Principles of biomolecules Flashcards
Define the terms monomer
A small basic molecular unit that makes up a polymer e.g. amino acids and monosccharides
Define the term polymer
A large complex molecule composed of long chains of monomers bonded/ linked together e.g proteins and carbohydrates
Define the term macromolecule
A large complex molecule with a large molecular mass e.g a protein or a lipid
Define the term dimer
A chemical compound composed of two identical or similar monomers
Define the term oligomer
A polymer molecule consisting of a small number of monomers.
Define the term condensation reaction
A reaction between two molecules resulting in the formation of a larger molecule and the release of a water molecule.
Define the term hydrolysis reaction
The breakdown of a molecule into two smaller molecules requiring the addition of a water molecule.
Define the term metabolism
Cellular metabolism is all the biochemical reactions taking place withing a cell, including all the reactions involved in digesting food molecules.
Define a catabolic reaction
Reactions of metabolism that breaks molecules down into smaller units- these reactions release energy
Define anabolic reaction
Reactions of metabolism that construct molecules from smaller units. - These reactions require energy from the hydrolysis of ATP
List the 4 main categories of biological molecule.
- Carbohydrate
- Lipids
- Proteins
- Nucleic acids
Carbohydrates- Building blocks
Monosaccharide e.g glucose, fructose, ribose
Carbohydrates- name of dimer
Disaccharide e.g sucrose, lactose, maltose
Carbohydrates- Name of macromolecule
Carbohydrate
Carbohydrates- Is the macromolecule a polymer
Yes
Carbohydrates- Bond that links the building blocks together
Glycosidic bond
Carbohydrates- the name of the reaction that joins the building blocks together
Condenstion reaction
Carbohydrates- examples of functions
Glucose- energy source for R
Starch - energy store in plants
Glycogen- energy store in animals
Cellulose- structure and support of cell wall in plants
Carbohydrates- elements that make up the molecules
Carbon, hydrogen and oxygen
Lipids- Building blocks
Fatty acids and glycerol
Lipids- Name of macromolecule
Lipid- triglyceride and phospholipids
Lipids- Is the macromolecule a polymer
No
Lipids- Bond that links the building blocks together
Esther bond
Lipids- the name of the reaction that joins the building blocks together
Esterification
Lipids- examples of functions
- membrane formation and creation of hydrophobic barriers
- hormone production
- electrical insulation necessary for impulse transmission
- waterproofing
- Thermal insulation
- cushioning to protect vital organs
- buoyancy for aquatic animals
Lipids- elements that make up the molecules
Carbon, hydrogen and oxygen, (phosphorus in phospholipids)
Proteins- building blocks
Amino acids
Proteins- name of dimer
Dipeptide
Proteins- name of macromolecule
protein- Polypeptide
Proteins- is the macromolecule a polymer
Yes
Proteins- Bonds that link the building blocks together
peptide covalent bond
Proteins- Name of reaction that joins the building blocks together
Condensation reaction
Proteins- examples of functios
globular proteins- regulate many processes such as chemical reactions, immunity, muscle contractions.
conjugated proteins
Fibrous Proteins- make strong, long molecules- structure
Proteins- elements that make up molecules
Carbon, hydrogen. oxygen, nitrogen
Explain why the principle of macromolecules being able to be deconstructed into building blocks which can then be reconstructed into different macromolecules is the basis for life as we know it.
Because you can make loads of things which are important
Define a single bond
A chemical bond in which one pair of electrons is shared between two atoms.
Define a double bond
A chemical bond in which two pairs of electrons are shared between two atoms.
