Macromolecules Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
1
Q

Macromolecules (Biological Molecules)

A

4 organic (carbon-based) compounds are the building blocks of all living things:
- carbohydrates
- lipids
- proteins
- nucleic acids

Functions:
- energy storage
- insulation
- growth
- repair
- communication
- transfer of hereditary information

Bigger molecule = more carbon bonds = more energy

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Another name for macromolecules

A

Polymers - large molecules

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What are polymers composed of?

A

Subunits called monomers

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

How are polymers joined?

A

Through an enzymatic reaction, where a water molecule is removed

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Carbohydrates

A

(CH2O)n [n=# of carbon atoms]
- short and long term energy storage
- energy extracted through CELLULAR RESPIRATION

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Monosaccharides

A

Simple Sugars: ring molecule with 3-7 C atoms
- in the foods we eat

  • each containing 6 carbons are isomers
    C6H12O6
    Glucose, Galactose, Fructose
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Alpha Glucose

A

Link to form glycogen and starch
OH at positions 1 and 4 are in the same position

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Beta Glucose

A

Link to form cellulose
OH at positions 1 and 4 on opposite sides

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Disaccharides

A

Double Sugars: 2 monsaccharides bonded together

C12H22O11 (CnH2On - H2O)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

How are disaccharides formed?
What bond is formed?

A

Through a dehydration reaction
Glycosidic bond

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Sucrose

A

In foods

Glucose + Fructose

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Lactose

A

Dairy

Beta Galactose + Glucose = Alpha Lactose
Beta (1-4) glycosidic bond

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Maltose

A

Starch

Glucose + Glucose

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Lipids

A
  • LONG TERM energy storage
  • cushioning of organs (shock absorber)
  • chemical messengers (HORMONES)
  • insulation
  • 1g lipid stores 2.25x more energy than 1g carbohydrates
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Lipid polarity

A

Nonpolar - insoluble in polar solvent - hydrophobic

Cannot form H bonds with water

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Triglyceride

A

Glycerol + 3 fatty acids
Function: energy

Ex. fats (butter)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Fats

A

Triglyceries made through an esterification reaction

18
Q

Saturated fats

A
  • contain the maximum number of C-H bonds
  • solid at room temperature (i.e. animals fats, butter)
  • RICHER ENERGY source
19
Q

Unsaturated fats

A
  • do not have the maximum number of C-H bonds (C=C)
  • lower mp and bp
  • liquids at room temperature (i.e. plant oil)
20
Q

Phospholipids

A

Phosphate, fatty acids, phosphorilated alcohol
Function: (selective) barrier

Ex. cell membrane

21
Q

Steroids

A

Ring structures
Function: hormones (messangers)

Ex. testosterone, estrogen, cholesterol

22
Q

Terpenes

A

Amphiphilic
Function: pigment

Ex. chlorophyll

23
Q

Waxes

A

Esters of fatty acids with long-chain alcohols
Function: protective and structural functions in plants and animals

Ex. beeswax

24
Q

Nucleic Acids

A
  • RNA [cope of DNA used to make proteins] and DNA (heredity)
  • ATP (energy)
  • NAD and FAD (electron carriers)
25
Q

Monomer of nucleic acids

A

Nucleotide: sugar (pentose), phosphate, nitrogenous base

26
Q

Proteins

A
  • make up many cell structures
  • numerous combinations = functional complexity
  • delicate, can lose funtion if denatured (extreme pH or temp. or exposure to chemicals that nravel its structure)
27
Q

Protein Polarity

A

If quarternary structure has polar groups facing outwards = soluble in water

If polar groups face inwards = does not dissolve in water

28
Q

Protein Functions

A
  1. Enzymes
  2. Important structural components of living protoplasm (i.e. membranes, chromosomes)
  3. Hormones (chemical messengers)
  4. Plasma proteins in blood (clotting, fluid regulation buffer, antibodies
  5. Transport of oxygen as hemoglobin
  6. Contractile proteins in muscles
  7. Extracellular proteins provide support (i.e. cartilage, bone tendons, ligaments)
  8. Source of energy
29
Q

Monomer of Proteins

A

Amino acids

30
Q

Types of amino acids

A

20 types:
- 8 essential (not made in the body)
- 12 can be made in the body with the 8 essential amino acids

All organisms have the same amino acids, but different organization of proteins

R-group determmined the identity and unique chemical properties

31
Q

How are proteins formed?
What bond is formed?

A

Through a dehydration reaction
Peptide bond

32
Q

Protein Folding

A

4 Levels
Distinguished by degree of complexity in the polypetide chain

33
Q

Primary Level

A
  • sequence of amino acids (chain >50) makes up a specific protein polypetide chain
  • determines ultimate shape or conformation
  • peptode linkage of amino group (NH2) one amino acid + acid group (COOH) of next amino acid
34
Q

Secondary Level

A
  • regular localised folding patterns of the polypeptide chain
  • forms alphahelix (extended outside) or beta sheets (antiparallel)
  • chain interacts with neighbours through H-bonding between C=O and NH2 (5 amino acid units aparts)
35
Q

Tertiary

A
  • local 3D shape
  • formed from interactions between various R-groups of amino acids
  • folding of the coils or sheets
  • hydrophilic and hydrophobic R groups
  • H-bonding between distant amino acids
  • disulphide bridges
  • prosthetic groups
36
Q

Quarternary

A
  • assembly of 2+ folded chains associating to from a functional unit
  • hed together by weak forces
  • hydrophobic interactions
  • H-bonding
  • R group interaction
  • Van Der Waal’s forces
37
Q

Acids

A

Proton Donors
- soluble in watr
- good conductors
- litmus (turns red)
- phenolphthalein (colourless)

pH < 7 (low pH)

Ex.
organic - CH3COOH
inorganic - H2SO4, HCl

38
Q

Bases

A

Proton Acceptors
- soluble in water
- good conductors
- litmus (turns blue)

pH > 7 (high pH)

Ex.
organic - amine (NH2)
inorganic - NaOH, NH3

39
Q

Neutralization

A

acid + base = salt + water
(incomplete)

EX. NH2 + COOH-R = NH3 + COO(-)-R

40
Q

Redox

A

Electron transfer reactions

EX. Fe + CuSO4 = FeSO4 + Cu
(e- are lost and gained)

41
Q

Hydrolysis (hydration)

A

A water molecule is added

EX. dipeptide + H2O = 2 amino acids

42
Q

Dehydration/condensation

A

A water molecule is removed

EX. esterification
3 fatty acids + glycerol = triglyceride + 3(H2O)