Chapter 5 - Structure and Function of Large Biological Molecules Flashcards
list the 4 molecules of life
lipids, carbohydrates, proteins, nucleic acids
define monomers
the building block molecules of polymers
define polymers
many monomers covalently linked together
define dehydration reaction
monomer units are attached together by the loss of a water molecule
how are polymers assmbled?
dehydration reactions
what enzyme can catalyze dehydration reactions?
hydralase
define hydrolosis
a molecule of water is added to break the bond between monomers; the “reverse” of dehydration reactions
define homopolymer
polymers whose monomers are all identical
define heteropolymer
polymers composed of different monomers
list the functions of carbohydrates
storage, transport, building materials, recognition and communication at the cell surface
what form do animals store carbohydrates as?
glycogen
what form do plants store carbohydrates as?
starch
what form do animals transport carbohydrates as?
glucose; in the blood
what form do plants transport carbohydrates as?
sucrose
what is cellulose used in building?
cell walls in plant cells
what is chitin used for?
arthropod skeletons and fungal cell walls
how are carbohydrates used in recognition at the cell surface?
membrane glycoproteins and glycolipids
what is the general formula for a simple sugar?
some multiple of CH20
what are the characteristics of simple sugars?
3-7 carbons, hydroxyl and carbonyl functional groups, isomeric forms
define aldose
sugar that possesses an aldehyde group (carbonyl on the end of the carbon chain)
define ketose
sugar that possesses a ketone group (carbonyl within the carbon chain)
define isomeric forms
arrangement of groups on asymmetric carbon atoms
what carbohydrate form predominates in aqueous solution at pH 7?
ring form (not straight chain)
