Metabolism 1 Flashcards
Macromolecules
-large molecules built from smaller organic molecules
4 main macromolecules
-carbohydrates
-proteins
-lipids
-nucleic acids
Which macromolecule polymer(s) are broken down through hydrolysis?
-carbohydrates
-proteins
-nucleic acids
Which macromolecule polymer(s) are broken down through lipolysis?
-lipids
Carbohydrates are used as…
fuel sources or converted to other organic molecules
Monosaccharides
-glucose, fructose, galactose
-C(6)H(12)O(6)
-readily absorbed by the small intestines
Disaccharides
-sucrose (glucose-fructose)
-lactose (glucose-galactose)
-maltose (glucose-glucose)
Common polysaccharides
-starch, glycogen, cellulose, chitin
Starch (types, explain)
-storage form of carbohydrates in plants
-amylose (straight, slow to breakdown)
-amylopectin (branched, fast to breakdown)
Glycogen
-storage form of carbohydrates within animals
-highly branched (fast to breakdown)
-converted to glucose in glycogenesis
cellulose
-most abundant naturally occurring polysaccharide
-found in plant walls
-very hard to break down (long, straight)
Some functions of proteins
-catalyzing chemical rxns
-synthesizing and repairing DNA
-transporting material across cell
-receiving and sending chemical signals (hormones)
-respond to stimuli
-provide structural support
How many different amino acids are there?
20
How is the function of each protein determined?
The shape of each protein (number and order of amino acids in polypeptide chain)
Enzymes
-proteins that catalyze biochemical reactions (speed up)
-essential for digestion and cellular metabolism
Anabolic enzymes
-build more complex molecules from their substrates
Catabolic enzymes
-break down their substrate (digestion)
Amylase
-digestion of carbohydrates
-in mouth and SI
Pepsin
-digestion of protein
-in the stomach
Lipase
-emulsify fats
-SI
Trypsin
-further digestion of protein
-SI
Hormones
-proteins secreted by endocrine cells
-control or regulate physiological processes
-growth, development, metabolism, reproduction
Insulin
-protein hormone
-helps regulate blood glucose levels
Receptor proteins
-detect the concentrations of chemicals and send signals to respond
Examples of lipid steroids (not protein)
-estrogen
-testosterone
Lipids
-fats/oils/waxes in our bodies
-mainly made from carbon, hydrogen, oxygen
-majority are non-polar (do not dissolve in water)
Do lipids dissolve and travel through blood?
No, blood is 90% water (polar) instead they are transported via lipoproteins
What are lipids mainly used for?
-energy storage and structure
What are the three main types of lipids?
-fats
-phospholipids
-steroids
What are fats constructed of?
-a single glycerol molecule
-three fatty acids
Explain the structure of saturated fatty acids
-maximal # of hydrogen
-no double bonds
-tend to form solids at room temp
Explain the structure of unsaturated fatty acids
-one or more double bonds
-tend to form liquids at room temp
Explain the structure of phospholipids
-fatty acid chain with glycerol backbone
-two fatty acids and a phosphate group (as opposed to three FA)
What makes phospholipids so unique and vital to their function?
-head is polar and negatively charged (hydrophilic = “water loving”)
-tail is uncharged and non-polar (hydrophobic = “water fearing”)
Attributes of phospholipid bilayer
-only lipophilic solutes can easily pass through
-two distinct aqueous compartments on each side of the membrane
Steroids
-fused, four linked carbon rings
-hydrophobic (insoluble in water)
-role in reproduction, absorption, metabolism regulation, brain activity
Cholesterol
-most common steroid
-synthesized in liver
-precursor molecule, aids in synthesizing, metabolism
Functions of cholesterol
-precursor to Vitamin D, estrogen, testosterone, progesterone
-synthesize aldosterone
-aids in formation of cortisol
Types of nucleic acids
-deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)… genetic material
-ribonucleic acid (RNA)… protein synthesis
