Chemistry Of Life Flashcards
4 types of substances that make living things
Carbohydrates
Proteins
Lipids (fats)
Nucleic acids
Carbohydrates are made of?
Made of Monosaccharide (one starch) monomers.
which combines to make polysaccharides (many starches)
Carbohydrates uses
Short term energy storage; they burn quick
Carbohydrates examples
Glucose. Starch.
All sugars.
Potatoes. Fruit. Vegetables.
Protein monomers?
What are proteins made of?
Amino acid monomers.
Different amino acids combine to form different proteins.
Protein uses and examples
Enzymes.
Signaling with hormones. Transport of molecules.
Antibodies.
Lipids structure
Phospholipids have polar head and non polar tail
Lipids uses and examples
Make up the cell membrane in a bilayer.
Long term energy storage. (Fat)
Steroids. Have ring structure.
Nucleic acid structure and uses
Made up of nucleotide monomers.
Examples are DNA and RNA which carries the genetic code for cell function and reproduction.
DNA
Double helix.
Sugar-phosphate backbone with nitrogenous bases as “rungs” of ladder
Enzymes
Proteins that Speed up reactions by lowering the energy needed to start them. (Activation energy)
Catalysts. Help a reaction but are not part of the reaction and are NOT used up and can be recycled and used again.
Characteristics of enzymes.
Must bind to specific substances like a lock and key.
Heat denatures them and keeps them from working.
Usually work at specific pH ranges (acid:base)
