Biologically Important Molecules Flashcards
ALL LECTURES
What are the 4 molecules of life?
- carbohydrates
- lipids
- proteins
- nucleic acids
What are the most prevalent naturally occurring elements in the human body?
- oxygen
- carbon
- hydrogen
- nitrogen
What is the name of the most important carbohydrates in biochemistry?
saccharides
What is the ratio of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen in organic molecules?
generally 1:2:1
What are the key roles of carbohydrates?
- energy source
- energy storage
- structural support
- cell recognition/signalling
- present in ribose/deoxyribose sugars
What are carbohydrates built from?
monosaccharides
What variation in monosaccharides can be present?
- variation in number of carbons
- variation in position of carbonyl group
- variation in orientation of carbons
Why does glucose predominantly exist in acyclic form (rings)?
linear structure is less stable
When does glucose become acyclic?
when it is introduced to an aqueous solution
Define disaccharide.
2 monosaccharides joined together
What are some examples of disaccharides?
- sucrose (glucose + fructose)
- lactose (glucose + galactose)
- maltose (glucose + glucose)
What reaction occurs when a disaccharide is formed?
condensation reaction (water produced)
What bond joins disaccharides together?
glycosidic bond
What is the benefit of having a highly branched polysaccharide?
branching increases the solubility of the molecule, providing multiple terminal ends for enzymatic action
Define heteropolysaccharide
carbohydrate composed of 2 or more different types of monosaccharide
