Macromolecules Flashcards
Structure v.s Function
Structure: Appearance, composition, location (relative and absolute), ect.
Function: Process, what something does.
Monomers
Repeating subunits that covalently bond together to form polymers
Polymers
Long chains of monomers bonded together covalently
- These chains are formed and broken apart in reactions involving water
Dehydration synthesis
Removal of water to bond smaller molecules together into larger molecules
Hydrolysis
Addition of water to break apart large molecules into smaller molecules
Carbohydrates
A type of macromolecule used for short-term energy. They are between cells for communication.
Monosaccharides
A monomer of larger carbohydrates
ex. glucose, fructose, ribose
Disaccharides
Two monosaccharides bonded together
ex. sucrose, lactose
Oligosaccharides
3-10 monosaccharides bonded together
Polysaccharides
Thousands of monosaccharides bonded together
ex. cellulose, starch, chitin, glycogen
Lipids (Macromolecule)
Another type of macromolecule, used for long-term energy storage. Deals with hormones and cushion/insulation.
- Not true polymers
- All are hydrophobic
- Van der Waals forces keep the molecules together
- Triglycerides, phospholipids, and cholesterol
Cholesterol
Only found in animal cells (similar to a cell wall function in a plant). 4 rings and a carbon chain
Triglycerides
The fat that you eat and store in your body. 1 glycerol and 3 fatty acids.
Saturated v.s unsaturated fatty acids
Saturated fatty acids have chains of carbons and hydrogen in which each carbon is bonded to at least 2 hydrogens. Unsaturated fatty acids do not. There may be a double bond between carbons, but that means it does not have as many hydrogen atoms as possible in that chain.
Nucleic acids
Store, transmit, and help express hereditary information. Codes for and helps build polypeptide chain (proteins)
DNA
Deoxyribonucleic acid
RNA
Ribonucleic acid
Protein function
Structure (hair, skin, nails, feathers, horns, ect.), communication, movement, transport, catalyst (enzymes), defense (antibodies).
amino acids
Have a central C bonded to a carboxyl group, an amino group, a H atom, an R group (a variable group attached to the molecule)
Made up of C, H, N, O, and S atoms
Protein Conformation: Primary structure
Sequence of covalently bonded amino acids between carboxyl and amine groups that form polypeptide chains
- Bonds: covalent
Protein Conformation: Secondary structure
The folded regions of the polypeptide chain forming alpha helices and beta pleated sheets
- Bonds: hydrogen
Protein Conformation: Tertiary structure
The 3D shape formed when the whole polypeptide chain is bent and folded upon itself
- Due to hydrophobic regions and disulfide bonds (bonds specific to proteins)
- Bonds: Covalent, hydrogen, ionic, van der waals
Protein Conformation: Quaternary structure
Two or more polypeptide chains bound together to form large, complex protein.
- Not all proteins have quaternary structure
- Bonds: hydrogen, ionic, covalent/disulfide bridges, van der Waals
Catalyst
A substance that speeds up a reaction without permanently being changed by the reaction.
Enzymes
Biological catalysts that are highly specific to one reaction
- For our purposes, all are proteins
- Enzymes typically end in -ase
Substrate
The substance on which an enzyme acts
Active Site
The place on the enzyme in which the substrate(s) bond
- usually a hydrogen bond, an electrostatic attraction, or a temporary covalent bond
Coenzyme/Cofactor
A vitamin or metal ion that helps an enzyme function
Denature/Denaturation
When factors such as pH and temperature disrupt electrostatic attractions or bonds in the secondary or tertiary levels holding protein in its correct configuration
- May be permanent or temporary
How do environmental conditions affect chemical reaction rate and enzyme functions?
Chemical reaction rates are highly dependent on environmental conditions
- Enzymes are optimized to function in specific conditions, and extremes could cause them to denature (they are proteins too)
- Organisms maintain homeostasis to allow these enzymes to function properly so you can get the nutrients you need in time to keep you alive
How do enzymes work?
Enzymes are proteins that speed up reactions in living organisms, They bond to the substrate(s) and lower the activation energy by changing substrate orientation, stretching bonds, or creating a temporary charge change.
What is the structure of Triglycerides?
One glycerol bonded to three fatty acid chains
A DNA nucleotide containing adenine will hydrogen bond with a DNA nucleotide containing what? An RNA nucleotide?
DNA: Thymine
RNA: Uracil
The breakdown of ethanol into acetaldehyde is facilitated by alcohol dehydrogenase with Zinc ions. Identify each component in this scenario (Product, substrate, enzyme, cofactor)
Product: Acetaldehyde
Substrate: Ethanol
Enzyme: Alcohol dehydrogenase
Cofactor: Zinc Ions
Is Carbon Dioxide an organic molecule?
No, It does not contain carbon bonded to hydrogen
What are the monomers for nucleic acids?
Nucleotides
What are the elements found in carbohydrates? Lipids? Nucleic acids? Proteins?
Carbohydrates: Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen (CHO)
- 1:2:1 ratio
Lipids: Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen (CHO)
Nucleic acids: Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen, Phosphorus (CHONP)
Proteins: Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen, Sulfur (CHONS)
