OPTION B Biochemistry Flashcards
What does the diverse functions of biomolecules depend on?
Their structure and shapes
What are metabolic reactions and under which circumstances do they occur?
Term for the different chemical reactions of biomolecules.
These reactions occur in highly controlled aqueous environments.
What is catabolism?
Reactions of breakdown (of biomolecules)
What is anabolism?
Synthesis of biomolecules.
From what reactions are biopolymers formed?
Condensation reactions.
(Monomers bond tgthr w covalent bonds and a water molecule produced for each covalent bond. Monomer must have 2 functional groups)
Through what reactions are biopolymers broken down?
Hydrolysis reactions.
(Reverse of condensation reaction; water molecule added for each covalent bond broken)
What is the difference between condensation and hydrolysis reactions?
Biopolymers are formed by condensation reactions and broken down by hydrolysis reactions. (Is this enough?? In syllabus)
What is photosynthesis (1 sentence)
Photosynthesis is the synthesis of energy-rich molecules from carbon dioxide and water using light energy.
What is respiration?
Complex set of metabolic processes (breaking down the energy rich molecules formed through photosynthesis) providing energy for cells.
Explain the balancing of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere using equations.
6CO2 + 6H2O —> C6H12O6 + 6O2
(Photosynthesis^^)
C6H12O6 + 6O2 —> 6CO2 + 6H2O
(Respiration^^)
Photosynthesis synthesizes energy rich molecules — glucose and oxygen — from carbon dioxide and water, and respiration breaks down these molecules to form carbon dioxide and water again, keeping the amount of carbon dioxide and oxygen in the atmosphere constant.
What are proteins? And what bond do they contain?
Proteins are polymers/macromolecules of 2-amino acids (alfa-amino acids), joined by amide links/peptide bonds.
What functional groups does a general 2-amino acid consist of?
Amino group (-NH2) & carboxyl group (-COOH)
Amino acids are … (in relation to acids and bases) and can exist as (what 3 kinds of ions?)
Amino acids are amphoteric
And can exist as zwitterions, cations and anions
What is a zwitterion?
Dipolar ion // ion with two different charges
Exists at a unique pH for each amino acid = isoelectric point
What is meant by “isoelectric point”?
The pH value at which the amino acids have no net charge (are zwitterions).
What happens to an amino acid in a pH HIGHER THAN its isoelectric point?
It has the basic form (the carboxyl group is COO-) and is negatively charged. (The NH2 is still that)
What happens to an amino acid in a pH LOWER THAN its isoelectric point?
It has the acidic form (the amino group becomes NH3+) and is positively charged. (The COOH is still that)
What reaction does amino acids react in? And what kinds of bonds are formed between the amino acids?
Condensation reactions! (Forms long chains)
(The amino acids are bonded together by) peptide links (that are amides)
With which 4 levels/kinds of structures are proteins described?
Primary
Secondary
Tertiary
Quaternary
(Levels/structure)
What does Primary structure of a protein refer to?
OBS WHAT FORCE???
The sequence of amino acids
What does Secondary structure of a protein refer to?
Describes the two ways that the polypeptide chain fold itself due to intramolecular HYDROGEN BONDING. Alfa-helix; Beta-pleated sheet