Module 4.1 Intro to Biomolecules Flashcards
Biomolecules and macromolecules are
found in or derived from living organisms.
Biomolecules or Macromolecules are a subset of
organic molecules
The four biomolecules are
Carbs, Lipids (fats), Proteins (amino acids), and nucleic acids
From bio—
life and molecules = molecules of life
From macro—
big and molecules = big molecules
What are organic molecules?
Molecules that are found in or derived from living organisms.
What elements do organic molecules contain?
Carbon and hydrogen in rings or chains.
Is CO2 an organic molecule?
No.
Define biomolecules.
Molecules of life or macromolecules found in or produced by living organisms.
What is the significance of carbon in organic molecules?
Carbon has 4 valence electrons, allows for 4 covalent bonds, and can form linear or ring structures.
What is a carbon skeleton?
Carbon skeleton is the backbone of an organic molecule. It’s the structure formed by carbon atoms in a molecule.
What are functional groups?
Groups of molecules attached to the carbon skeleton that affect a molecule’s function.
Functional groups are
Different molecular groups that have a function
Functional groups affect
a molecule’s function by participating in chemical reactions in characteristic ways
Whatever is hooked on a molecule determine
an organic molecule’s unique chemical properties
List the 6 major functional groups.
- Hydroxyl
- Carbonyl
- Carboxyl
- Amino
- Phosphate
- Sulfhydryl
What is the hydroxyl group?
A functional group –O-H.
Most hydroxyl groups are
polar and form hydrogen bonds.
What does the name hydroxyl mean?
Hydro, the first part of hydrogen and Oxy, the first part of oxygen
Hydroxyl (–O-H) is an
alcohol
What is a carboxyl group and what characteristics does it have?
A functional group COOH that is polar and acidic.
The two types of carbonyl groups
aldehydes and ketones
What are aldehydes and ketones?
Carbonyl groups with C=O (double bonded O attached to the carbon);
The difference between aldehydes and ketones is where the
double bonded O is attached
Aldehydes are where in a molecule?
at the end of a molecule,
Ketones are where in a molecule?
are in the middle.
Carboxyl groups have a
Hydroxyl group –OH and and carbonyl group =O off the carbon. Also COOH
Carboxyl groups are polar or nonpolar?
Polar. They like to form hydrogen bonds and make connections with other molecules
What type of acids are carboxylic acids?
They are acidic and can lose a proton from the carboxyl group.
Most biologic acids (such as citric acid) are
carboxylic acids
What is an amino group?
A functional group -N or –NH2 that is polar, basic, and contains nitrogen.
Amino groups are called
amines
Most basic biomolecules are made with
amines
Amino groups will form
hydrogen bonds
Amino groups are the only group that contains
nitrogen
What are phosphates?
Functional groups –OPO3-2 that are polar, acidic, and found in nucleic acids DNA and RNA as well as energy molecules ATP and ADP.
Phosphate groups do not form
hydrogen bonds with each other
What is a sulfhydryl group?
A functional group –S-H that is polar and basic.
Sulfhydryl Group
found in cysteine an amino acid used to make protein
Sulfhydryl Groups are called
thiois
You find Sulfhydryl Group in
human perpetration or skunk spray
How do two sulfhydryl groups interact?
They can form a covalent bond, such as a disulfide bridge in proteins.
Biomolecules are made of
smaller molecules put together to make larger molecules
What are monomers?
Smaller molecules that make up biomolecules (like beads on a necklace).
What are polymers?
Large molecules made of many monomers strung together (the necklace).
Complete the following: A carbohydrate is made of _______.
Monosaccharides.
Complete the following: A protein is made of _______.
Amino acids.
Complete the following: A nucleic acid is made of _______.
Nucleotides.
Lipids are not made from any
monomers
The word dehydration tells us
what the reaction is
Dehydration build
polymers. They build bigger things
What is the dehydration reaction?
A reaction that removes water to string monomers together.
When you have a dehydration reaction and remove a water, you create a
bond. It creates something bigger
In our body, the dehydration process can build
proteins, carbs, fats, and nucleic acids and so forth.
What happens during the dehydration of sugar with sulfuric acid?
Water is removed, leaving elemental carbon.
What is hydrolysis?
Using water to break apart polymers into monomers.
The hydrolysis reaction breaks down
the polymer. It breaks down bigger things
What is the role of biomolecules in the body?
They are the most plentiful molecules after water.
