biological molecules P1 Flashcards
define monomer. give some examples
smaller units that join together to form larger molecules
monosaccharides (glucose, fructose, lactose)
amino acids
nucleotides
define polymer. give some examples.
molecules formed when many monomers join together.
polysaccharides
proteins
DNA/RNA
what happens in a condensation reaction?
a chemical bond forms between 2 molecules and a molecule of water is produced
what happens in a hydrolysis reaction?
a water molecule is used to break a chemical bond between 2 molecules.
name 3 hexose monosaccharides
glucose
fructose
galactose
name the type of bond when monosaccharides react
glycosidic
name 3 disaccharides. describe how they form.
maltose: glucose and glucose
sucrose: glucose and fructose
lactose: glucose and galactose
describe and explain 2 features of starch that make it a good storage molecule
insoluble in water, so doesn’t affect water potential
branched, so makes molecule compact
large molecule so cannot leave cell
describe how the structure of glycogen is related to its function [4]
- coiled, so compact
- branched, so more ends for faster hydrolysis
- insoluble, so doesn’t effect water potential
- polymer of glucose so is easily hydrolysed
suggest how glycogen acts as a source of energy
hydrolysed to glucose and glucose is used in respiration
explain how cellulose molecules are adapted for their function in plant cells
long and straight chains
become linked together by many hydrogen bonds to form microfibrils
provides strength to cell wall
describe how a triglyceride molecule is formed
one glycerol and 3 fatty acids
condensation reactions and the removal of 3 molecules of water
ester bonds are formed
describe how ester bonds are formed in a phospholipid molecule
condensation reaction between glycerol and fatty acid
describe a biochemical test to show that a solution contains a non-reducing sugar
heat with HCl and neutralise
heat with benedict’s solution.
positive result - red precipitate
describe how you would test for the presence of a lipid in a liquid sample of food
add ethanol and shake, then pour into water
milky emulsion
describe the benedict’s test for reducing sugars
add benedict’s reagent to sample, heat
positive result: blue —> brick red
describe the test for starch
add iodine solution
pos: orange -blue/black
contrast saturated and unsaturated fatty acids
saturated contain only single bonds, unsaturated contain C=C double bonds
saturated - straight chain, unsaturated- kinked molecules
relate the structure of triglycerides to their function
describe the structure and function of phospholipids
how can you compare the amount of reducing sugar in different solutions?
the higher the concentration of reducing sugar the further the colour change goes.
or
filter solution and weigh the precipitate
what are isomers?
molecules with the same molecular formula, but the atoms are connected in a different way
what a polysaccharide?
more than 2 monosaccharides joined together by condensation reactions
describe the structure of amylose
long unbranded chain of a-glucose
coiled structure which makes it compact so good for storage
describe the structure of amylopectin
long branched chain of a-glucose
side branches allow enzymes that break down the molecule to get to the glycosidic bonds easily so glucose is released quickly
describe the test for starch
add iodine dissolved in potassium iodide solution
orange —>blue/black
describe the structure of a fatty acid
long hydrocarbon tails which are hydrophobic and so insoluble in water
relate the structure of triglycerides to their function
high energy: mass ratio (lots of energy can be stored without restricting the movement of animals)
insoluble hydrocarbon chain - can store lots of energy with no effect on water potential.
describe how a phospholipid is formed
one glycerol, 2 fatty acids and a phosphate group combine creating ester bonds in a condensation reaction
relate the structure of phospholipids to their function
forms a bilayer (hydrophilic head, hydrophobic tail)
membrane acts as a barrier to water soluble substances
describe how amino acids form so there’s always NH2 at one and and COOH at the other
one NH2 group joins to a COOH group to form a peptide bond, this means that there’s a free NH2 group at one end and a free COOH at the other on the polypeptide chain
describe 2 ways in which all dipeptides are similar and one way they might differ
all consist of 2 amino acids joined by a peptide bond
all have an amine/ NH2 group at one end
all have carboxyl/COOH group at one end
all contain C,H,N and O