Introduction To Biological Molecules Flashcards
What makes up an atom ?
Neutrons
Electrons
Protons
How are Ionic Bonds formed ?
Formed by the loss/gain of an electron
What is an ionic bond ?
The electrostatic force of attraction between positive and negative ions.
What is a key feature of ionic bonds ?
They are soluble in water.
How are covalent bonds formed ?
Formed due to sharing of electrons
What is a covalent bond ?
A covalent bond is the electrostatic force of attraction between 2+ molecules for the shared pair of electrons.
Which is stronger covalent bond or ionic bond (in biology)?
Covalent bonds
How are the electrons shared in a polar bond ?
They are not shared equally
Intermolecular forces
Intermolecular forces are forces that exist between molecules.
Intramolecular forces
Intramolecular forces are the forces that hold atoms together within a molecule.
What are different types of interactions between R groups ?
Ionic Bonds
Hydrogen Bonds
Hydrophobic interactions
Disulphide bridges
London Dispersion forces
What is the general formula of a Sugar ?
(CH2O)n
What is the function of sugars ?
They are a source of energy for a cell
Name some examples of sugars (3)
Glucose
Fructose
Galactose
What are carbohydrates ?
Sugar molecules can be joined together to make a carbohydrate.
Features of fatty acids (2)
Can be saturated or unsaturated
Can be both hydrophilic and hydrophobic
What can fatty acids be stored as ?
Triacyl-glycerols (for energy reserve)
Structure of fatty acids
Hydrophilic head
2 Hydrophobic fatty acid tails
What is the hydrophilic head made up of ?
A polar group
A phosphate
A glycerol
What are Steroids made up of ?
4 Fused carbon rings
With functional groups attached
Name the 5 classes of Biomolecules
Sugar (Carbohydrates)
Fatty Acids
Amino Acids
Steroids
Nucleotides
Give 2 examples of steroids
Testosterone
Cholesterol
Structure of an amino acid
Amino acids have a CENTRAL carbon, with 4 bonded groups :
- NH2 (Amine group) or NH3+
- COOH (Carboxyl group) or COO-
- H (A hydrogen atom)
- R (A variable R group)
How are amino acids joined together ?
Amino acids are joined together via a peptide bond, by a CONDENSATION POLYMERISATION reaction.
How are amino acids classified ?
By the different side chains.
What are the 4 classes of amino acids ?
Acidic (COO-)
Basic (NH3+)
Polar (slight charge -OH)
Hydrophobic (no charge -CH3 or carbon ring)
Uses of amino acids (3)
Sources of energy
Neurotransmitters
Precursors for other molecules
What is the structure of a nucleotide ?
A nitrogen ring linked to a 5 carbon sugar.
Sugar can be ribose or deoxyribose.
Functions of nucleotides
Short term energy store (ATP & GTP)
Store of electrons
Cofactors for enzymes
Signalling molecules
Building blocks for nucleic acid (DNA/RNA)
Cofactor
Non-protein component required for biological activity
What can biomolecules be ?
Hybrids
Function of glycoproteins
Glycoproteins often identify and bind to receptors on a host cell. Critical for establishing an infection.
What are viruses coated in ?
Glycoproteins
