Chapter 1 Biological molecules Flashcards
1.1 What are the features of Carbon?
- Each C atom make 4 bonds
- They form a tetrahedral shape
- Very readily form bonds with other C atoms
1.1 How are molecules based on carbon constructed/formed?
Carbon atoms very readily form bonds with other carbon atoms= allows sequence of carbon atoms (of various lengths) to be built up= which form a backbone by which other atoms can be attached to (in living organisms only a few other atoms can be attached to carbon) = permitting an immense no. of diff. types and sizes of molecules to be constructed all based on carbon
1.1 What are carbon-containing molecules known as? And what elements do most of them contain?
They are known as organic- molecules/compounds. All of them contain the elements carbon, hydrogen and oxygen (Less frequently they contain nitrogen, sulphur and phosphorus).
1.1 What is a monomer? And give an example.
A monomer refers to smaller units which may be joined to form polymers. E.g. Amino acids and simple sugars
1.1 What is a polymer? And give an example.
A polymer refers to a long-chain molecule made up of several monomers linked toegther by chemical bonds. E.g. proteins and carbohydrates
1.1 What is the basic monomer unit in carbohydrates? And what is a single monomer in carbohydrates called?
A sugar, otherwise known as a saccharide. A single monomer is therefore called monosaccharide.
1.1 What is pair of these monomers in carbohydrates called?
Disaccharide.
1.1 What are many of these monomers in carbohydrates called?
Polysaccharide.
1.1What are the characteristics of monosaccharides
-Sweet tasting
-Soluble
- Have a general formula (CH2O)n’ (n can be any no. from 3-7)
-All sugars end with -ose
1.1 What are the Greek terms used when referring to chemicals?
mono-one
di-two
tri-three
tetra-four
penta-five
hexa-six
poly-many
1.1 What are the characteristics of glucose?
- Glucose is perhaps the best-known monosaccharide
- It is a hexose (6-carbon) sugar
- Has formula C6H12O6
- It has two isomers; (alpha) α-glucose and (beta) β-glucose
- Chain of C atoms long enough to close up on itself and form a ring
1.1 What are isomers?
Isomers refer to organic molecules /compounds that have the same chemical formula but diff. structural/molecular formula
1.1 What is the difference between (alpha) α-glucose and (beta) β-glucose
Alpha glucose= OH group falls below carbon 1
Beta glucose= OH group falls above carbon 1
(Each line represents a covalent bond)
https://byjus.com/question-answer/the-difference-between-alpha-and-beta-glucose/
1.1 What is reduction? And what are reducing sugars? (include which carbohydrates are reducing sugars)
Reduction refers to a chemical reaction involving the gain of electrons. Reducing sugars are sugars which donate electrons to / reduce another chemical (in this case Benedict’s reagent). All monosaccharides and some disaccharides (e.g. maltose) are reducing sugars.
1.1 What happens when a reducing sugar is heated with Benedict’s reagent?
Benedict’s reagent (alkaline solution of copper (ll) sulfate ) is heated with a reducing sugar to form copper (l) oxide (orange-brown precipitate)
1.1 What is the Benedict’s test? (include a positive result)
- Add 2cm^3 of the food sample to the test tube (if not in liquid state already, grind it in water first)
- Add an equal volume of Benedict’s reagent
- Heat the mixture in a gently boiling water bath for 5 minutes
The presence of a reducing sugar is indicated by the change of Benedict’s reagent colour from a blue to an orange-brown colour
1.1 What are the results of the benedict’s test according to the concentration of the reducing sugars
None - Blue
Very low- Green
Low- Yellow
Medium- Brown
High- Red
1.2 What are some examples of monosaccharides?
Glucose, fructose and galactose
1.2 What are some examples of disaccharides?
Maltose= Alpha glucose +Alpha glucose
Sucrose= Alpha glucose +fructose
Lactose= Alpha glucose+ galactose
1.2 What are some examples of polysaccharides?
Cellulose = provides structural support in plants (made from β-glucose molecules)
Starch = storage molecule in plants (made from α-glucose)
Glycogen - storage molecule in animals (made from α-glucose)
1.2 Explain and identify the process which leads to the joining of monosaccharides?
(include the bond formed)
Monosaccharides can be joined together to form disaccharides and polysaccharides through a condensation reaction (the reaction in which a water molecule is removed between the reacting molecules and a bond is formed).
-An oxygen bridge, called a glycosidic bond, is formed between the two monosaccharides = Water is released as a product.
-Reaction is controlled by enzymes.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.khanacademy.org%2Fscience%2Fap-biology%2Fchemistry-of-life%2Fintroduction-to-biological-macromolecules%2Fa%2Fintroduction-to-macromolecules&psig=AOvVaw1cEAGGxM8a5mMacq_PCYeY&ust=1672156495663000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CBAQjRxqFwoTCJizv8HSl_wCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAE
1.2What is a glycosidic bond?
A covalent bond formed between two monosaccharides in a condensation reaction, which can be broken by a hydrolysis reaction, to release the monosaccharide units.
1.2 Explain and identify the process which leads to the breakdown of these joined monosaccharides?
Polysaccharides and disaccharides can be broken down to form monosaccharides through hydrolysis
-Under suitable conditions, when a water molecule is added, the glycosidic bond joining the monosaccharides break= releasing the constituent monosaccharides
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.khanacademy.org%2Fscience%2Fap-biology%2Fchemistry-of-life%2Fintroduction-to-biological-macromolecules%2Fa%2Fintroduction-to-macromolecules&psig=AOvVaw0rJYvOMRZNLW54FZYJkkY8&ust=1672156425437000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CBAQjRxqFwoTCJio_5_Sl_wCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAE
1.2 What are non-reducing sugars?
Non-reducing sugars are sugars that don’t react with Benedict’s reagent. And need to be broken down into its monosaccharide constituents by hydrolysis in order to be identified