Amino acid
The monomers containing an amino group (NH2), a carboxyl group (COOH) and a variable R group that make up proteins.
Amino acid
The monomers containing an amino group (NH2), a carboxyl group (COOH) and a variable R group that make up proteins.
amylopectin
A branched polysaccharide made up of alpha glucose monomers joined by
α-1,6 glycosidic bonds that makes up starch along with amylose.
amylose
An unbranched polysaccharide made up of alpha glucose monomers joined by
α-1,4 glycosidic bonds that makes up starch along with amylopectin.
benedicts test
A biochemical test used to detect the presence of a reducing sugar in a
solution and distinguish between solutions of different reducing sugar concentrations.
biuret test
A biochemical test that produces a purple colour when it is added to a solution
containing protein.
cellulose
A linear polysaccharide that is the main component of the cell wall in plants and is
made up of many beta glucose molecules joined by β-1,4 glycosidic bonds.
cohesion
A property of water molecules that creates an attraction between them
which causes them to stick together.
collagen
A type of fibrous protein that provides strength to many different cell types and
makes up connective tissues
condensation reaction
A type of reaction that joins two molecules together with the formation of a chemical bond involving the elimination of a molecule of water.
conjugated protein
A protein with a prosthetic group bound to it
elastin
A type of fibrous protein that allows tissues and structures like blood vessels to
stretch and return to their original shape.
elastin
A type of fibrous protein that allows tissues and structures like blood vessels to
stretch and return to their original shape.
fibrous protein
A class of long chain proteins that are generally insoluble in water and
typically have structural roles.
globular protein
A class of spherical shaped proteins that are generally water soluble and typically have metabolic roles.
glucose
A hexose monosaccharide that is the main respiratory substrate in eukaryotes.