Molecules of Life Flashcards
Review
When covalent bonds form between atoms, electrons are shared…
Equally to form a nonpolar covalent bond or unequally to form a polar covalent bond
Ionic bonds:
Electrons are not shared but completely transferred. Forms ions which are positive or negative
water is?
Polar
Polar molecules
interact with water’s partial charge and stays in solution (Hydrophilic)
Examples of complex molecules
proteins and nucleic acids
Complex molecules are…
Polymers made up of single sub-units which are called Monomers
Uncharged and nonpolar molecules
Don’t interact with water (doesn’t dissolve). Hydrophobic
Polymers being built up
Condensation reaction
Polymers being broken apart
Hydrolysis reaction
condensation reaction
monomer in, water out
hydrolysis reaction
water in, monomer out
Proteins
polymers of amino acid monomers
Amino Acid structure
All have the same general structure but the R or side chain can be nonpolar, polar, or charged (variable)
Completed proteins
complex 3D folded structures, essential for how they function
Carbohydrates
(‘sugars’) are polymers of monosaccharides (monomers)
few monomers of carbohydrates
oligosaccharides
many monomers of carbohydrates
polysaccharides
monosaccharides consist of
C = O: carbonyl group
- OH: hydroxyl group
C - H: carbon-hydrogen bonds
Granulated sugar
disaccharide of glucose and fructose
Lipids
carbon-containing compounds that are (largely) non-polar and hydrophobic
Triglycerides
(fats) are composed of three fatty acids linked to a three-C glycerol molecule
Amphipathic
has both hydrophilic and hydrophobic elements
Phospholipids
2 fatty acids + glycerol + phosphate. They self-organize forming micelles or bilayers in aqueous solutions (plasma membrane)
Unsaturated
double carbon bond causes a kink
