Introduction to biomolecules Flashcards
Which bond is soluble in water?
Ionic bonds
Why is maintaining ion concentrations is critical?
Because if not, cells can be diluted (causing swolleness and rupture) or concentrated (shrunken)
What is the general structure of sugars?
(CH2O)n
What is the outcome of joining sugars together? or stored?
Carbohydrates, oligosaccharides or polysaccharides
What is the difference between saturated and unsaturated fatty acids?
Unsaturated have one or more double bonds in their hydrocarbon tail
Saturated have no double bonds
How are fatty acids stored?
As triacylglycerol or triglycerides
What is the essential feature of steroids?
Four fused carbon rings. Examples are cholesterol or testosterone
How can amino acids be polymerized?
Via peptide bond
Describe an amino acid
Amino group linked to a carboxyl group and hydrogen
What are the uses of amino acids?
Sources of energy
Neurotransmitters
Precursors for other molecules link glycine is a precursor for porphyrin ring
