Cellular Biology and Biochemistry Flashcards
Why is water so friggin important?
It is the universal solvent (dissolves more substances than any other).
It high heat capacity (ensures temperature moderation and homeostasis)
cohesion (between two water) and adhesion (water and something)
Water has lower density as a solid and high density as a liquid
What are functional groups?
-are the reactive sites in a molecule
-give physical and chemical properties to a molecule
–> hydroxyl (OH) and carboxyl (COOH)
-found in alcohols, sugars, fatty acids, amino acids
What is a polymer? a monomer?
Polymer: a molecule composed of repeating units of smaller molecules (monomer)
Monomer: the smallest repeating unit of a monomer
Difference between dehydration synthesis and hydrolysis
DS: take out a water to bond
Hydrol. : put in a water to break
Function and monomer of carbohydrates
-energy source, structure, cell-to-cell identification and communication
-monomer = monosaccharide
-alpha and beta glucoses
What is a disaccharide? an ether bond?
Disaccharide: two monosaccharides joined by dehydration synthesis
ether bond: formed by water removed from two hydroxyl groups
Glucose + Glucose –> ?
Maltose + water
Glucose + Fructose –> ?
sucrose + water
Glucose + Fructose –> ?
sucrose + water
Glucose + galactose –>
Lactose + water
What are the different polysaccharides?
– Starch –
monomer: Alpha glucose
Found in plants
function: Glucose storage in plants
– Glycogen –
monomer: alpha glucose
Found in liver and muscle cells
function: glucose storage in animals
– Cellulose –
monomer: beta glucose
Found in plant cells walls
structural support for plant cells
what are the function of lipids and their monomers?
-used for long-term energy storage, cushioning, protection, vitamin absorption (triglycerides)
-used to make cell membranes (phospholipids)
-used to make hormones (steroids)
-used to make waterproof coating on plants and animals (waxes)
monomer: monoglyceride (glycerol and 3 fatty acids)
What is an ester bond?
-formed by water being removed from hydroxyl and carboxyl
what is an saturated and unsaturated fatty acid? (and their differences)
saturated: all single bonds between carbon atoms, solid at room temperatures (butter, cream, meat, cheese)
unsaturated: one or more double bonds between carbon atoms, liquid at room temperature (vegetable oils, fish, nuts, avocados)
what is a triglyceride?
monomer: glycerol and fatty acids
Where? plants and animals - used for long term energy storage
what is a phospholipid?
monomer: glycerol, 2 fatty acids, phosphate group
where? cell membrane
What is a steroid?
monomer: synthesized from cholesterol; composed of 4-C based rings
where? cholesterol: cell membranes, estrogen and testosterone/sex hormones
What is trans fat?
- a hydrogenated fat/breaking double bonds of unsaturated fat
What are the functions and monomers of proteins?
Functions:
-structural components of cells (used for support, movement, and transport)
-enzymes (catalyze chemical reactions
-regulators of cell process (hormones, gene control)
-defense from disease (antibodies)
monomer: amino acids
what differs each amino acid from each other?
They differ by their R-group
–> are side chains that affect bonding
what are dipeptides, polypeptides, and a peptide bond?
dipeptide: 2 amino acids joined together
polypeptide: 3 or more amino acids joined together
peptide bond: formed by water removed from amino and carboxyl groups)
what are the different levels of protien structure?
primary structure: order of amino acids
secondary structure: alpha helix or beta-pleated sheets (keratin is alpha-helix, fibroin (in spider web silk) is a beta pleated sheet)
tertiary structure: bends and kinks in secondary structure due to interaction between R-groups
quaternary structure: 2 or more polypeptide chains join together to make a “globular” structure
what and how many essential amino acid are there?
-cannot be synthesized by the human body
–> must be present in our diet