Biomolecules Flashcards
3 examples of monosaccharides
Glucose, Fructose, Ribose
3 examples of disaccharides
Lactose, Sucrose, Maltose
How many units do oligosaccharides consist of?
3-10
3 examples of polysaccharides
Starch, Cellulose, Glycogen
What bonds hold together polymers of glucose molecules?
Alpha 1-4 glycosidic bonds
Where are carbohydrates found in the body?
Muscle, liver (as glycogen) and blood glucose
3 functions of carbohydrates
- Serve the body as fuel
- Supply carbons for synthesis of cell components
- Form structural components of cells
What is the main form of starch?
Amylose
How is excess glucose stored in plants?
As starch
What bonds give glycogen its branched structure?
1-6 alpha glycosidic bonds
How do herbivores digest cellulose?
Microbial fermentation
What is the storage form of glucose in animals?
Glycogen
What is cellulose an important source of?
fibre
What type of bonds hold glucose monomers together in cellulose?
beta 1-4 glycosidic bond
Who cannot hydrolyse beta 1-4 glycosidic bonds?
non-ruminants
What are the important roles of lipids?
Membrane structure
Animal insulation
Hormone synthesis
Vitamin synthesis
What are the 4 main types of lipids?
Triacylglycerols/triglycerides
Phospholipids
Sterols
Glycolipids
What are triacylglycerols made up of?
a glycerol molecule, joined by three fatty acids
What do fatty acids consist of?
Long hydrocarbon chain with a carboxylic acid at one end and methyl group at the other end
What does amphiphatic mean?
A molecule with both hydrophobic and hydrophilic domains
What are the 3 factors that determine whether a compound is solid or liquid?
chain length
degree of saturation
shape
What are nonessential fatty acids?
What are nonessential fatty acids?
What are essential fatty acids?
fatty acids that cannot be synthesised and must be obtained through diet
What do phospholipids consist of?
two fatty acids and a modified phosphate group attached to a glycerol backbone
