Chemistry of Life Flashcards
What are micro- and macro-elements?
Micro-elements are only needed in small quantities and macro-elements are needed in larger quantities
What are minerals?
They are simple inorganic substances required by living organisms
What are some functions of water? (in the body)
Breaks down larger inorganic compounds, helps with chemical reactions, transports food and dissolves waste products eg. urine or sweat
What are organic substances?
Organic substances all contain carbon and hydrogen (Sometimes oxygen, nitrogen or phosphorus). They are only found in living organisms (Lipids, proteins)
Carbohydrates: What are monosaccharides ?
They have one sugar ring and are the monomers (building blocks) of all polysaccharides
Carbohydrates: What are disaccharides?
They have two sugar rings, made up of two monosaccharides units
Carbohydrates: What are polysaccharides?
Made up of more than two monosaccharides units
Types of sugar
Monosaccharides:
- Glucose
- Fructose
- Galactose
Disaccharides:
- Sucrose = glucose + fructose
- Maltose = glucose + glucose
- Lactose = glucose + galactose
Polysaccharides:
- Cellulose (Structure)
- Starch (Storage)
- Glycogen (Storage)
Starch test (Iodine solution) positive and negative colours
Positive: blue-black
Negative: yellow-orange
NB!! Know both ways
Glucose test (Benedict’s solution) positive and negative colours
Positive: red
Negative: blue
NB!! Know both ways
Glucose test (Fehling’s A+B solution) positive and negative colours
Positive: green/orange/yellow/red
Negative: blue
NB!! Know both ways
Protein test (Million’s test) positive and negative colours
Positive: wine red
Negative: white/cream
NB!! Know both ways
Protein test (Biuret test) positive and negative colours
Positive: violet to purple
Negative: blue
NB!! Know both ways
Lipids test (Ether test) positive and negative results
Positive: Translucent oil mark
Negative: No oil mark
NB!! Know both ways
Lipids test (Water test) positive and negative results
Positive: immiscible (oil floats)
Negative: miscible
NB!! Know both ways
What is the difference between a saturated and a unsaturated fat?
Saturated fats;
- Saturated with hydrogen atoms
- Solid at room temp
Unsaturated fats:
- Called oils, liquid at room temp
- Most plant and fish fats are unsaturated
Functions of lipids
They can store energy, protect organs, reduce heat loss, water proofing ability, phospholipids make cell membranes
Why is a diet that is high in fats dangerous?
It causes heart disease. It causes fatty deposits to form in the arteries, blocking blood flow (atherosclerosis)
What elements do proteins have to have?
Carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen. Some may have sulphur, phosphorus or iron. They are built up of long chains of monomers (amino acids)
How does a protein become denatured? (And enzymes)
By the structure changing because of extremely high/low temps or changes in pH levels. They have an optimum temp and pH level at which they work best. If it goes below the temp they will become inactive/dormant which is reversible. However if it goes above the temp or higher/lower pH levels it becomes denatured which is irreversible
What are some of the functions of a protein?
They store energy, used to form cell membranes and chromosomes, enzymes (in the organic catalysts group) help with chemical reactions
Functions of enzymes
They help speed up chemical reactions without being used up themselves aa well as regulating them to make sure the reactions occur at the optimum rate
What is the lock and key theory?
Each enzyme type has a particular shape and only one kind of substrate can fit into it.
What is anabolic and catabolic?
Anabolic is a building up reaction, the number of products is more than the number of reactants
Catabolic is a breaking down reaction, the number of products is less than the number of reactants
How do enzymes work?
They are made up of long chains of amino acids (they are proteins) which are folded to form active sites. Substrates can bind to these and form a enzyme-substrate complex. (There may also be a coenzyme) Once the reaction is complete the products are released and the enzyme can be used again
What happens when an enzyme is absorbed?
The active site changes shape so the substrate no longer fits and the enzyme doesn’t work anymore
Why are enzymes used in industry?
Because they can be used over and over so you only need a few enzymes and because they don’t need high temperatures to work so this reduces costs
How are enzymes used in industry?
They are used for tenderizing meat, removing hair, making beer/wine/vinegar/chocolate/syrup and used in washing powders to clean clothes
Types of enzymes
Proteases: break down proteins
Amylases: remove starch stains
Lipases: remove greasy stains (fats and oils)
What does DNA and RNA stand for?
DNA - deoxyribonucleic acid
RNA - ribonucleic acid
What is DNA’s building block?
nucleotides
What are the functions of the gene?
Each gene carries a code within it that decides which proteins and enzymes are going to be formed. It also controls the inheritance of characteristics from parents
Vitamin A: Functions, sources and deficiency disease
Functions: Helps with vision
Source: Milk, liver, fruits and veg
Disease: Night blindness (can’t see in dim light)
Vitamin B: Functions, sources and deficiency disease
Functions: Acts as a coenzyme in cellular respiration
Source: Whole grains, nuts, meat, yeast
Disease: Beri-Beri (Stunted growth, nerve/heart disorders)
Vitamin C: Functions, sources and deficiency disease
Functions: Maintains intercellular substance
Source: Citrus fruit, guavas, tomatoes, potatoes
Disease: Scurvy (bleeding gums)
Vitamin D: Functions, sources and deficiency disease
Functions: Helps with bone formation
Source: Dairy products, egg yolk
Disease: Rickets in kids, osteomalacia in adults
Vitamin E: Functions, sources and deficiency disease
Functions: Prevents oxidation of unsaturated fatty acids
Source: leafy greens vegetables
Disease: Haemorrhage (excessive bleeding)
