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Biology A-Level > Core Concepts: Biological Molecules > Flashcards

Core Concepts: Biological Molecules Flashcards

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1
Q

What are the 4 key elements that make up biological molecules and are essential for living

A

Oxygen
Carbon
Hydrogen
Nitrogen

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2
Q

What are four macronutrient inorganic ions

A

Magnesium
Iron
Phosphate
Calcium

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3
Q

What is the importance of Magnesium

A

It’s a part of chlorophyll, without it chlorophyll can’t be made so the leaves turn yellow

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4
Q

Whats the importance of Iorn

A

Its part of haemoglobin, lack of iron in the human diet can lead to anaemia

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5
Q

What is the importance of Phosphate

A

Used for making nucleic acids such as DNA, RNA and ATP. Its a part of phospholipids, found in plasma membranes.

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6
Q

What is the importance of calcium

A

Its a structural component for bones and teeth.

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7
Q

What does inorganic mean

Based on this what would organic mean

A

Compounds that do not contain carbon bonded to hydrogen like water or carbon dioxide

Compounds that consist of carbon bonded to hydrogen.

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8
Q

What is a Micronutrient

A

Inorganic nutrients needed in minute traces e.g copper and zinc

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9
Q

What is a Macronutrient

A

Inorganic ions needed in small amounts e.g phosphate, calcium, magnesium and iron.

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10
Q

What is polymerisation

A

The linking together of identical monomers to form larger molecules called polymers.

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11
Q

State one way polymerisation can occur and what is eliminated in this reaction.

A

Condensation reaction, in this reaction water is eliminated

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12
Q

State one way a polymer can be broken down and what is added.

A

Hydrolysis reaction, in this reaction water is added.

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13
Q

What elements to carbohydrates contain

A

Carbon Oxygen and Hydrogen

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14
Q

What are the two main functions of carbohydrates

A
  • Storage and release of Energy
  • Cellular structures (like cellulose cell walls in plants)
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15
Q

What are the three types of carbohydrate.

A

Monosaccharides
Disaccharides
Polysaccharides

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16
Q

What are monosaccharides

A

These are monomers of much larger and complex carbohydrates

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17
Q

What are disaccharides and what bond is involved

A

These are two monosaccharides combined together by glycosidic bonds.

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18
Q

What are polysaccharides

A

These are Large carbohydrates made up of monosaccharides joined together by glycosidic bonds.

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19
Q

What is the general formula for carbohydrates

A

Cn(H2O)n

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20
Q

If a monosaccharide has 3,5 and 6 carbon atoms what sugar is it (3)

A

3 = Triose
5 = Pentose
6 = Hexose

21
Q

What is an isomer

A

An isomer is when there is the same amount of molecules but different arrangement of their atoms

22
Q

What is the difference between alpha-glucose and beta-glucose. And what acronym can I use to remember this

A

They are isomers. the arrangement of OH and H bonded to the carbon 1 is different In both glucoses. ABBA (Alpha Below Beta Above) Meaning for alpha the OH is below the Carbon 1 but for beta the OH is above Carbon 1.

23
Q

Whats a useful property of monosaccharides

A

They are small therefore they are soluble in water and can easily dissolve inside the cells and are easily transported in the blood stream for animals.

24
Q

Name two hexose sugars that are also isomers.

A

Fructose and galactose

25
Q

Name the three disaccharides

A

Maltose
Sucrose
Lactose

26
Q

What two monosaccharides is Maltose, Sucrose and Lactose made up of

A

Maltose = a-glucose + a-glucose
Sucrose = glucose + fructose
Lactose = glucose + galactose

27
Q

Where is Maltose found and what is it used for

A

Maltose is found inside seeds and is a important source of glucose during germination

28
Q

What is Sucrose used for

A

Transported through the phloem of all plants

29
Q

What is Lactose used for

A

This is found in mammalian milk and is an important source of energy for their young.

30
Q

Explain why a bond may be called 1-4 glycosidic bond

A

This is because the bond occurs between carbon 1 and carbon 4 of the monosaccharide

31
Q

Draw a condensation reaction of maltose between two alpha-glucose monomers.

A

Refer to page 9 of Biological molecules booklet.

32
Q

What two main functions can a polysaccharide have

A
  • Storage
  • Structural
33
Q

What three properties do storage polysaccharides such as glycogen and starch have

A

Insoluble - don’t effect osmosis
Compact - so can be stored in a small place in the cell
Easily be hydrolysed - to release the glucose for respiration

34
Q

Give 4 examples of polysaccharides, which of them are structural or storage and which of them are animal or plant.

A

Starch - storage - plant
Glycogen - storage - animals
Cellulose - structural - plants
Chitin - structural - animals

35
Q

What are the two types of starch

A

Amylose and amylopectin

36
Q

What type of glucose is amylose starch made up of, what type of structure does it have and what bonds does it have

A

Amylose Starch is made of alpha glucose monomers - straight chained helix structure - alpha 1-4 glycosidic bonds

37
Q

What type of glucose is amylopectin starch made up of, what type of structure does it have and what bonds does it have

A

Amylopectin Starch is made of alpha glucose monomers - branched polymer - alpha 1-4 and 1-6 glycosidic bonds

38
Q

What is glycogen found (2)

A

Liver and muscle cells

39
Q

What type of glucose is glycogen made up of, what type of structure does it have and what bonds does it have

A

glycogen is made up of alpha glucose monomers - highly branched - alpha 1-4 and 1-6 glycosidic bonds

40
Q

Why does glycogen being highly branched a good thing

A

It allows the quick release of glucose from the ends of branches to be used in respiration

41
Q

What type of monomers is cellulose made up of, what type of structure does it have and what bonds does it have

A

cellulose is made up of beta monomers - straight chained - beta 1-4 and 1-6 glycosidic bonds

42
Q

Why is cellulose useful in plants

A

It is very useful in plant cell walls as it gives the cell wall rigidity, this is because cellulose makes the cell wall inelastic and have high tensile strength to keep the cell from bursting

43
Q

Explain the structure of cellulose and why its strong in plant cells

A

Beta monomers are joined together by glycosidic bonds, with each beta glucose molecule rotated 180° to each other. This forms straight chains that can be joined to other straight chains via hydrogen bonds in the OH group. Many straight chains joined together can make a strong microfibril which can form a strong cellulose bundle.

44
Q

What is the structure of chitin similar to and what differs

A

Chitin is similar to cellulose however some of the OH bonds are replaced with nitrogen

45
Q

What are the three main properties of chitin

A

Lightweight
Waterproof
very strong

46
Q

what are the two types of lipids

A

triglycerides and phospholipids

47
Q

What are the two main components that make up triglycerides

A

Glycerol and fatty acids

48
Q
A

Biology A-Level (1 decks)

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