Lecture 3 - Building blocks of cells Flashcards
What are the 4 higher order structures biological molecules can be organised into?
Building blocks, macromolecules, supramolecular assemblies and organelles
Nucleus, mitochondria, Golgi and ER are all examples of which higher order structure?
Organelles
Membranes, ribosomes and chromatin are all examples of which higher order structure?
Supramolecular assemblies
Proteins, DNA, RNA, Complex carbohydrates and lipids are all examples of which higher order structure?
Macromolecules
Amino acids, nucleobases, simple carbohydrates are all examples of which higher order structure?
Building blocks
What are the four ‘levels’ of carbohydrates?
Monosaccharides, Disaccharides, Oligosaccharides and Polysaccharides
What are monosaccharides?
The single unit building blocks of carbohydrates
What are three hexose monosaccharides?
Glucose, fructose and galatose
What are two pentose monosaccharides?
Deoxyribose and ribose
What are disaccharides?
Two monosaccharides joined together
What are three disaccharides?
Sucrose (Glucose + Fructose), Lactose (Galactose + Glucose) and Maltose (Glucose + Glucose)
What are oligosaccharides?
Several monosaccharides linked together (approx 3-10)
What are polysaccharides?
Many monosaccharides linked together (10+)
What are three functions of carbohydrates?
Recognition, energy, structure
What are carbohydrates constructed of?
Polysaccharide polymers
What are nucleotide made of? (3 components)
Phosphate group, ribose sugar and base
What are nucleic acids?
Informational molecules; DNA and RNA
What are the common bases? (5)
Thymine: T
Adenine: A
Cytosine: C
Guanine: G
Uracil: U
What are nucleic acids polymers of?
Nucleotides
What are the differences in structure of RNA and DNA?
DNA - double stranded, sugar is deoxyribose, bases ATCG
RNA - single stranded, sugar is ribose, bases AUCG
How many amino acids are there?
20
How do amino acids differ?
Their side R group (side chain)
What are proteins polymers of?
Amino acids
What are proteins?
Molecules by which cells perform their functions in the whole organism