Biomolecules Flashcards
What is biochemistry?
The study of chemical composition and reactions of living matter.
Complete the sentence:
All chemicals are either _______ or ___________, which are both equally ________ for life.
All chemicals are either organic or inorganic, which are both equally essential for life.
Inorganic compounds include:
- Water, salts, and many acids and bases
- Do not contain carbon
Organic compounds include:
- Carbohydrates, fats, proteins, and nucleic acids
- Contain carbon, are usually large, and are covalently bonded
What are the properties of water?
- Most abundant compound; accounts for 60%–80% of the volume of living cells – High heat capacity – High heat of vaporization – Polar solvent properties – Reactivity – Cushioning
What are the properties of salts?
- Ionic compounds that dissociate into separate ions in water
– Separate into cations (positively charged molecules) and anions (negatively charged)
– All ions are called electrolytes because they can conduct electrical currents in solution
– Ions play specialized roles in body functions • Example: sodium, potassium, calcium, and iron
What are common salts in the body?
- NaCl, CaCO3, KCl, calcium phosphates
Complete the sentences:
- Ionic balance is _______ for homeostasis.
- _______ play a big role in maintaining proper balance of _________.
- If electrolyte balance is disrupted, virtually all organ systems ______ to function.
- Ionic balance is vital for homeostasis.
- Kidneys play a big role in maintaining proper balance of electrolytes.
- If electrolyte balance is disrupted, virtually all organ systems cease to function.
What are the properties of acids?
- Is an electrolyte
- Ionize and dissociate in water
- Are proton donors: release hydrogen ions (H+), bare protons (have no electrons) in solution
What are the properties of bases?
- Is an electrolyte
- Ionize and dissociate in water
- Are proton acceptors: they pick up hydrogen ions (H+) in solution
Identify which are important Acids and Bases from the list below:
- HCl (hydrochloric acid)
- Bicarbonate ion (HCO3–)
- HC2H3O2 (acetic acid, abbreviated HAc)
- Ammonia (NH3)
- H2CO3 (carbonic acid)
Acids: HCl (hydrochloric acid), HC2H3O2 (acetic acid, abbreviated HAc), and H2CO3 (carbonic acid).
Bases: Bicarbonate ion (HCO3–) and ammonia (NH3).
Complete the sentence:
Carbohydrates include ______ and ________.
Carbohydrates include sugars and starches.
What are the three classes of carbohydrates (how are they distinguished)?
– Monosaccharides: one single sugar (Monomers: smallest unit of carbohydrate)
– Disaccharides: two sugars
– Polysaccharides: many sugars (Polymers are made up of monomers of monosaccharides)
True or False: Lipids are soluble in water?
False: Lipids are insoluble in water.
What are the main types of lipids?
– Triglycerides or neutral fats
– Phospholipids
– Steroids
– Eicosanoids
Complete the sentence:
Proteins comprise __-__% of cell mass.
Proteins comprise 20-30% of cell mass.
Carbohydrates are comprised of…
(Select one answer)
- C (Carbon)
- H (Hydrogen)
- O (Oxygen)
- All of the above
- All of the above
Lipids are comprised of which 3 elements plus the exception of another (sometimes)?
- C (Carbon)
- H (Hydrogen)
- O (Oxygen)
- Sometimes P (Phosphorus)
Proteins are comprised of:
- C (Carbon)
- H (Hydrogen)
- O (Oxygen)
- Sometimes S (Sulfur)
- Sometimes P (Phosphorus)
What element is missing that makes up Protein?
- N (Nitrogen)
What are amino acids?
Amino acids are molecules that combine to form proteins.
Amino acids are sometimes referred to as what?
‘The building blocks of life’.
All proteins are made from how many types of amino acids?
(Select one answer)
- 10
- 20
- 30
- 50
- 20
Protein is joined by covalent bonds called what?
Peptide bonds.
Fill in the blanks:
There are four levels of protein structure determine shape and function:
- Primary
- _________
- Tertiary
- _________
- Secondary
4. Quarternary
