Macromolecules & Enzymes Flashcards
What are the four macromolecules?
Carbohydrates, lipids, proteins & nucleic acids
What is a monomer?
The “building block” of a macromolecule
What is the monomer(s) for carbohydrates?
Monosaccharides
What is the function(s) of carbohydrates?
Providing energy & structure
What elements are in carbohydrates?
CHO (Carbon, hydrogen & oxygen)
What is the monomer(s) for lipids?
Fatty acids & glycogen
What is the function(s) of lipids?
Energy storage & insulation
What elements are in lipids?
CHO (Carbon, hydrogen & oxygen)
What is the monomer for protein(s)?
Amino acids
What is the function(s) of proteins
- Enzymes
- Hormones
- Transport
- Antibodies
- Structural
- Carrier
- Last resort energy
What elements are in proteins?
CHON (Carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen)
What is the monomer(s) for nucleic acids?
Nucleotides
What elements are in nucleic acids?
CHONP (Carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorous)
What is the function(s) of nucleic acid?
Makes up DNA & RNA which codes for our traits & proteins
What are the two other key components of chemical reactions in our body?
Vitamins & minerals
What is the function(s) of vitamins?
Helps enzymes function
What is the function(s) of minerals?
Make up essential components of hemoglobin, hormones, enzymes & vitamins
What type of compounds are vitamins?
Organic compounds (carbon based)
What types of compounds are minerals?
Inorganic compounds
How do animal lipids work?
Animal lipids have saturated fatty acids, and no double bonds (solid like butter)
How do plant lipids work?
Plant lipids have unsaturated with many double bonds (liquid like olive oil)
What are enzymes?
Biological catalysts
How do enzymes work?
A substrate attaches to an active site in order to increase reaction rates by reducing the amount of energy required to start a reaction
How many times can enzymes be reused?
They are free to be reused until all of the substrate is gone
What is a substrate?
A substrate (lock) is the part of the enzyme that binds to the active site (key) by having a specific shape that fits perfectly with the active site
What is an active site?
A region of active protein in the enzyme that needs a substrate to combine with it in order to increase the reaction rate of a chemical reaction
What factors affect enzymes?
- Temperature
- pH
- Competitive inhibitors
- Non-competitive inhibitors
- Co-factors
- Co-enzymes
How does temperature affect enzymes?
Temperature can cause an enzyme to be denatured (temporary change in shape) or coagulated (permanent change in shape) These things are negative to the enzyme and cause it to be shriveled with less activity in the site
How does pH affect enzymes?
pH levels can either be too basic or too acidic for a specific enzymes functionality
How do competitive inhibitors affect enzymes?
Competitive inhibitors keep the enzyme from working by blocking the active site
How do non-competitive inhibitors affect enzymes?
These change the shape of the enzyme, and as a result the substrate (key) no longer fits in the active site (lock)
How do co-factors affect enzymes?
These are inorganic ions that help an enzyme combine with a substrate
How do co-enzymes affect enzymes?
These are organic molecules that also help enzymes combine with a substrate
What is negative feedback in the regulation of enzyme activity called?
Allosteric. This means that it gives negative feedback to the stimulus
What is positive feedback in the regulation of enzyme activity called?
Precursor. This starts a process and enhances the original stimulus, giving positive feedback
What test is used to indicate the prescense of a simple carbohydrate/
Benedict
What test is used to indicate the presence of a complex carbohydrate?
Iodine
What test is used to indicate the presence of protein?
Biruet
What tests are used to indicate the presence of lipids?
Sudan IV & the translucency test
