Topic 1 - Biological Molecules Flashcards
Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP)
A molecule that acts as the energy currency of cells formed from a molecule of ribose, a molecule of adenine and three phosphate groups.
Amino Acid
The monomers containing an amino group (NH2), a carboxyl group (COOH) and a variable R group that make up proteins.
Benedict’s Test
A biochemical test used to test for reducing sugars that produces a different colour based on the amount of reducing sugar present.
Biuret Test
A biochemical test that produces a purple solution in the presence of protein.
Cellulose
A polysaccharide made of beta glucose monomers that is used as a structural polysaccharide which provides strength to plant cell walls.
Condensation Reaction
A type of reaction that joins two molecules together with the formation of a chemical bond involving the elimination of a molecule of water.
DNA
An information storing molecule made up of deoxyribonucleotide monomers joined by phosphodiester bonds to form a double helix
Depeptide
Molecules formed by the condensation of two amino acids.
Disaccharide
Molecules formed by the condensation of two monosaccharides.
DNA Helicase
An enzyme that breaks the hydrogen bonds between the two DNA strands in the DNA molecule that is going to be replicated.
DNA Polymerase
An enzyme that catalyses the condensation reactions between the new nucleotides in the synthesis of the new DNA strand.
Enzyme
A protein molecule that acts as a biological catalyst and increases the rate of biochemical reactions.
Glycogen
A highly branched polysaccharide made of alpha glucose monomers that is used as the main storage of energy in humans and animals.
Glycosidic Bond
A bond between two monosaccharides formed in a condensation reaction.
Heat Capacity
The amount of energy needed to raise the temperature of a substance by a specific amount.
Hydrolosis
Breaking a chemical bond between two molecules involving the use of a water molecule.
Induced-Fit Model
A model of enzyme action that describes how enzymes undergo subtle conformational changes to better fit the substrate.
Iodine Test
A biochemical test used to test for the presence of starch.
Lactose
A disaccharide formed by condensation of a glucose molecule and a galactose molecule.
Latent Heat
The amount of energy needed for a substance to change state.
Lipid Emulsion Test
A biochemical test that produces a cloudy emulsion when performed on lipids.
Maltose
A disaccharide formed by condensation of two glucose molecules.
Metabolite
A molecule formed or used in metabolic reactions.
Monomers
The smaller units from which larger molecules are made.
