Molecules Essential to Life Flashcards
why is water polar?
because O and H have a large difference of electronegativity
what is electronegativity?
a measure of an atom’s ability to attract e- towards itself
describe hydrophobic
compounds that cannotreadilyinteractwithwater
- anything with a charge
describe hydrophilic
compounds that do interact with water
why is carbon so important in biology?
it provides us with color, taste, odors and the ability to perceive and respond to our environment
- it has 4 ve- allowing carbon to form stable associations w/ up to 4 other atoms
what are monomers?
- they are the building blocks of polymers
- a molecule that can be bonded to identical molecules
what are polymers?
a substance consisting of very large molecules called macromolecules
anabolism?
- process of joining monomers to form a polymer by the removal of a water molecule
- BUILD
- CONSUME ENERGY
- CONDENSATION
catabolism?
- process of a polymer being broken down into its monomers by the addition of water
- DESTROY
- RELEASE ENERGY
- HYDROLYSIS
does your digestive tract need water to breakdown macromolecules?
yes
what is a monomer of carbohydrates and some examples?
monosaccharides
ex. - glucose
- fructose
- ribose
- galactose
- ribulose
how is a disaccharide made?
two monosaccharides join by a condensation reaction
what is a polymer of carbohydrates called and some examples?
polysaccharide - they can have branched or straight chains
ex. - starch
- cellulose
is cellulose structural or storage and branched or straight?
structural and a straight chain
is starch storage/structural and branched/straight?
storage and branched or straight
