Biomolecules Flashcards
What are monomers ?
Atoms or small molecules that bond together to form a polymer
Definition of biochemistry
The chemistry of life
Types of biomolecules
Small molecules, monomers, polymers
- Carbohydrates (glycosidic bond)
- Proteins (peptide bond)
- Nucleic acid (phosphodiester bond)
- Lipids (ester bond)
Principles of biochemistry
- Cells are highly organised
- A constant source of energy is required to maintain homeostasis
- All organisms use the same type of (bio)molecules
- Living processes contain thousands of chemical pathways which are required to maintain life
- Instructions for growth, reproduction and develop[ments for each organism is encoded in their DNA
Characteristics of a cell
- Smallest unit of an organism
- Can be an entire organism (unicellular) or one of billions of cells that make up the organism (multicellular)
- Can grow, reproduce, use energy, adapt to respond to their environment
- Usual cell size is 10 micrometers
- Usual cell mass is 1 nanogram (ng)
- Can either be prokaryotic or eukaryotic
What is polymerisation ?
Small molecules such as monomers join to form long chain polymers
What are carbohydrates ?
Organic compounds that contain carbon, hydrogen and oxygen.
Where are carbohydrates found in?
Food and drinks alongside proteins and fats. Types are sugars, starch and fibre.
Function of carbohydrates
They are broken down into glucose = primary source of energy for the body
What are carbohydrates stored as ?
Glycogen in the liver and muscles
Structure of carbohydrates
- Simple sugars - monosaccharides
- Complex sugars - polysaccharides
What are proteins ?
Polymers that are made from lots of amino acids joining together by peptide bonds
Where are proteins found ?
In all living organisms but are the main components of muscles, hairs, nails, tendons, arteries, and connective tissue
What are lipids ?
Fatty/oily compounds that are insoluble in polar solvents but soluble in non-polar solvents e.g, acetone.
How does lipids help the body?
- Moves and stores energy
