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)