Ch. 2.3 Life Substances II Flashcards
What is organic chemistry?
The branch of chemistry that deals with the structure, properties and reactions of compounds that contain carbon.
How many electrons does carbon have?
6 electrons and 4 electrons in its outermost energy level.
Why is carbon unique?
Because it can potentially form four bonds with other elements - single, double,triple bonds can be formed.`
When carbon atoms bond with each other they form?
Chain, branched or ring formations.
**What is a biomolecule?
Large organic compounds (contains 10s, 100s, to 1000s of carbon atoms.
What is an isomer?
Compounds with same chemical formula but different molecular structure.
**What is a polymer?
A large molecule formed when many small molecules (monomers) bind together.
What is it called when a polymer is formed?
The chemical reaction is called dehydration synthesis and a H20 molecule is removed.
What is it called when a polymer is broken down?
The chemical reaction is called hydrolysis and a H20 molecule is added to separate the molecule.
**What is a carbohydrate?
A biomolecule composed of carbon,hydrogen, and oxygen is a 1:2:1 ratio.
What does the word carbohydrate mean?
Watered Carbon
**What does the prefix glyco refer to?
Sugar
**What does the suffix - ose refer to?
It is used to name sugars.
What is the function of carbohydrates?
An immediate energy source, short-term energy storage, and structural support.
What are the types of carbohydrates?
Monosaccharide, disaccharide, polysaccharide.
**What is a monosaccharide?
Carbohydrates can occur as a single monomer unit. A simple (small) sugar. E.g., glucose, fructose.
**What is a disaccharide?
Two monosaccharides linked together. E.g., dehydration reaction of glucose and fructose (table sugar).
**What is a polysaccharide?
Carbohydrates can also be found as polymers composed of many monosaccharide subunits.
**What is cellulose?
A polysaccharide that provides structural support in plants. A glucose polymer used by plants for structure. It is made of oblong chains arranged like a chained link fence.
**What are starches?
A polysaccharide composed of branched glucose rings. A glucose polymer arranged in branched chains. Used by plants for energy storage and food for seeds and bulbs.
**What is glycogen?
A polysaccharide that is more highly branched than starch. A highly branched glucose polymer which is stored energy in the liver and muscles by mammals.
**What is chitin?
A polysaccharide that can be found in Kingdoms Animalia and Fungi. A structural polymer used the exoskeletons of arthropods and cell walls of fungi. (also used as internal sutures)
**What is a lipid?
Large biomolecules (nonpolar) that are made mostly of carbon and hydrogen with a small amount of oxygen. It can be reduced to a 1:2:1 ratio. Include fats, oils, waxes and steroids.
Are lipids insoluble in water?
Yes, because their molecules are nonpolar and repel water. E.g., fats, oils, waxes, and steroids
What are the functions of lipids?
Storing energy, signaling, and acting as the structural components of cell membranes.
**What are the components of a lipid?
Three fatty acids, one glycerol molecule, referred to as a triglyceriad, most contain chains of carbons and hydrogens called hydrocarbons.
**Lipids can be?
Saturated, unsaturated, or polyunsaturated.
**What is a saturated lipid (fatty acid)?
Have the maximum amount of hydrogen atoms possible. All of the carbon atoms are single and bonded together.
**What is an unsaturated lipid (fatty acid)?
Have fewer hydrogen atoms because there is at least one double bond between carbon atoms. Less hydrogen present.
What is a polyunsaturated lipid?
Has more than one double bond between carbons.
Why is a polyunsaturated lipid important health wise?
There are less H+ ions to clog blood vessels.
**Steroids?
Polyunsaturated lipids that include cholesterol and sex hormones (testosterone, estrogen, progesterone).
**What are a class of lipids that are a major component of all cell membranes as they can form lipid bilayers?
Phospholipids
What do most phospholipids contain?
A diglyceride and a phosphate group.
What are the polar heads and tails of a phospholipid?
The polar heads are hydrophillic and the non polar tails are hydrophobic.
**What does the word carbohydrate literally mean?
Watered carbon.
**Glucose?
Is a carbohydrate and the most important simple sugar (monosaccharide) in human metabolism.
**What is a fatty acid?
Long, linear hydrocarbon chains with a carboxylic acid group.
**What is glycerol?
A 3-carbon compound that is commonly found combined with fatty acids tails.
**Triglyceride?
A molecule derived from glycerol and three fatty acids. It is mainly in vegetable oil and animal fats. An important source of energy in animals.
**Phospholipid?
Consists of glycerol, two fatty acids, and a phosphate group. An important component of cell membranes.
**What does a hydrocarbon chain look like as saturated and unsaturated?
Saturated has maximum amount of hydrogen atoms; unsaturated has fewer. Draw.
**Cell membrane?
Lipids are an important component; the major component is the phospholipid. The cell membrane is referred to as the phospholipid bilayer because it is composed of two layers of phospholipids.
**Steroid hormones?
Lipids that send messages throughout the body. “Chemical messengers.” E.g., male sex hormone that guides male sexual development.
**Oil?
A triglyceride at room temperature.
**Wax?
Simple lipid, long chain fatty-acid, not soluble in water.
