Biomolecules Flashcards
In the human body, the following 4 groups of organic substances are very important:
Carbohydrates
Lipids
Proteins
Nucleic acids
Organic compounds contain _____-_____ or ______ - _____ covalent bonds.
carbon-carbon, carbon-hydrogen
Describes certain arrangements of atoms attached to the carbon core of organic molecules
Functional Groups
or
Radicals
Functional group that is temporarily unattached and is highly reactive because of unpaired electrons
Free Radical
Organic compounds containing carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. Commonly called sugars and starches
Carbohydrates
Simple sugars with short carbon chains (i.e. glucose, fructose)
Monosaccharides
Two (di) simple sugars bonded together (i.e. sucrose, lactose)
Disaccharides
Many (poly-) simple sugars bonded together (i.e. glycogen)
Polysaccharides
5 Functions of Carbohydrates:
See pg 57 table 4-1
- Energy
- Molecular structure
- Cell membrane component
- Extracellular matrix
- Dietary Fiber
Water-insoluble organic molecules that are non-polar. Largely composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen and may contain phosphorous
Lipids
5 Types of lipids in the body:
- Fatty acids
- Triglycerides
- Phospholipids
- Steroids
- Other
used to synthesize triglycerides and phospholipids. When catabolized, generates ATP
fatty acids and glycerol
All available bonds of its hydrocarbon chain are filled/saturated with hydrogen atoms
Saturated Fatty Acid
One or more double bond in its hydrocarbon chain because not all the chain’s carbon atoms are saturated with hydrogen atoms
(pg 59 figure 4-6)
Unsaturated fatty acid
Most abundant lipid in body and in diet:
Triglycerides
Most highly concentrated form of chemical energy in body
Triglycerides
Solids at room temp
Saturated fatty acids
Liquids at room temp
unsaturated fatty acids
Lipid that is a primary component of cell membranes. Fat compounds similar to triglycerides
Phospholipids
Involved in many structural and functional roles throughout the body
Steroids
Lipids that play an important role in regulating the effects of several hormones, influence blood pressure, enhance the body’s immune system and inflammatory reponse
Prostaglandins
Fat-soluble vitamins are:
A, E, D, K
The 6 functions of lipids:
- Energy Source
- Structure
- Vitamins
- Protection
- Insulation
- Regulation
(pg 58 table 4-2)
All ______ contain carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen
proteins
The building blocks of all proteins
Amino Acids
Proteins are made up of # commonly occurring amino acids
20
genetically determined and occurs in a step-wise fashion or in a particular sequence
Protein synthesis
a covalent bond joining each pair of amino acids
peptide bond
covalent bond joining 2 amino acids
Dipeptide
covalent bond joining 3 amino acids
Tripeptide
covalent bond joining 4-9 amino acids
Peptide chain
covalent bond joining 10-2000 amino acids
polypeptide
Highly organized in structure and show a very definite relationship between their and their function
Protein molecules
Protein molecules can be broken down into these 2 types
Structural - form the structures of the body (tendon, ligaments)
Functional - cause chemical changes in molecules (enzymes, antibodies, hemoglbi)
7 functions of proteins:
- structure
- Catalyze chemical reactions
- Transport
- Communicate
- Receptors
- Immunological
- Energy
Survival of the human species depends largely on these two kinds of nucleic acid molecules:
DNA and RNA
forms the inherited genetic material inside each human cell
Deoxyribonucleic acids
or
DNA
relays instructions for genes to guide each cell’s synthesis of proteins from amino acids
Ribonucleic acids
or
RNA
The largest molecules in the body that are composed of sugar, nitrogenous base, and phosphate
DNA
____ _____ consist of two long chains coiled into a double-helix shape
DNA molecules
All DNA molecules in one individual are ____ and ____
unique, identical
consists of a long chain of nucleotide units. Each nucleotide consists of a nitrogenous base, a ribose sugar, and phosphate
RNA
RNA are usually ____-____
single-stranded
___ ____act as “temporary copies” of the master code of hereditary information in the DNA molecules
RNA molecules
The energy currency of the body. Stores energy from catabolic reactions and makes it available for cellular activites
Adenosine Triphosphate
or
ATP
The bonds that link the phosphate groups together
high-energy bonds
molecule composed of adenine (nitrogenous base) and ribose sugar (together called adenosine) to which 3 phosphate groups are attached
ATP
High energy molecule consisting of an amino acid derivative and phosphate.
Used when pre-existing ATP is in short supply in prolonged or intense exercise.
Creatine Phosphate
