Building Blocks and linear biopolymers Flashcards
what is a polymer?
its a covalently bond linked chain of monomers
what are the informational biopolymers?
DNA RNA and Proteins
why are informational biopolymers distinct?
they have more than one type of monomer
what is the information? what does it form?
its the order of the different types of monomers in the polymer chain. It forms a sequence
describe the common generic structure of informational biopolymers
it has a common element shared and identical in all the monomers and a characteristic element that makes the monomers different from each other
what is formed by the common element ?
it forms the polymer backbone when bonded covalently between monomers
what is formed by the characteristic element ?
the side chain that protrude from the polymer backbone
what is a joining site?
the site that is going to form a covalent bond with another monomer
what are the 3 possibilities when monomers join?
- one joining site: two monomers joined together
- 2 joining sites: LINEAR polymers of potentially infinite length is made
- 3 joining sites: BRANCHED polymers can be made
what is the difference between cells and informational biopolymers?
Cells CAN be branched while informational polymers can NOT
what is the structure of informational biopolymers?
they are LINEAR
What is the exception in the structure of informational biopolymers? Give en example
the two ends can be joined and form a circular molecule ex: genomic DNA molecules of bacterias (E.coli) and some viruses
what are informational biopolymers made from?
asymmetric monomers that drives the asymmetry of the polymer
describe the monomers that forms an informational biopolymer
they have two different joining sites that are chemically distinct
describe the growth of polymers
it is UNIDIRECTIONAL , monomers can only be added on one side ( the right side in the conventional representation)
