module 1 -biological molecules Flashcards
what are biological molecules?
they are molecules that are made and used by living organisms eg proteins,lipids,DNA
what are monosaccharides?
they are the building blocks for carbohydrates, they cannot be hydrolysed into smaller carbs as they re the simplest form of them
what are the functions of carbohydrates?
they are used as an energy source( glucose in respiration)
as an energy store ( glycogen in animals)
and they can also be used for structure in plant cell walls.
give an example of monosaccharides?
glucose (alpha and beta)
what is the formula for monosaccharides?
the formula is C^6 H^12 O^6
what is the difference between alpha and beta glucose?
in the structure, they differ in position of their -OH groups on carbon 1
- alpha glucose has a OH group on the bottom and beta glucose has it on the top ( above the ring)
how are monosaccharides joined together?
with a condensation reaction ( removing water )
what are 3 properties that monosaccharides have?
they are soluble in water
they form crystals
they taste sweet
how are disaccharides formed?
when 2 monosaccharides bond together during a condensation reaction.
give an example of a disaccharides?
glucose + glucose = maltose
what is the formula for disaccharides?
C^12H^22O^11
how are polymers seperated?
through hydrolysis, this is the chemical breakdown of a compound due to a reaction with water.
what is a polysaccharide?
they are just carbohydrates made up of many monosaccharides joined together by condensation reactions
name 3 important polysaccharides?
starch
glycogen
cellulose
what is structure of glycogen?
straight chain of alpha glucose with side branches
what are the properties of starch and glycogen?
-they are insoluble, do not affect water potential of the cell
-coiled so they can fit more into a cell and this is ideal for energy storage.
-they are branched, which helps with stored glucose being released very quickly.
where can glycogen be stored?
in the liver or the skeletal muscles
what is glycogenolysis?
it is the breakdown of glycogen.
what is the test for starch?
add iodine to the thing you are testing, if it turns blue or black it contains starch
what is the test for reducing sugar?
benedict’s test, use benedict’s reagent on heating for a few minutes, if it turns brick red/brown a reducing sugar is present.
what is the test for non reducing sugar?
heat with benedict’s, there will then be no change, so then you add dilute hydrochloric acid and then also add sodium Hydrocarbonate to neutralise this. heat this test sample again and it should tern a brick red.
what are 2 types of proteins?
globular and fibrous
what are globular proteins?
soluble proteins with a specific 3D shape eg enzymes, hormones
what are fibrous proteins?
strong/insoluble/inflexible material eg collagen