Chapter 1.4-1.5 Biological Molecules Flashcards
how are glycogen and starch formed
via the condensation of alpha glucose
how is cellulose formed
via condensation of beta glucose
starch func + structure
- The α-helical structure of starch makes it good for storage as its compact
- large + insoluble so dosent affect water potential, wont diffuse out of cells
- when hydrolysed it forms a-glucose which can be transported easily and readily used in resp.
- enzymes can simult. act on the ends of the branches therefore they can be released rapidly
Glycogen structure and func
1. Insoluble - dosent draw in water into the cell via osmosis, and also cannot diffuse out of cell
- compact - a lot stored in small space
- highly bracnhed (more than starch) = more exposed ends for enz to simultaneously act on= therefore more rapildy broken down to form glucose monomers which are used in respiration
This is benefical for animals bc we have a high metabollic rate, therefore higher resp. rate, as we’re more active than plants.
Cellulose struc + func
provides support and rigidity:
- made of B-glucose and so form long straight, unbranched chains that run parallel to eachother and are cross linked by hydrogen bonds, which add collective strength
- these molecules are grouped to form microfibrils which in turn are grouped to form fibres all of which provides yet more strength
what monomers and polysacc are found in plants
poly= starch, cellulose
mono= a-gluc, b=gluc
which of the polys. has a structural function
cellulose
which polysacc. can be hydrolysed
starch, cellulose and glyc
what can move in/out of cells easily via facilitated diffusion
alpha gluc, beta gluc
what forms an esther bond
a condensation reaction between glycerol and a fatty acid (RCOOH)
how are triglycerides formed
via the condensation of one molecule of glycerol and three molecules of fatty acids = forming triglyceride and (3) waters
saturated
when fatty acid dosen’t contain carbon-carbon double bonds
mono-unsaturated
one double bond between carbon atoms
polyunsaturated
and why this makes oils liquid at room temp
more than one double bond between carbon atoms
the double bonds cause the molecule to bend, so it cannot pack together so closely making them liquid at room temp e.g oil
structure and properties of triglycerides
- energy storage= they have high ratio of Carbon-Hydrogen bonds: Carbon atoms
- storage molecules= have low mass: energy ratio so they can store lots of energy in a small volume. This is beneficial for animals as it reduces the mass they’ve to carry as they move around
- insoluble due to being large and non-polar; therefore their stroage dosent umpact osomsis in cell OR their water poitential
- source of water= have high ratio of H:O atoms = they relase water when oxidised, beneficial for dessert animals as they act as a source of water