Science Biomolecules Flashcards
-Are any of the numerous substances that are produced by cells and living organisms.
-Have a wide range of sizes and structures and perform a vast array of functions.
-The four major types are carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids, and proteins
Biomolecules
-Are the most abundant class of organic compounds in organisms.
-They contain the elements carbon (C), hydrogen (H), and oxygen (O).
Carbohydrates
-Simple sugars, the basic unit of a carbohydrate
Monosaccharides
-Glucose
-Fructose
-Galactose
-If it contains an aldehyde group (–CHO)
Aldose
-If it contains a keto group (–CO–)
Ketose
-Made up of two monosaccharide units joined by a glycosidic bond
Disaccharides
-Sucrose
-Lactose
-Maltose
-Composed of a long chain of monosaccharide units they are also called polymers
Polysaccharides
-Starch
-Glycogen
-Cellulose
-Primary form of polysaccharide stored in plants
-Consists of polymers: amylose and amylopectin
-Insoluble and therefore good for storage
-Helix or coil is compact.
-The branches can be easily hydrolyzed into glucose.
Starch
-Primary form of polysaccharide found in animals and fungi
-Has a similar structure to that of amylopectin but its branching is more extensive
-The number and length of the branches indicate that it is extremely compact and hydrolyzes rapidly.
Glycogen
-Major structural component of plant cell walls
-Adjacent chains of long, unbranched polymers of glucose
-Chains form a hydrogen bond with each other to form microfibrils
-The microfibrils are strong and vital to the structure of plant cell walls.
Cellulose
-Are biomolecules that are either produced by the human body or obtained from diet.
-They are derived from dairy and poultry products, grains, meats, and oils.
-They contain more carbon and hydrogen atoms than oxygen atoms.
-Found in dairy and poultry products, grains, meats, baked goods, and oils, among many others.
-Having a high percentage of C and H content.
-Insoluble in water but are soluble in nonpolar solvent
Lipids
-Are simple lipids that have a backbone structure consisting of four fused carbon rings.
-Are used to reduce redness or swelling of the body (inflammation).
-They can help with inflammations (e.g. asthma and eczema), can reduce the activity of the immune system, the body’s natural defense
Steroids
-Consist of a long chain of fatty acid and a long chain of monohydroxy alcohol.
Waxes
-Beeswax, Chinese wax, Wood sealant, Ear wax, Vegetable wax
-Is the most abundant class of lipid.
-Fats
-Oils
Triglyceride
A lipid from animals
Fats
A lipid from plants
Oils
-Are made up of two fatty acids, glycerol, phosphate, and one simple organic molecule like choline.
Phospholipids
-Are large biomolecules composed of long chains of amino acids, which have unique structural arrangements of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur.
-It can be in two types– fibrous and globular.
Proteins
-Are long, strand-like proteins that are insoluble in water, weak acids, and weak bases
Fibrous
-Have a spherical shape and are soluble in water, acids, and bases
-Is like a tangled snake
Globular
-Proteins comprise the skin, bones, hair, and nails.
-Collagen and keratin are the main structural components in animals.
-They form the scaffolding that gives animal cells their shape.
Structure
-Insulin enables cells to absorb glucose from the blood and prevents the body from using fat as an energy source.
-Many hormones, including insulin, are proteins.
Hormones
-Proteins are involved in the transport of molecules across cell membranes.
Transport
-Some proteins store substances for future use in the body.
-Casein in milk stores nutrients for newborn mammals while ovalbumin serves as a nutrition source for bird embryos
Storage
