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
-Protein found in blood cells in the liver, stores iron.
Ferritin
-Enzymes are proteins that increase the biochemical reactions.
-Most enzymes specifically act to only one reactant.
Catalysis
-Myosin and actin, the protein molecules in the muscles, are involved in muscle contraction and relaxation
Movement
-The protein molecules in the muscles, are involved in muscle contraction and relaxation
Myosin and Actin
-Are biomolecules composed of nucleotides linked together in a chain via condensation reactions.
=The main types are deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA).
Nucleic Acids
-Is a heterocyclic aromatic organic compound consisting of a pyrimidine ring fused to an imidazole ring.
Purines
-Is a heterocyclic aromatic organic compound similar to benzene and pyrimidine consisting two nitrogen atoms as position 1 & 3 of the six-member ring.
Pyrimidines
Unbranched, forms a helix
Amylose
Highly branched, not helical or spiral
Amylopectin
-Glucose + Fructose
Sucrose
Galactose + Glucose
Lactose
Glucose + Glucose
Maltose
It is the glue that joins two monosaccharide units
Glycosidic Bond
Long chain of monosaccharide units
(not just polysaccharide)
Polymers
Main structural components in animals
Collagen and Keratin
Enables cells to absorb glucose from the blood and prevents the body from using fat as an energy source
Insulin
