Biomolecules Flashcards
Get an understanding for everything related to Carbs, Proteins, Lipids, and Nucleic Acids!
How many bonds can Carbon form?
4, because it has 4 valence electrons
How do you count carbon in rings?
You always start from the top-right carbon
What is an Empirical formula?
A formula that shows the atoms and atom count in a molecule
What is a Structural formula?
A formula that shows atom arrangement
What are isomers?
Compounds with same empirical formula, different structural formula and different properties
What is a monomer?
The building block molecule, which makes up polymers, which make up macromolecules
monomer + monomer →
polymer
polymer + polymer →
macromolecule
What is Dehydration Synthesis?
A reaction where you make a polymer plus water
What is Hydrolysis?
A reaction where you break a polymer, using water
What are the 4 macromolecules of life?
Carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids
Do carbohydrates have ratios? If so, what is it?
Yes; 1-2-1 ratio of C,H,O
Name the monomer for carbohydrates
Monosaccharide
How much energy does a gram of carbohydrate make?
4kcal/gram
What is the job of a carbohydrate?
To store and transport energy
What are the three types of carbohydrates?
Monosaccharides, disaccharides, and polysaccharides
What is a monosaccharide? Name 3 common ones
It is a simple sugar! Ex: Glucose, Galactose, and Fructose
What is a disaccharide? Name a common one
Di = 2, so a disaccharide is a double sugar; Sucrose
What is a polysaccharide?
It is a group of monosaccharides, that help with energy storage and are support molecules
Name 4 examples of polysaccharides, and what they do
Plant starch → Plant Energy Storage
Glycogen → Animal Energy Storage
Cellulose → Plant structural material; inedible
Chitin → Exoskeleton component in animals
Do lipids have a ratio? If so, what is it?
Not really; lipids have fewer oxygen atoms than carbon atoms
What are the monomer(s) for lipids?
Fatty acids and a glycerol (C3H8O3)
Are lipids polar?
No, they are non-polar
What is a triglyceride?
3 fatty acid tails attached to a glycerol
What are the two groups of lipids?
Triglycerides and non-triglycerides
Triglycerides can be…
fats and oils
The two types of triglycerides are:
Saturated and Unsaturated Lipids
Saturated lipids have:
Single C-C bonds; solid at room temp
Unsaturated lipids have:
Double C=C bonds; liquid at room temperature
Non-triglycerides include:
Steroids, Hormones, Cholesterol, and Phospholipids
What is a phospholipid made up of?
A phosphate, and two fatty acids
What is a steroid made up of?
A ring structure of hydrocarbons (no fatty acids)
How much energy do triglycerides give?
9 kcal/gram
What jobs do triglycerides have?
Insulation and waterproofing
What do phospholipids make?
Make up cell membrane
Cholesterol job?
Makes vitamins, also found in blood and nerve cells
Steroid hormone job?
Acts as chemical messenger
Monomer for Protein?
Amino Acid
What elements make up Proteins?
CHONS
What bond is in a Protein?
Peptide bond
What makes up a protein?
Carboxyl Group, Amino Group, R Group, and Single Hydrogen (CARS)
What is Denaturation?
When shape changes due to temperature
Primary Organization?
Sequence of Amino Acids
Secondary Organization?
Helix or Pleated (aka are they folded or twisted) ; hydrogen bonds
Tertiary Organization?
Fold for 3D shape ; disulfide bonds
Quaternary Organization?
Clumps of Tertiary
What are the 4 functions of Protein?
Transport, Regulation, Protection, and Structure (TRPS)
Nucleic Acid Monomer? Elements?
Nucleotide ; CHONP
2 types of Nucleic Acid?
DNA and RNA
DNA job?
Contains information to build protein, commander acid
RNA job?
Protein synthesis moderator
