Chapter 3; Molecules of Life Flashcards
1
Q
Describe the two main things in cells
A
Water and carbon-based molecules are the two main things in cells.
2
Q
Why is carbon special as a molecule?
A
Carbon’s ability to form the skeletons of large, complex, diverse molecules that are necessary for life’s functions.
3
Q
What are organic compounds?
A
The study of carbon-based molecules.
4
Q
Describe why carbon atoms are versatile as molecular ingredients.
A
A carbon atom has four electrons in the outer shell which holds a total of 8. It also shares four covalent bonds with other atoms. Carbon uses one or more of their bonds to construct an endless diversity of carbon skeletons.
5
Q
Describe hydrocarbons and why they are important, especially for our bodies.
A
Hydrocarbons only contain carbon and hydrogen. The energy-rich parts of fat molecules have a hydrocarbon structure which is in our bodies.
6
Q
What is the simplest hydrocarbon? Describe it and note where it appears in everyday life.
A
Methane is the simplest hydrocarbon. It is produced by prokaryotes that live in swamps and in the digestive tracts of grazing animals, for example COWS. Large hydrocarbons are the main molecules in the gasoline where we burn in cars.
7
Q
Why is the shape of a molecule important?
A
Many vital processes within living organisms rely on the ability of molecules to recognize one another based on their shape.
8
Q
The unique properties of an organic compound depend on two things…name them.
A
Carbon skeletons and functional groups.
9
Q
What is this?
A
Methane, the simplest hydroocarbon.
10
Q
Draw the structural formula and write the chemical equation of methane.
A
The chemical equation is CH4.
11
Q
Define and describe functional groups
A
Functional groups are groups of atoms that usually participate in chemical reactions. Two examples of them are carboxyl and hydroxyl groups.
12
Q
Give two examples of a functional groups. Include both their english names AND their chemical formulas.
A
Carboxyl and Hydroxyl. Hydroxyl: (-OH) Carboxyl: (-COOH)
13
Q
What is the basic formula of organic molecules?
A
Carbon skeletons with functional groups.
14
Q
Draw on paper an example of Carbon skeletons varying in length
A
ON PAPER
15
Q
Draw on paper an example of Carbon skeletons having double bonds which vary in location
A
ON PAPER
16
Q
Draw on paper an example of carbon skeletons being arranged in rings.
A
ON PAPER
17
Q
Draw on paper an example of Carbon skeletons being branched and unbranched
A
ON PAPER
18
Q
Name the three categories of biological molecules that are called macromolecules. Give an example of each.
A
Carbs, proteins, and nucleic acids. Stuff in french fries and bagels have carbs in it. Meats contain many proteins. DNA adn RNA are examples of nucleic acids.
19
Q
What does “macro” in “macromolecules” mean?
A
Macro means BIG
20
Q
Why can macromolecules be understood easily?
A
They are polymers which are large molecules made by stringing together many smaller molecules called monomers.
21
Q
What are polymers?
A
They are polymers which are large molecules made by stringing together many smaller molecules called monomers.
22
Q
What are monomers?
A
The many smaller molecules strung together.
23
Q
Give an real-life analogy to help remember what a polymer is.
A
A pearl necklace. Stringing all the pearls togethrt to get them all together on one string.
24
Q
Describe how cells link monomers together to form polymers. Explain the type of reaction and explain what is produced as a result of that type of reaction.
A
The reaction used to link cells together to form polymers is dehydration reaction. This reaction removes a molecule of water. For each monomer added to a chain, a water molecule is formed by the release of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom.
25
Why would organisms need not just to MAKE macromolecules but also to BREAK DOWN macromolecules? Give an example.
We have to get the monomers available to our cells. For example, when we eat food we must digest it to make the monomers available to our cells.
26
What process is used to break down polymers? Explain the two parts of the word's name, describe how it works, and note what the reverse type of process is.
Hydrolysis is the process used to break down polymers. Lyse means to break and hydro means water. A process where you add water and dehydration reaction is the complete opposite of this type of reaction.
27
Give an example of a hydrolysis reaction.
An example is the breakdown of lactose by the enzyme lactase.
28
What kind of reaction is this? Explain it. (See the captions in Figure 3.4: (a))
It is a dehydration reaction because it is giving off the hydrogen molecule.
29
What kind of reaction is this? Explain it. (See the captions in Figure 3.4: (b))
It is a hydrolysis reaction because it is adding a water molecule.
30
When two molecules of glucose (C6H12O6) are joined together, what are the formulas of the two products? (Hint: No atoms are gained or lost)
Be sure you understand why. What kind of reaction is this?
C12H22O11+H2O
This is a hydrolysis reaction because a hydrogen molecule is being added.
31
What are the four categories of large biological molecules?
carbohydrates
lipids
proteins
nucleic acids
32
Carbohydrates can be....
I will give you the answer here:
**Sugars** and **polymers of sugars**
33
Give an example of small sugar molecules and an example of long sugar molecules
The small sugar molecules are stored in soft drinks and in long sugar moleciles are pasta or potatoes.
34
What function do carbohydrates serve for animals?
Carbs are a primary source for dietary energy.
35
What function do carbohydrates serve for plants?
Carbs serve as a builing material for much of the plant body.
36
What are monosaccharides? What is special about them? Give two examples of monosaccharides and where each of those two examples are found.
Monosacchiraides are simple sugars. They cannot be broken down by hydrolysis into smaller sugars.. They are found in glucose in sports drinks and they are found in fructose in fruits.
37
What is the molecular formula for glucose?
C6H12O6
38
What is the molecular formula for Fructose?
It has the same formula as glucose but it is arranged differently.
39
What are isomers? Give an example.
Glucose and fructose are examples of isomers. Ismomers are molecules that have the same molecular formula but different structures.
40
Sugars can be linear, but in water, what form do they often take?
Many monosaccharaides form rings when one part of the molecule forms a bond with another part of the molecule, as shown for glucose.
41
What role do monosaccharides play in cellular work?
Cells break down glucose molecules and extract their stored energy giving off carbon dioxide. \<----- Car example
42
What do your cells do to glucose molecules, and what do they give off?
Cells break down glucose molecules and extract their stored energy giving off carbon dioxide. \<----- Car example
43
Give an example of how aqueous glucose (that means glucose in water) is used. Why is it used for that purpose?
It is injected to the bloodstream of sick patients and provides an immediate energy source to tissues in need of repair.
44
What concept does this picture demonstrate?
answer: isomers. Glucose and Fructose have the same atoms and the same formula, but they are arranged differently.
45
What is a disaccharide? How is it constructed?
A disaccharide is a double sugar. It is constructed from two monosaccharides through a dehydration reaction.
46
Give an example of a disaccharide and say what two monosaccharides it is made from.
It is made from glucose and galactose. An example is a maltose, found in germinating seeds.
47
Give two examples of disaccharides and note what monosaccharides they are made from.
Lactose: glucose and galactose. Found in milk.
Maltose: glucose and glucose. Found in germinating seeds.
Sucrose: glucose and fructose. Found in plant sap.
48
What is the most common disaccharide, and what is it made of?
The most common is sucrose. It is made of table sugar. It is made up of glucose and fructose
49
Where do sugar manufacturers get sucrose from?
It is found in the stems of sugar canes or the roots of sugar beets
50
Why is sugar not good in too big amounts?
* major cause of tooth decay
* often replaces eating healthier foods; not many nutrients
51
What does this picture show being formed?
Lactose
52
What are polysaccharides? What is a familiar example of a polysaccharide, and what is it made of? Where does it come from, and how do animals digest it?
They are long chains of sugar units. Starch is a familiar example of a polysaccharide. It is made of many glucose monomers strung together. It comes from potatoes and grains. Humans and most animals can digest starch becaue they can break the bonds betwen glucose monomers through hydrolysis.
53
How do animals store excess sugar?
They store it ina form of polysaccharaide called glycogen.
54
What is glycogen? What is it made of, and how is it different from starch?
It is a polysaccharide. It is a glucose monomer. Glycogen is more extensively branched.
55
Where is most of our glycogen stored? When is it broken down?
Most of our glycogen is stored as granules in our liver and muscle cells. It is broken down a night before an athletic event or anything and you eat large amounts of starchy foods.
56
What is cellulose? Where does it appear? How does it help humans? How is it different from starch and glycogen? How does this help the human body?
Cellulose is the most abundant organic compund on Earth. We see it when we use lumber as a buildng material. The cellulose in plants, which passes unchanged through our dietary tract, is know an dietary "fiber." Its glucosw monomers are linked together in a different orientation. The fiber keeps our digestive system healthy.
57
What were the three broad categories of carbohydrates we learned about?
monosaccharides, disaccharides, polysaccharides
58
What does it mean to be hydrophilic? How does this relate to carbohydrates?
All carbohydrates are hydrophillic meaning that they are water loving.
59
What does it mean to be hydrophobic? How does this relate to lipids?
Hyrophobic means to be water-fearing. All lipids are water-fearing.
60
Why do oil and vinegar (or oil and water) separate from each other? Which one is the lipid?
Oil is hydrophobic meaning it is water fearing so it separates from the water. Oil is the lipid here.
61
How are lipids different from carbohydrates, proteins, and nucleic acids?
Lipids are not macromolecules or polymers.
62
What two types of lipids are we learning about?
Fats and Steroids.
63
What is a typical fat molecule made of? WHat is it called?
a glycerol molecule joined with three fatty acid molecules. It's called a triglyceride.
64
Which stores more energy: fat or carbohydrates?
Fats
65
Why is a reasonable amount of body fat normal and healthy for humans? Where is it stored? What is its purpose?
A reasonable amount of body fat is both normsl and healthy as a fuel reserve. It is stored in adipose cells. It swells an shrinks when we deposit and withdraw fat from them.
66
There are three fatty acid chains in this picture. How many are saturated and how many are unsaturated? What does it mean for a fatty acide to be unsaturated, and how can you tell that it is unsaturated?
They are all unsaturated. It has fewer than maximum number of hydrogens at the location of the double bond.
67
Which can stack more easily: saturated fats or unsaturated fats? What does that mean for the state of that kind of fat when at room temperature?
Saturate fats stack easily. It will be solid at room temperature.
68
If your diet is rich in saturated fats, what might happen to you? Why would saturated fats have that effect?
It could cause cardiovascular disease by promoting atheroclerosis. Plaque builds up inside walls of blood vessels, reducing blood flow and increasing risk of heart attacks and strokes.
69
Describe the differences between fats found in animals vs. fats found in plants and fish?
Plants and fish fats are relatively high in unsaturated fatty acids. Most unsaturated fats are found in liquids at room temperature. In plants, fats can be either saturated or unsaturated. They can be both.
70
How are unsaturated fats different from saturated fats at room temperature, and what impact does that have on their healthiness?
Saturated fats are solids in room temperature and unsaturated fats are found in liquids at room temperature. Unsaturated fats are more healthier than saturated fats. Unsaturated fats has fish oil and vegetable oil which are fairly healthy for our body.
71
Give examples of foods that have mostly unsaturated fats.
vegetable oils (example: corn oil, canola oil)
fish oils (cod liver oil)
72
What is hydrogenation? When do food manufacturers use this process? What is the downside to hydrogenation?
Hydrogenation is a process to convert unsaturated fats to saturated fats using hydrogenation. Sometimes, food manufactuers want to use a vegetable oil (which, remember, is mostly unsaturated, meaning it's liquid at room temperature) but they need the food to be solid. So they add hydrogen to hydrogenate it. Unfortuntaely, this creates trans fats, which are REALLY bad for you.
73
Are all fats unhealthy? Which kinds should be avoided?
Not all fats are unhealthy. Saturated and trans fat should be avoided.
74
Are steroids hydrophobic or hydrophilic?
They're lipids. Steroids are hydrophobic -- water-fearing.
75
Are steroids similar to or different from fats?
Both are lipids, but steroids are different from fats in structure and function.
76
What is the basic structure of a steroid?
A carbon skeleton with four fused rings. Different functional groups are attached to those rings, and those differenct functional groups make different steriods do different things.
77
What is a very common example of a steroid? What repuation does it have and what essential function does it serve?
Cholesterol. It can cause cardiovascular disease. It has a bad reputation. It is also the key component of the membranes that surround your cells.
78
What kind of drug is a synthetic (man-made) version of a steroid? Name two ways it is used.
Anabolic steroids are synthetic versions of testosterone, which is a steroid our bodies produce naturally.
Two uses:
* treating AIDS and cancer
* athletes can abuse steroids so that they can build muscle very quickly
79
What are some negative consequences of abusing anabolic steroids?
depression, mood swings, high cholesterol, infertility, reduced sex drive, etc.
80
What is a protein?
A polymer of amino-acid monomers
81
What's the biggest special role that proteins play?
They DO many things. For most things that happen, proteins are what actually does it.
82
What is the monomer of a protein? What does its shape look like?
amino acid
amino group, carboxyl group, side group
side group varies from one amino acid to another. amino group and carboxyl group are always the same.
83
How many common amino acids are there?
20 types
84
Describe the shape of an amino acid, naming each part and noting which part makes a particular amino acid special.
A central carbon with four things connected:
* a carboxyl group (--COOH)
* an amino group (--NH2)
* a hydrogen atom
* A side group, also called an R group. THIS gives the amino acid its special properties
85
Give an example of one thing that amino acids having different side groups can affect.
Example: Different side groups can make one amino acid hydrophilic and another hydrophilic. (Remember what those two things mean?)
86
Name five things that proteins can do
1. Structural proteins - provide support
2. Storage proteins - provide amino acids for growth
3. Contractile proteins - help movement
4. Transport proteins - help move things inside your body
5. Enzymes - help chemical reactions happen
87
What are the monomers for proteins?
**AMINO ACIDS :)**
88
What kind of reactions connect amino acid monomers to form polymers?
Dehydration reactions and the bond between adjacent amino acids is called peptide bond.
89
What kinds of bonds link amino acids that are next to each other?
**peptide bonds**
90
What is the word for a long chain of amino acids linked together? Why does that name make sense?
polypeptide
The name makes sense because it is a chain with many peptide bonds. Peptide bonds are the type of bond that connects amino acids to one another.
91
Your body has tens of thousants of different kinds of proteins. If there are only 20 amino acids, how can your body make so many different types of proteins?
The amino acids can be arranged in many different ways. Kind of like how there are so many words even though English has just 26 letters.
92
What is the **primary structure** of a protein? Give a real-life analogy of how differences in primary structure can have a big impact.
How the amino acids are arranged -- like the "spelling" of a polypeptide.
Analogy: Changing even just one amino acide can change a word significantly. Think "tasty" vs. "nasty." Similarly, changing even one amino acid can change a protein's function in a big way.
Example: Hemoglobin is a protein in your blood that carries oxygen. If a single amino acid gets changed in hemoglobin, your hemoglobin can't carry oxygen anymore, which makes you very sick.
93
Is a polypeptide chain the same thing as a protein? Give an example or analogy to support your answer.
No, a polypeptide chain is not the same thing as a protein. It is like one piece of yarn that you might use to make a sweater. (The string of yarn is the polypeptide chain; the sweater is the protein)
94
What is the **secondary structure** of a protein?
Certain stretches of the polypeptide chain can form patterns, like an alpha helix or a pleated sheet.
95
What is the **tertiary structure** of a protein?
The overall 3d shape of a a polypeptide chain
96
What is the **quaternary structure** of a protein?
Proteins with two or more polypeptide chains can join together.
97
What is the relation between a protein's shape and what it does?
What a protein does is a CONSEQUENCE of its shape.
Again; A protein's shape determines what it does.
98
What can change a protein's shape?
a change in temperature or pH or some other environmental factor can change a protein's shape
99
What is denaturation?
When a protein loses its normal shape
100
What is it called when a protein loses its normal shape?
That is called denaturation.
101
Give an example of denaturation
When you cook an egg, the egg white goes from clear to white. That is caused by proteins in the egg denaturing.
102
What determines the amino acid sequence of a protein?
A gene! And genes are made of nucleic acids.
103
What are nucleic acids? What is their purpose?
They are macromolecules that provide the directions for building proteins.
104
Where does the word *nucleic* come from?
Their location in the nuclei of eukaryotic cells.
105
What are the two types of nucleic acids? What are their acronyms and what do they stand for?
DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) and RNA (ribonucleic acid)
106
What is a gene?
A specific stretch of DNA that programs the amino acid sequence of polypeptide.
107
What are the monomers of nucleic acids? What are the three parts?
Nucleotides. The three parts are: a sugar, a phosphate, and a nitorgeneous.
108
What are the four possible nitrogenous bases in DNA? Give their letters and full names.
Adenine (A), Guanine )G), Thymine (T), Cytosine (C)
109
What kind of reactions link nucleotide monomers into long chains called polynucleoties?
Dehydration reactions
110
What forms the backbone of DNA?
Sugar and phosphate
111
Describe the structure of DNA
Double helix.
Two polynucleotide strands that are wrapped around each other
112
Describe the base pairings in DNA
A with T
G with C
113
What is similar between DNA and RNA?
What is different?
DNA has AGTC, but RNA has AGCU. They both have different names and sugars.RNA is in a single strande form, but DNA is in a double helix form.
114
