C5 The Chemical Basis of Life Flashcards
What are ‘biomolecules’?
A molecule produced by a living organism
What are the 4 main classes of biomolecules?
- Lipids
- Carbohydrates
- Proteins
- Nucleic Acids
What are ‘Organic compounds’?
- Organic compounds are essential to human functions
- Such as carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and nucleotides
- Organic because they contain both carbon and hydrogen.
What are ‘monosaccharides’?
Simple sugars, such as glucose
What are ‘disaccharides’?
More complex sugars, such as a glucose and a fructose sugar combined.
What are ‘polysaccharides’?
Complex sugars, such as cellulose which is a polysaccharide, made up of many glucose units joined together.
What is a ‘monomer’?
Monomers are small repeated linking molecules, which build up proteins, nucleic acids and complex carbohydrates.
What is a ‘polymer’?
Long chains of monomers.
What are the 5 main types of protein functions
- Antibodies
- Enzymes
- Messenger proteins
- Structural components
- Transport/ storage of molecules
What is meant by ‘cellular metabolism’?
A collective term for the thousands of chemical reactions occurring constantly within each living cells.
What are Catabolic reactions?
When complex molecules are broken down
What are Anabolic reactions?
When amino acids join together to form proteins and small molecules which can be built into larger molecules.
What are Exergonic reactions?
Exit, or releases energy
What are Endogonic reactions?
Enter, or energy is drawn in as bonds are formed.
