Molecules

Question 1

what are the major elements used to construct human biomolecules

Answer 1

• organic basic elements
  H, C, N, O

99% of our bodies is made up of this, C is the most versatile,

• Elements needed in large amounts ( for protein )
  Na, Mg, K, Ca, P, S, Cl
• Trace elements required in small amounts
  Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Mo, Se, I

we get these elements from our diet

Question 2

what is a function group?

Answer 2

a functional group is a group of elements that are attached to carbon structures and confer specific chemical properties.

some include
- amino
- carboxyl
- hydroxyl
- phosphate

Question 3

what is the 2 types of configurations

Answer 3

configurations are the fixed arrangement of atoms in a molecule

two configurations, - cis, - trans

trans molecules take more energy to create as two c-c bonds must be broken

Question 4

3D structure of configuration

Answer 4

carbon molecules can be symmetrical ( Achiral )
or asymmetrical ( chiral)

asymmetric carbon molecules can either be L- laevo
or R- Dextro

Question 5

3D structure of conformation

Answer 5

conformation is the spatial arrangement of groups that have different positions in space due to freedom of movement

Question 6

what are the 5 reactions of life

Answer 6

• Redox reactions
• making and breaking c-c bonds
• internal rearragements
• group transfers
  -condensation and hydrolysis reactions

refer to 5 reaction note on notability, part of LI

Question 7

describe general structure of proteins

Answer 7

proteins are long chains of amino acids, formed by condensation reactions

Question 8

describe general structure of Nucleic acids

Answer 8

2 types of nucleic acids, - DNA/RNA

DNA and RNA have the same structure apart from the one of the oxygens present in RNA and absence of it in DNA

DNA-
DNA is a double stranded nucleic acid, base paring is
(A)denine - (T)hymine, (G)uanine - (C)ytocine

RNA-
RNA is a single stranded nucleic acid, base paring is
(A)denine - (U)racil, (G)uanine - (C)ytocine

Question 9

describe general structure of lipids

Answer 9

lipids consist of many repeating units of fatty acids which are long chains of C and H.

if the chain is single bonded = Saturated molecule
if the chain has one or more double bonds = mono/poly saturated

the more double bonds in a fatty acid the more “bendy” it becomes.

Question 10

what are the 3 types of lipids

Answer 10

• Triacylglycerides
  glycerol + 3 fatty acid chains, insoluble in water, storage lipids
• Phospholipids
  Glycerol + 2 fatty acid chains + phosphate group
  form biological membrane.
• Sterols
  sterols are structural lipids precent in cell membrane
  most important one in humans is Cholesterol
• amphipathtic
• essential component in cell membrane
• precursor to steroid hormones and fat soluble vitamins