Chapter 1: Carbohydrates/Lipids Flashcards
What is the theory of evolution?
the theory that all organisms on Earth are descended from one COMMON ancestor and that they have changed over time
How can biochemistry be used as evidence for the theory of evolution?
this is because all animals share same biochemistry, no matter how diverse they are, so it proved that animals and plants have a common ancestor.
What are the definitions of monomers and polymers?
monomer- a small, basic molecular unit
polymer- a large chain made up of small repeating units
What is an isomer?
molecules with the same formula but are arranged in different ways
What is the general formula of a monosaccharide?
(CH₂O)ₙ
How are biological polymers formed?
by condensation reactions, which forms a chemical bond between monomers
releases a water molecule
How are biological polymers broken down?
by hydrolysis reactions
breaks the chemical bond between monomers
uses a water molecule
What are the monomers of carbohydrates?
monosaccharides
What are the two types of glucose?
alpha glucose
beta glucose
(need to be able to draw their structures!!!!)
Glucose is a _____ sugar?
hexose- a monosaccharide with six carbon atoms in each molecule
What type of bond is formed between two monosaccharides?
glycosidic bonds
1-4 is because the bond is formed between the first and the fourth carbon atom of the glucose mol.
How are the disaccharides maltose, sucrose and lactose produced?
(α) glucose + glucose == maltose (found in wheat)
(α) glucose + fructose == sucrose (1-2 glycosidic bond)
(β) glucose + galactose == lactose (1-4 glycosidic bond)
What are the two classifications of sugars?
reducing and non-reducing
this is dependent on their ability to donate electrons when in a copper sulfate solution (present in Benedict’s solution)
(ketone and aldehyde ability to donate electrons)
How to test for reducing sugars?
add Benedict’s solution to sample
HEAT it in a water bath
if positive, solution goes from blue to green/yellow/orange/brick-red (red being the most concentrated) (a red PRECIPITATE will be observed)
How to test for non-reducing sugars?
heat sample with dilute HCl
neutralise sol. with sodium hydrogencarbonate
then heat with Benedict’s reagent to the sample
if positive, colour change from blue to green/yellow/orange/brick-red
What is the test for starch (polysaccharide)?
add a few drops of iodine in potassium iodide solution to the sample
if starch present, solution will turn blue/black
Why do you add HCl in test for non-reducing sugar?
to allow ACID HYDROLYSIS to occur
breaks down bonds using acid
What are three properties of fructose?
its a simple sugar (monosaccharide)
- very soluble
- found in fruits
- sweeter than glucose
What are three properties of galactose?
- not as soluble as glucose
- has a role in the production of glycolipids and glycoprotein
What are two examples of pentose sugars?
ribose and deoxyribose
What is the function of starch and what two components make up starch?
it is used as an energy storage molecule in plants
- amylopectin
- amylose
What is amylose?
- it is a long ,UNbranched chain of alpha - glucose mol.
- coiled, helical structure
- compact (so it can store more mol. in the same place)
- joined by several alpha 1-4 glycosidic bonds
What is amylopectin?
- long, branched chain of alpha - glucose
- many branches means enzymes can reach glycosidic bonds quicker- so gl. can be released quicker
- has 1-4 (for chains) and 1-6 (for branches) alpha glycosidic bonds
- 1-6 bonds allow branches to be formed
How does starch affect water potential in cells?
it does not affect water potential because it is insoluble, makes it good for storage
What is cellulose used for?
it is used in plants for structural support
it is very strong and prevents cells from bursting
makes up the cell wall as it has great TENSILE stength
What is the structure of cellulose?
its a long, unbranched chain of BETA glucose mol.
forms 1-4 glycosidic bonds by every other monomer rotating 180°
the chains are linked by HYDROGEN bonds which then forms strong fibres-microfibrils, forms a MATRIX
What things make cellulose strong?
- hydrogen bonds that join the chains
- every other monomer is rotated
- microfibril fibres are very strong
What is glycogen used for?
energy store of glucose in animals
What is the structure of glycogen?
- it is made of alpha glucose mol.
- forms 1-6 glycosidic bonds
- very branched structure, so stored glucose can be released quicker because enzymes can act on glycosidic bonds easier
- its also a compact mol. so good for storage
Where is glycogen stored?
it is stored as small granules in the liver and muscles
How can you compare glycogen to starch?
density, solubility & rate of breakdown
-glycogen is less dense
-glycogen is also more soluble
-it is broken down quicker than starch
this proves that animals have higher metabolic requirements
Why is starch a good storage mol.?
- it is unbranched and coiled so compact, can fit more in smaller space
- insoluble
- large mol. so it can fit many glucose molecules into a smaller space
- amylopectin is highly branched so enzymes can have quicker access to the bonds, release the glucose faster