Biomolecules overview Flashcards
What are biomolecules?
A molecule that is involved in the maintenance and metabolic processes of living organisms.
What are the functions of Lipids?
- Structural components of biological membranes
- Provide energy reserves in the form of triglycerides
- Serve as vitamins and hormones
- Lipid solubilisation
What is a saturated Lipid?
There are no double bonds present
What is an unsaturated Lipid?
There is at least 1 double bond present which causes a kink in the structure
Describe the structure of a Lipid
A lipid is comprised of a Carboxyl group and a Hydrocarbon chain
How can lipids be classified?
- Fatty acids
- Cholesterol
- Lipoproteins
What does the R stand for in the structure of an amino acid?
R = side chain
What is a side chain?
A side chain is a section of an Amino acids structure. This differs in each amino acid.
How can side chains be classified?
- Hydrophobic
- Hydrophilic
- In-between
What is the role of Peptide bonds in amino acids?
Peptide bonds form between the N=H of one amino acid and the C=O of another.
What do amino acids form?
- Proteins.
What is the chemical formula for carbohydrates?
(CH2O)n
Describe the structure of an Aldehyde.
An aldehyde has the top carbon atom single bonded to a Hydrogen and double bonded to an Oxygen (H-C=O)
Describe the structure of a Ketone.
A Ketone has a double bonded carbon to oxygen on the second carbon down.
What does ABBA stand for?
Alpha below
Beta above
What is a chiral atom?
An atom that remains in the same position despite the orientation of the compound changing.
What is an Anomeric carbon?
An atom around which rotation occurs.
What is the structure of Fructose?
- A 5 membered ring structure.
What is starch?
- stored carbohydrates in plant cells
What is the structure of Pyranose?
- A 6 membered ring structure.
Give an example of an Pyranose.
Glucose
What is Glycogen?
- A major form of stored carbohydrate.
- A homopolymer
What do carbohydrates become when they spontaneously react with alcohol?
Either
- Hemiacetal
- Hemiketal
What does DNA stand for?
Deoxyribonucleic Acid
What does RNA stand for?
Ribonucleic Acid
Name the 2 different types of nucleic base.
- Pyrimidine
- Purine
What is the structure of a Purine?
- A 2 ring structure
What is the structure of a Pyrimidine?
- A singular ring structure
Which of the bases are Purines
- Adenine
- Guanine
Which of the bases are Pyrimidines?
- Thymine
- Cytosine
- Uracil
What does a Nucleoside comprise of?
- Nitrogenous Base
- Pentose Sugar
What does a Nucleotide comprise of?
- Nitrogenous Base
- Pentose Sugar
- Phosphate Group
What are the functions of Nucleic acids?
- Energy stores for use in phosphate transfer reactions
- Important in co-enzymes
- Mediators in cellular processes
- Activated intermediates in biosynthetic reactions.