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BIOLOGY-FY > S1-L2: Introduction to Biological Molecules > Flashcards

S1-L2: Introduction to Biological Molecules Flashcards

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1
Q

What are carbon-based compounds?

A

-Basic units of biological molecules

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2
Q

Outline the purpose of functional groups

A

-determine molecule’s function

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3
Q

What is the difference between monomers and polymers?

A

-simple VS complex molecules

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4
Q

Why is water important?

refer to figure 1

A

-for the sustenance of life

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5
Q

Briefly describe life as being “carbon based”

refer to figure 2

A
  • Carbon-basis of living material due to to ability to form 4 bonds with
  • ->other atoms and/ or wide variety of molecules
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6
Q

How do carbon-based molecules vary?

refer to figure 3

A

-vary from simple to complex molecules

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7
Q

Describe large carbon-based molecules like graphite and diamond

A
  • held together via strong covalent bonds

- -> e- charge clouds merge to form covalent bonds

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8
Q

Briefly outline the composition of a carbon atom and its outer most orbital

A
  • 6 protons (+)/ 6 neutrons/ 6 electrons (-)

- outer e- orbital lacks 4 of 8 electrons which need filling

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9
Q

How do carbon atoms form covalent bonds with themselves or other atoms?

A
  • Either with themselves or other e- deficient atoms-form covalent bonds
  • ->share electron pair-more than 1 e- needed to fill outer orbital
  • ->shared e- pair form covalent bond
  • ->bonds can be single/double/triple
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10
Q

Which atoms can Carbon form covalent bonds with?

A

-Carbon (C) Hydrogen (H)/ Oxygen (O)/ Nitrogen (N)/ Sulfur (S)

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11
Q

What does “valence” mean and how is it significance along with low atomic weight?

A
  • Valence- is the n. of missing e-‘s
  • valence and low atomic weight–>give unique properties which account for diversity + stability of C-containing compounds and its role in biological molecules
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12
Q

Outline the significance of “functional groups” and their effect on carbon based compounds

A
  • Each functional group has specific properties and so a specific function
  • functional groups are able to attach to C-based compounds and control atom’s function
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13
Q

What do cellular chemical reactions often invove?

A

-involve functional group transfer (loss or gain of them)

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14
Q

How are covalent bonds in carbon-based compounds significant for life and give an example?

A
  • covalent bond breakage in C-based compounds releases energy
  • ->this energy used to sustain life
  • EXAMPLE: CO2 (O=C=O) –> only contains 2 C=O bond with low energy
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15
Q

Briefly outline the key features of the following functional groups:

1-Alkene 
2-Alkyne 
3-Alcohol 
4-Ether
5-Haloalkane
A

1- C=C/ “-ene”/ E.G: 2HC=CH2–> ethene (ethylene)
2- C-(x3)C/ “-yne”/ E.G: HC-(x3)CH/ ethyne (Acetylene)
3- C-O-H (2 lone pairs on O)/ “-ol”/E.G: CH3-OH methanol (methl alcohol)
4- C-O-C (2 lone pairs on O)/ “ether” / E.G: CH3-O-CH3/ dimethyl ether
5- C-X (X= halogen)/ “halo-“/ E.G: CH3-Cl/ chloromethane (methyl chloride)

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16
Q

Continued:

6- Amine 
7-Aldehyde 
8-Ketone 
9-Carboxylic Acid 
10-Ester
A

6- C-N/ “-amine”/ E.G: CH2-CH-NH2/ ethylamine
7- H-C=O/ “-al”/ E.G: CH3-CO-H/ Ethanal
8- C-C=O-C/ “-one”/ CH3-CO-CH3/ Propanone
9- O=C-OH/ “-oic acid”/ CH3-CO-OH/ ethanoic acid
10- O=C-O-C/ “-oate”/ CH3-COOCH3/ methyl ethanoate

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17
Q

Similarly, briefly outline the following functional groups

1-Thiol
2-Phosphate
3-Amide

A

1- R-S-H/ Sulphydryl
2- RO-RO-(P)=O-OR/ Phospahte
3- R-(C)=O-NR2 (R= alkyl/ other organic substitute)

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18
Q

Explain the basics as to what all our complexity comes down to

A
  • All complexity comes down to C and H2O molecules

- -> which interconnected through array of functional groups

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19
Q

What are functional groups usually classified as?

A

-classified as hydrophobic/hydrophilic depending on their charge/ polarity

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20
Q

Define the term “macromolecules”

A

-Large biological molecules with repeating sub-units & many functional groups

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21
Q

What are 4 main biologically important macromolecules?

A

-carbohydrates/ lipids/ proteins/ nucleic acids

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22
Q

Outline the meaning of “monomers” and “polymers” in the context of macromolecules

A
  • monomers: macromolecules composed of building blocks

- polymers: monomers joined via covalent bonds to from long chain/macromolecules

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23
Q

Describe the process of dehydration synthesis through which polymers are formed

A
  • water molecule formed and removed from reactants joined during reaction
  • ->requires energy in ATP form (adenosine 5’ triosephosphate)
24
Q

Similarly outline the process of Hydrolysis through which polymers are broken down

A
  • bonds between reactants broken through water molecule addition (H2O)
  • -> energy released from bond stored as ATP
  • hydrolysis process is the opposite of dehydration synthesis
25
Q

Why do big molecules like starch need to be broken down and what is needed to aid this process?

A
  • need to be broken down in to smaller units to be easily digested AND absorbed across gut
  • ->this hydrolysis reaction needs enzymes help
26
Q

Define the term “enzymes”

A

-biological catalyst which increases chemical reaction rate without being used up

27
Q

Give brief background to the water molecule and its involvement in organisms

A
  • H2O is it’s chemical formula
  • most abundant molecule in body–> 60-95% of fresh mass of living organisms
  • Medium- cellular chemical reactions occur here
  • major role in living systems-growth/reproduction/ hydration/ nutrition/ hygiene and health
28
Q

How does water act as a Universal Solvent and Transporter?

A
  • all body fluids mostly water

- aids movement of chemical reactions during diffusion

29
Q

How may water act as a Lubricant?

A
  • In joints and on tissues

- also moistens epithelial surfaces like the eye/mouth

30
Q

Outline how water can act as a Shock Absorber

A
  • In the brain-very sensitive to CFS changes

- ->small amount removed would require it to be recovered

31
Q

Describe how water Regulates Body Temp

A
  • water needs heat to turn to vapour

- sweat absorbs heat from skin when evaporating

32
Q

How much water do we need?

A
  • Body tissue is approximately 62% of water

- we need approximately 1.5L/ day

33
Q

What happens when we lack the required amount of water in the body?

A
  • Leads to dehydration
  • -> which associated with many conditions like diarrhoea/vomiting
  • dehydration can be fatal so needs to be treated as soon as possible
  • ->through fluid replacement therapy (example) OR oral intravenous (IV)
34
Q

Describe Capillary Refill Time (CRT)

A

-Time taken for colour to return to external capillary bed after pressure applied to cause blanching (make white/pale)

35
Q

What is the Capillary Refill Test?

A

-test to check hydration status of blood flow

36
Q

How is CRT measured?

A
  • hold hand higher than heart level
  • press on soft pad of finger/nail until turns white
  • note time taken for colour to return
  • ->should be around 2 s for normal people and 5 s new born infants
  • ->if time longer than should be indicates dehydration
37
Q

What is the typical structure of water molecule like?

A
  • Simple oxygen molecule

- ->one oxygen molecule atom bonded by single C-bond to 2 H atoms

38
Q

Outline the atomic structure of O and H and how it affect the covalent bonding in H2O’s structure

A
  • O atom contains 8 (+) protons in nucleus
  • each H atom contains 1 (+) proton in nucleus
  • ->results in shared e- pair in each covalent bond in H2O to be more strongly attracted to O than to either H nuclei
39
Q

How is a water molecule polar/charged?

A
  • slight (-) pole near O (delta -) and slight (+) pole near H (delta +)
  • ->makes water molecule polar as a result
40
Q

How does hydrogen bonds form between two water molecules?

A

-Delta (+) near H atoms attracted to delta (-) near O atom of nearby water molecules

41
Q

Why is water a liquid?

A
  • H bonds relatively weak–> 5-10% strength of covalent bonds
  • also easily broken–> 1/100,000,000,000 of second)
  • H bonding creates fluid as molecules constantly change patterns
42
Q

Explain how water is a powerful solvent

A
  • NaCl (salt) lattice of Na+ ions ionically bonded to Cl- ions
  • -> delta (+) H’s attracted to Cl- AND delta (-) O’s attracted to Na+ ions
  • ->lattice pulls apart and salt dissolves in water
43
Q

How does water act as a universal solvent?

A
  • all polar (charged) molecules and ions water soluble as able to form H bonds with water
  • ions + polar molecules able to move and interact freely
  • ->also able to take part in cellular chemical reactions
44
Q

What are non-polar molecules and why are they hydrophobic?

A
  • Have no electrical charge AND unable to from H bonds with water
  • ->these molecules repel water molecules so are hydrophobic
45
Q

What does Hydrophilic mean in terms of water?

A

-polar molecules which attract water molecules like Cl- and Na+

46
Q

Define the term Amphiphilic

A

-Some molecules have mix of both hydrophobic and hydrophilic properties

47
Q

What is the effect of Hydrophobic forces on biological molecules?

A

-these forces influence 3D shape of biological molecules

48
Q

Describe the phospholipid bilayer plasma membrane

A
  • polar head and non-polar tail

- ->non-polar tails face inwards while polar tails face outwards

49
Q

Outline the permeability of the plasma membrane

A
  • Hydrophobic and small molecules pass through easily

- hydrophilic molecules can’t pass through easily

50
Q

Where does the plasma membranes unique properties come from?

A

-come from it’s fluidity and polarity

51
Q

Define “surface tension”

A
  • tension of surface of film of liquid caused by attraction of particles in surface layer as to reduce S. Area
  • elastic tendency of fluid surface
52
Q

AT LIQUID- What are air interfaces and what results in them?

A
  • Air interfaces-point two systems meet/interact

- -> results from greater interaction of liquid molecules to each other (due to cohesion) than to air molecules

53
Q

Define and describe the use of “surfactants”

A
  • Substances which reduce s. tension between 2 liquids/ between gas & liquid OR between liquid and solid
  • ->surfactants may act as detergents/ wetting agents/ emulsifiers/ foaming agents and dispersants (disperse small particles in a medium)
54
Q

Describe the link between lung’s collapsing and S. Tension

A
  • S. tension tends to make lung alveoli collapse

- ->alveoli secrete surfactants-to break surface tension

55
Q

How may premature babies lung’s collapse and what treatment may be prescribed?

A
  • they lack surfactants–>lung collapses (atelectasis) as surface tension cant be reduced
  • -> prescribed surfactant inhaler therapy
56
Q

Summary of lecture

A
  • Valence + low atomic weight of C–> lets it form chains & link functional groups important for biological macromolecular generation
  • biologically important macromolecular groups–> carbohydrates/ proteins/ lipids/ nucleic acids
  • biological polymers generated from monomers via dehydration synthesis
  • biological polymers broken down via hydrolysis
  • water universal for life–>universal solvent/polarity/ H-bonding

BIOLOGY-FY (12 decks)

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