OCR ALevel Biology - Module 2 - Definitions - Topic 2.2 : Biological molecules Flashcards
What is adhesion?
A property of water molecules that creates an attraction between them and surfaces that they are in contact with.
What is an amino acid?
The monomers containing an amino group (NH2), a carboxyl group (COOH) and a variable R group that make up proteins.
What is amylopectin?
A branched polysaccharide made up of alpha glucose monomers joined by α-1,6 glycosidic bonds that makes up starch along with amylose.
What is amylose?
An unbranched polysaccharide made up of alpha glucose monomers joined by α-1,4 glycosidic bonds that makes up starch along with amylopectin.
What are anions?
An ion with a negative charge.
What is Benedict’s test?
A biochemical test used to detect the presence of a reducing sugar in a solution and distinguish between solutions of different reducing sugar concentrations.
What is the Biuret test?
A biochemical test that produces a purple colour when it is added to a solution containing protein.
What are cations?
An ion with a positive charge.
What is cellulose?
A linear polysaccharide that is the main component of the cell wall in plants and is made up of many beta glucose molecules joined by β-1,4 glycosidic bonds.
What is chromatography?
A technique used to separate different molecules in a solution by their different properties.
What is cohesion?
A property of water molecules that creates an attraction between them which causes them to stick together.
What is collagen?
A type of fibrous protein that provides strength to many different cell types and makes up connective tissues.
What is a condensation reaction?
A type of reaction that joins two molecules together with the formation of a chemical bond involving the elimination of a molecule of water.
What is a conjugated protein?
A protein with a prosthetic group bound to it.
What is elastin?
A type of fibrous protein that allows tissues and structures like blood vessels to stretch and return to their original shape.
What is a fibrous protein?
A class of long chain proteins that are generally insoluble in water and typically have structural roles.
What is a globular protein?
A class of spherical shaped proteins that are generally water soluble and typically have metabolic roles.
What is glucose?
A hexose monosaccharide that is the main respiratory substrate in eukaryotes.
What is glycogen?
A highly branched polysaccharide that is used as the main energy storage molecule in animals and is made up of alpha glucose monomers joined by α-1,4 glycosidic bonds.
What is haemoglobin?
A type of conjugated globular protein used to transport oxygen that is made up of four polypeptide chains each containing a haem prosthetic group.
What is a hexose monosaccharide?
A simple sugar that contains 6 carbon atoms.
What is a hydrogen bond?
A type of weak bond formed between an electropositive hydrogen and an electronegative atom like oxygen or nitrogen.
What is hydrolysis?
Breaking a chemical bond between two molecules involving the use of a water molecule.
What is insulin?
A globular protein hormone that is made in the pancreas in response to detection of high glucose levels in the blood.
