Biomolecules Flashcards
Biological washing powders often contain a number of different enzymes. This enables them to remove a wider range of stains from clothes. Explain why a number of enzymes are requires to remove a wider range of stains
(General enzyme question layout)
Stains caused by different substances
Enzymes are specific
Active site specific to substrate/ other substances cannot fit active site
Different sequences of bases code for different proteins explain how
Protein made of chain of amino acids
Each amino acid has its own base/ triplet code
Monosaccharides
(CH2O)n
Soluble
reducing sugars
All monosaccharides and some disaccharides (maltose)
Can donate electrons to another chemical (reduces that chemical)
Test for reducing sugars
Add Benedict’s reagent to sample
Heat in water bath that’s being brought to the boil
+ will form coloured precipitate (red copper 1 oxide)
Benedict’s solution
Alkaline solution of copper (ll) sulfate
Reduced by reducing sugars to produce copper (l) oxide (red)
Semi quantitative use of Benedict’s test
Estimate the approximate amount of reducing sugar in sample as colour of precipitate depends on concentrations of sugar
More accurate method for Benedict’s test
Filter the solution and weigh the precipitate
Test for non reducing sugars
New sample, add dilute HCl (breaks down into monosaccharides by hydrolysis) and heat in water bath brought to boil
Add sodium hydrogencarbonate to neutralise it (Benedict’s reagent doesn’t work in acidic conditions) test with pH paper to check solution is alkaline
Add Benedict’s solution and heat in water bath brought to boil
+ coloured precipitate
Alpha glucose
OH at bottom
Solubility of polysaccharides
Insoluble
Starch
Plant cells
Small granules/ grains
(Long)Chains may be branched or unbranched, the unbranched chain (amylose) is wound into a tight coil to make the molecule compact. Branched chain (amylopectin) has many ends which can be acted in by enzymes simultaneously so glucose monomers are released rapidly and can be easily transported and readily used.
Insoluble so doesn’t affect water potential
Large and insoluble do doesn’t diffuse out of cells
Compact, lots stored in small space
Test for starch
Add iodine in potassium iodide solution to sample
+ blue black
Glycogen
Animals and bacteria
Shorter chains than starch and more branched
Stored as small granules mainly in the muscle and liver
Insoluble so doesn’t affect water potential and doesn’t diffuse out of cells
Compact
Highly branched (higher metabolic rate than plants)
Cellulose
Straight unbranched long chain
Run parallel to each other, allowing hydrogen bonds to form cross linkages between adjacent chains (collective strength)
Cellulose molecules grouped together to form microfibrils, then fibres
Provides rigidity
Turgid- exerts an inward pressure that stops any further influx of water. Also provides maximum surface area for photosynthesis
Lipids
CHO
Insoluble in water
Soluble in organic solvents
Energy source when oxidised
Waterproofing (waxy lipid cuticles on plants and insects and mammals produce oily secretions from glands in skin)
Insulation (slow conductors of heat so retain heat, electrical insulators)
Protection (stored around delicate organs like kidneys)
Fatty acid
Glycerol
RCOOH
CH2OH
Triglycerides
High ratio of energy storing carbon hydrogen bonds to carbon atoms and are therefore an excellent source of energy
Low mass to energy ratio
Insoluble as large and non polar
High ratio of hydrogen to oxygen atoms so release water when oxidised (water source)