Biological molecules recall questions Flashcards
What elements are common to all the molecules of life?
C, O, H
What are the four main groups of carbon-based molecules common to all life forms?
Carbohydrates, Lipids, Proteins and Nucleic acids.
What molecule forms part of the plasma membrane?
Phospholipids.
Which biological molecules are required to make proteins?
Amino acids (and nucleic acids).
Which two biological molecules are the main respiratory substrates?
Lipids and carbohydrates.
What is a polymer?
A series of repeating units (monomers) joined together.
Which reaction joins two monomers together?
Condensation reaction.
What reaction breaks down polymers?
Hydrolysis.
What type of chemical bond is formed between monomers?
Covalent bond.
Why is it known as a condensation reaction?
A molecule of water is produced/released.
Describe the process of hydrolysis.
A water molecule is used to break a covalent bond. An H and an OH group are joined to the monomers.
What type of polymer is made from monosaccharides and what bond joins them together?
A Polysaccharide - Glycosidic bonds
What type of polymer is made from amino acids and what bond joins them together?
A polypeptide - peptide bonds.
What type of polymer is made from nucleotides and what bonds them together?
A polynucleotide - phosphodiester bonds
What type of reaction joins monosaccharides together?
Condensation.
What is a dissacharide? What type of bond is involved?
Two monosaccharides joined together by a glycosidic bond.
What type of reaction breaks down maltose?
Hydrolysis.
What disaccharide is made by joining glucose and glucose?
Maltose
What are the two monosaccharides that join up to make sucrose?
Fructose and glucose.
What disaccharide is made by joining glucose and galactose?
Lactose
What are the 3 types of polysaccharides that α-glucose can form?
- Amylose
- Amylopectin
- Glycogen
What type of reaction breaks polysaccharides apart?
Hydrolysis
Describe the structure of glycogen
Polymer of alpha glucose - highly branched
State the two structures that make up starch.
Amylose + Amylopectin
Describe the structure and properties of starch
A mixture of two polysaccharides of alpha glucose. Amylose is a lomg branched chain of a glucose. The angles of the glycosidic bonds give it a coiled structure which makes it compact so good for storage. Amylopectin is a long branched chain of a glucose. Its side branches allow enzymes to get at the glycosidic bonds easily so glucose can be released quickly. It is insoluble in water.
What’s the differences and similarities between starch and glycogen?
Glycogen is always branched, starch isn’t. Starch found in plants, glycogen in animals. Both are energy stores, both made of alpha glucose.
Why are different enzymes needed to digest starch and glucose?
Different shape molecule requires a different enzyme as they have different active site shapes. Cellulose is made of β-glucose and starch of α-glucose. 1,6-glycosidic bonds are only in starch. Starch is made of amylose and amylopectin, celleulose is linear and starch is branched.
Based on the arrangement of cellulose molecules, explain why cell walls provide strength and support to plant cells.
- Cellulose molecules form hydrogen bonds with eachother to make microfibrils.
- Fibres are tough and flexible.
1,6-glycosidic bonds are found in ………………
Amylopectin/Glycogen
β-glucose can only be found in……………
Cellulose
Describe the structure of amylopectin, including the bonds involved and the shape.
Amylopectin is a long branched chain of α-glucose. Its side branches, 1,4 and 1,6 glycosidic bonds, branched.
State 4 roles of lipids
- Source of energy
- Waterproofing
- Insulation
- Protection
What does a triglyceride consist of? Which type of bonds hold it together?
Glycerol and 3 fatty acids - ester bonds.
How is a phospholipid different to a triglyceride? And how are they similar?
Only 2 fatty acids (Triglyceride has three). Phosphate head (triglyceride has no phosphate). Both have fatty acids.
How many water molecule(s) is/are needed when breaking down a triglyceride?
3
What is the term for the reaction that makes lipids?
Condensation
What does a triglyceride consist of? Which type of bonds hold it together?
Glycerol and 3 fatty acids - ester bonds.
How is a phospholipid different to a triglyceride? And how are they similar?
Only 2 fatty acids (triglyceride has three). Phosphate head (triglyceride has no phosphate). Both have fatty acids.
Describe how phospholipid can form a bilayer arrangement.
- Hydrophilic heads point outwards.
- Hydrophobic tails point inwards (shielded from aqueous environment).
State the monomer of a protein.
amino acids
What are the components that make up an amino acid?
Central carbon + H atom + Amine group + Carboxyl group
Which part of the amino acid is variable? And how many different types are there?
R group - 20.
Name the bond formed between two amino acids.
Peptide bond.
What is the primary structure of a protein?
Amino acid sequence.
What is the secondary structure of a protein?
alpha-helix + beta-pleated sheets
What is the tertiary structure of a protein?
Folding into a 3D shape.
What is the quaternary structure of a protein?
Binding with other subunits.