Structure and function of large Molecules Flashcards
Polymer
(poly meaning many)A long molecule consisting of many smaller similar or identical parts. Held together by covalent bonds.
Monomer
(Mono meaning single) The building blocks of polymers. Some have functions of their own.
Dehydration Reaction
When two monomers are connected covalently through the loss of H2O
Hydrolysis
When polymers are disassembled into monomers through the loss of H2O
Carbohydrate
Sugars and polymers of suger. Including, monosaccarides, Disaccarides and Polysaccarides.
Monosaccarides
(Mono meaning single) Are major nutrients of cells. Exp: glucose and fructose and triose.
Disaccarides
Consists of two monosaccarides covalently bound together by glycosidic linkage. Exp: maltose and sucrose
Glycosidic Linkage
A covalent bond between monosaccardies by a dehydration reaction.
Polysaccarides
Macromolecules, polymers with hundreds to thousands of monomers.
Glycosidic Linkage
Used for storage and buliding materlials.
Storage Polysaccarides
Starch
Glycogen
Starch
A polymer of glucose stored in plants as a charbohydrate bank. Broken down by hydrolysis.
Glycogen
A polymer of glucose stored in animals as a charboydrate bank. Broken down to glucose by hydrolysis on demand.
Structural Polysaccarides
Cellulose
Chitin
Cellulose
Most abondant organic compound on earth
Plant cell walls are made mostly of cellulose
Polymer of glucose
Chitin
Carbohydrate used to bulid the exosceleton of insects, spiders and crustateans.
Lipids
A diverse croup of hydrophobic molecules
Not polymers
Dont mix with water
Fats, phospholipids and steroids
Fats
Constructed of glycerol and fatty acids by dehydration reaction.
Fatty acids
A long carbon skeleton (16-18 carbons) and a hydrocarbon chain
Triacylglycerol
3 fatty acids linked to 1 glycerol by an ester linkage (hydroxyl and carboxyl groups) Often found in packaged foods.
Saturated fatty acids
No double bonds between carbon atoms
Saturated with hydrogen
Solid at room tepm
molecules pack closely