Molecular Composition Flashcards
What elements make up 99% of the weight of all living matter
CHNOPS
Most important organic molecules
-Carbohydrates (consist of sugar chains)
-lipids (fatty acids)
-proteins (composed of amino acids)
-nucleic acids (DNA and RNA)
Contain C and H
Proteins gave N and S
Carbohydrates
Monosaccharides
Disaccharides
Polysaccharides
1-glucose, fructose, ribose
-consist of a single sugar subunit
-building blocks, primary sources of energy
2-sucrose, maltose, lactose
-consist of two sugar subunits linked covalently
-energy transfer, transport
Many-cellulose (glycogen, chitin) and starch
-many sugar subunits linked together covalently
-storage, structure
Monosaccharides in a formula
(CH20)n
n can be as small as 3 or as large as 7
Proportions gave rise to the term carbohydrate meaning carbon with water added.
What group do monosaccharides have
Carbonyl group because as ring is formed, carbonyl is turned to a hydroxyl group
Sugars are often transported in plants and other organisms as ____
Disaccharides
Specifically sucrose made from glucose and fructose is the form in which sugar is transported in most plants
Dehydration synthesis/ condensation reaction
Synthesis of a disaccharide from two monosaccharide molecules in which a water molecule is removed and a new bond is formed between the two monosaccharides
Requires energy input
Hydrolysis
Reverse condensation reaction in which water is added and the molecules are split.
Energy yielding
Starch
Primary storage polysaccharide in plants consisting of chains of glucose molecules.
Two forms of starch:
-amylose: unbranched molecule
-amylopectin: branched molecule
Glycogen
Most coming storage polysaccharide in prokaryotes, fungi and animals made up of chains of glucose molecules. Resembles amylopectin but it more branches
What must happen to polysaccharides to be used as energy sources and transported through living systems?
Hydrolysis to monosaccharides and disaccharides
Plants break down starch reserves when needing to grow and develop
Cellulose
What can hydrolysis cellulose?
A polymer composed of monomers of glucose.
Only some microorganisms, certain prokaryotes, protozoa, fungi and few animals (who have these microorganisms in their stomachs aka cows)
Difference in starch, glycogen and cellulose structure
Starch and glycogen are made up entirely of alpha-glucose subunits
Cellulose entirely of beta-glucose subunits. Makes cellulose impervious to enzymes to break down starch and glycogen. Once in plant cell wall, no longer useable by the plant as energy source.
Chitin
Structural polysaccharide and principal component of fungal cell walls/ hard outer exoskeleton of insects and crustaceans
Cutin and suberin
Lipids in plant cell walls that form a matrix in which waxes are embedded. The waxes and lipids form a barrier to prevent water/ molecule loss
Epicuticular wax
The covering over the cuticle of plants
-wax off apples
-cuticular wax is made from cutin
Suberin is a major component of the walls of _____ cells
Cork
Form outermost layer of bark of woody stems and roots
Alternating light and dark layered band appearance
Steroids function in plants
-sterols make cell membranes to stabilize phospholipid tails
-hormones (some plants make estrogen)
How do plants use proteins
In seeds, 40% of dry weight of seeds is protein. Function as storage of amino acids to be used by embryo when it resumes growth upon germination of the seed.
What are nucleotides made up of
Phosphate group, 5 carbon sugar and a nitrogenous base
Sugar can be ribose or deoxyribose
Nitrogenous base can be adenine, cysteine, guanine, thiamine and uracil
Principal energy carrier for life
Adenosine Triphosphate
-3 phosphates bonds are weak and can be broken up for energy release
Primary and secondary metabolites
Molecules that are found in all plant cells and are excess age for the life of the plant-sugars, amino acids, proteins and nuclei acids
Restricted in their distribution, both within the plant and along the different species of plants-chemical signals, defence, pathogens, protection from radiation of sun, aid in pollen and seed dispersal. Stored in vacuoles normally.
Phytoalexins
Antimicrobial compounds produced only after wounding or after attack by bacteria or fungi
3 major types of secondary plant compounds
Alkaloids- pharmalogical or medicinal affects: morphine, caffeine, nicotine, cocaine, atropine (eye dilation)
Terpenoids- in all plants, composed of isoprenes (gas emitted in significant quantities by leaves especially in heat): essential oils, taxol (anti cancer), rubber, cardiac glycosides (heart attack, in milk weed to protect caterpillars/butterflies)
Phenolics- in all plant parts in all plants; flavonoids(can inhibit genetic response, protect from UV), tannins (bitter repellant) , lignins (in cell wall, strength and water proof) and salicylic acid (aspirin, esssential in SAR)
