Function and Structures of Biomolecules Flashcards
Explain the structures and functions of biomolecules, including: Carbohydrates Lipids Nucleic acids Proteins
What are the four main types of Biomolecules and the function of each of them?
Carbohydrates:
Energy Supply - Carbohydrates are the body’s primary source of energy
Structural support - Carbohydrates provide structural support in cells through structural polysaccharides like cellulose
Cell Recognition - Assists in cell recognition and communication
===============
Lipids:
Structural support - Creates a barrier for the cell
Energy storage - Fats stored in adipose tissue provides energy and insulation for the body
Homone production - Lipids are precursors for certain hormones
===============
Nucleic Acids - To store and transmit genetic information in the cell.
===============
Proteins:
Enzymes - Proteins act as enzymes that accelerate biochemical reactions in cells.
Structural - Proteins provide structural support to cells through keratin.
Transport - Proteins facilitate the transport of molecules.
What are the structures of the four main Biomolecules made out of?
Carbohydrates - simple sugars (monosaccharides)
Lipids - Glycerol and fatty acid
Nucleic acids - Nucleotides
Proteins - Amino acids
What are polymers made of?
Monomers - Building blocks of Polymers
What are carbohydrates made of?
Monosaccharides - Simple sugars (Fructose, Glucose, Galactose)
More information of Carbohydrates
General formula : Cm(H2O)n
All have (C=O) carbonyl and hydroxyl group (-OH)
How sugar molecules are linked:
- Glycosidic bonds link sugar molecules together
- Bridging of oxygen atoms form glycosidic bonds
Examples of Polysaccharides?
Starch
Cellulose
Glycogen
(All made from glucose units)
Examples of Disaccharides and what each are made out of?
Lactose - (Glucose + Galactose)
Sucrose - (Glucose + Fructose)
Maltose - (Glucose + Glucose)
What is the enzyme needed to breakdown Lactose molecules?
Lactase:
- Enzyme needed to hydrolyze lactose to glucose and galactose
Summary of Dehydration Synthesis and Hydrolysis
Dehydration synthesis - involves the removal of a water molecule as two monosaccharides combine to form a disaccharide or polysaccharide. (For example, Glucose + Fructose = Sucrose + H20)
Bond Formation: The removal of the water molecule allows the formation of a glycosidic bond between sugar molecules, forming a disaccharide or polysaccharide.
========================================================================
Hydrolysis - The addition of a water
molecule to break down a disaccharide or polysaccharide into monosaccharides. (For example, Sucrose + H20 = Glucose + Fructose)
Note: A water molecule is added to the glycosidic bond between sugar units, CLEAVING the bond. As a result, the larger sugar molecules are split into smaller monosaccharides.
Examples of complex carbohydrates and their function?
Storage Polysaccharides:
- Starch and Glycogen
Function: Energy Storage
Structural Polysaccharide:
- Cellulose
Function: Provide protective walls to cells
What are lipids?
Lipids include all biological compounds that are not soluble in water but are soluble in organic solvents.
Lipids distinct characteristic is their solubility behaviour
Soluble in non-polar solvents
- Saturated fats
- Unsaturated fats
- Amphiphilic
What is the difference between saturated fats and unsaturated fats?
Unsaturated fats have double carbon to carbon bonds in their fatty acid chains which saturated fats do not have
Saturated fats only have single carbon bonds in their fatty acid chains
What are the functions of Lipids?
Cell Membrane Structure support:
- Creates a lipid bilayer barrier for the cell
- Adipose tissue also serves as a protective padding and insulation for organs
====
Energy Storage:
- Fats stored in adipose tissue provide energy and insulation
- Fats is broken down in the body through oxidation, leading to energy release
====
Hormones and Vitamins:
- Precursors for certain hormones
- Help in absorption of fat soluble vitamins
Note: Adipose tissues = Fat tissues
What is the structure of a Lipid/Triglyceride
A glycerol molecule linked to 3 Fatty acid chains.
Features of a lipid
- Amphiphilic molecule (Hydrocarbon (CH) group; non-polar, carboxyl (COOH) group; polar
- Always contains a even number of carbon atoms
- Saturated: No double bonds
- Unsaturated: One or more double bonds
How are carbohydrates classified?
Classified based on:
- Size of base carbon chain
- Location of functional group
- Number of sugar units
- Stereochemistry
