Midterm Chapters:3,4,5,6 Flashcards
Explain why carbon is unparalleled in its ability to form large, diverse molecules.
It has 4 valence electrons so it can make 4 bonds
Organic Compouds
A chemical bond containing carbon and usually carbon
hydrocarbons
An organic compound only composed of hydrogen and carbon. The major components of petroleum and natural gas
carbon skeleton
The chain of carbon atoms that forms the structural backbone of an organic molecule.
isomer
Organic compounds with the same molecular formula but different structures, and therefore different properties.
macromolecule
A giant molecule formed by the joining of small molecules; usually by a dehydration reaction.
List the four main classes of macromolecules
Carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids, proteins
Explain the relationship between monomers and polymers
Monomers make up polymers which are many identical or similar building blocks strung together.
Compare the processes of dehydration synthesis and hydrolysis
Dehydration synthesis is a chemical reaction in which 2 molecules become bonded together with the removal of a water molecule and hydrolysis breaks those bonds apart by the addition of water.
List the elements that make up carbohydrates
Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen
Explain the relationship among monosaccharides, disaccharides and polysaccharides
Monosaccharides are just a simple sugar, disaccharides are two monosaccharides bonded together with the removal of water, and finally polysaccharides are a group of monosaccharides found in nature.
List other examples of monosaccharides
fructose, glucose, and galactose
List several examples of disaccharides
Lactose, fructose, maltose
Explain how disaccharides are formed (dehydration reaction) and broken down (hydrolysis).
One monomer gives up a hydroxyl group and the other gives up a hydrogen atom from a hydroxyl group. As H2O is released, an oxygen atom is left, linking two monomers. A disaccharide is broken down by the addition of a water molecule which splits up and a hydroxyl group goes to one monosaccharide and the hydrogen atom goes to the other monosaccharide.
List several examples of polysaccharides
chitin, starch, glycogen, cellulose
What is the function of starch
Turn into glucose and be stored for energy
What is the function of cellulose
the most abundant organic compound on earth. Cellulose is a major component of tough cell walls that surround plant cells, and is what makes plant stems, leaves, and branches so strong.
What is the function of glycogen
made and stored primarily in the cells of the liver and the muscles hydrated with three or four parts of water. Glycogen functions as the secondary long-term energy storage, with the primary energy stores being fats held in adipose tissue
Explain how polysaccharides are formed (dehydration reaction) and broken down (hydrolysis
After disaccharides are created, another reaction can undergo to form a polysaccharide.
List the elements that make up lipids
Carbon, Hydrogen, and Oxygen
Explain the basic nature of all lipids.
they all contain nitrogen, they are all acidic when mixed with water, they are all made of fatty acids and glycerol, none of them dissolves in water, they do not have a high-energy content
Outline the general characteristics of fats and oils
hydrophobic, they all contain nitrogen, they are all made of fatty acids and glycerol, none of them dissolves in water, they do not have a high-energy content
Outline the importance of fats and oils to organisms
provide flavor, cushion the organs
Compare and contrast saturated and unsaturated fats/ fatty acids
Unsaturated fats are bent in the spine resulting in them being less dense and less compact, it can be in a liquid form. This is caused by the double bond of carbons and the bend is when the fatty acid is a cis which means the hydrogens are next to each other and repel. Trans fatty acids cause a slight bend, which is when the hydrogens are on different sides. Saturated fats are straight in the spine meaning that they can become compact and dense which means that typically it is solid. Also, unsaturated fats are healthier than saturated fats.
Outline the function/ importance of steroids
Steroids can impact a number of things from your growth to sexual development. They also regulate metabolism, immune response, reproduction and other essential biological processes.
Describe hydrophobic and hydrophilic properties of phospholipids
hydrophobic phospholipids are water fearing meaning that they don’t mix with water. They are found on the interior of proteins. Hydrophilic phospholipids are capable of hydrogen bonding, attracted to water, and are found on the exterior of molecules
Outline the functions of proteins in organisms
Some functions are their duty as enzymes which catalyze chemical reactions, necessary in animal diets since they cant synthesize all the amino acids they need, and finally many proteins are involved in the process of cell signaling and signal transduction.
List the essential elements that make up proteins
Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, and Nitrogen
Name the monomer of proteins
Amino Acids
Outline the importance of amino acid side chains/ R groups
The specific composition and structure of the R group determines the specific properties of each of the 20 amino acids that are found in proteins.
Outline the chemical nature of different amino acids
They have different functions
Describe peptide bond dehydration reactions and hydrolysis reactions
Cells join amino acids together in a dehydration reaction that links the carboxyl group of one amino acid to the amino group of the next amino acid as a water molecule is removed…the resulting covalent linkage is called a peptide bond.
Explain the importance of a protein’s shape to its function
Shape determines its function
denaturation
A process in which a protein unravels, losing its specific structure and hence function; can be caused by changes in pH or salt concentration or by high temp. also refers to the separation of two strands of the DNA double helix, caused by similar factors
What is an example of an isomer
Glucose and fructose
Explain the consequence of denaturation to the function of proteins
Polypeptide chains unravel, losing their specific shape, and as a result, lose their function also.
Outline the four levels of protein structure
Primary structure, secondary structure, tertiary structure, and quaternary structure
Describe how the “rules” of protein structure determine a protein’s final shape
If the protein folds incorrectly, many diseases can be caused such as alzheimers and parkinson. A proteins unique three dimensional shape determines its proper function.
Explain the importance of primary structure to all further levels
Even a slight change in primary structure may affect a proteins overall shape and thus its ability to function. For example, a single amino acid change in hemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying blood protein causes sickle-cell disease, a serious blood disorder.
What is a peptide bond
The covalent bond between two amino acid units in a polypeptide formed by a dehydration reaction.
What are the simplest carbohydrates
monosaccharides
What are examples of hydrocarbon fuels
Methane and Propane