topic 1 - biological molecules Flashcards
monomers
smaller units from which larger molecules are made
polymers
molecules made from a large number of monomers joined together in a chain
how many bonds can each carbon atom form?
4 covalent bonds
the molecules of life all contain….
carbon, hydrogen and oxygen
what are the four main groups of carbon-based molecules common to all life forms?
carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nuclei acids
carbohydrates: uses
-respiratory substrates
-energy for cells
-structure
lipids: uses
-respiratory substrates
-form bilayer
-sometimes make up hormones
proteins: uses
-main component of many cellular structures
-form enzymes and chemical messengers
nucleic acids: uses
-form polymers (DNA and RNA) which make up the genetic material of organisms
-code for the sequence of amino acids which make up all proteins
how many amino acids build up protein
20
condensation reaction
joins two monomers together with a covalent bond and produces a water molecule
hydrolysis
breaks the covalent bond between two monomers and involves the use of a water molecule
what elements are common to all the molecules of life?
carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus & sulfur
which molecule forms part of the plasma membrane?
phospholipids
what are monosaccharides?
individual sugar molecules (monomers) that make up disaccharides and polysaccharides
hexose sugar
A sugar made up of 6 carbons.
pentose sugar
a sugar made up of 5 carbons
how many isomers can glucose form?
two:
a-glucose
b-glucose
difference between structure of alpha and beta glucose:
alpha:
h over oh
beta:
oh over h
how are disaccharides formed?
formed when two monosaccharides join through a condensation reaction forming a glycosidic bond between the two OH groups
glucose + glucose
maltose (reducing)
glucose + galactose
lactose (reducing)
glucose + fructose
sucrose (non reducing)
when is a polysaccharide formed?
when more than two monosaccharides are joined together by condensation reaction
what is starch made from?
the monosaccharide alpha glucose
structure of starch:
mixture of two polysaccharides: amylose and amylopectin
structure of amylose
-long unbranched forms
-coiled
-1-4 glycosidic bonds
structure of amylopectin
long branched chain due to 1-6 glycosidic bonds
properties of amylose
coiling makes it compact and stores more in a smaller space
properties of amylopectin
branches increase surface area for enzymes to hydrolyse glycosidic bonds allowing glucose to be released quickly
uses of starch:
-plants → starch to store excess glucose
too large to leave cells and insoluble (doesn’t dissolve in water - this also means it does not affect water potential)
-starch can be hydrolysed to release glucose for respiration
monosaccharide of glycogen
alpha glucose
structure of glycogen
-a long, branched chain with lots of side branches (more than amylopectin)
-1-6 glycosidic bonds
properties of glycogen
-lots of branches increase surface area for enzymes to hydrolyse glycosidic bonds allowing glucose to be released quickly
-compact molecule, good for storage
uses of glycogen
-animals store excess glucose as glycogen in muscles and in the liver.
-glycogen is an energy store as it can be hydrolysed to release glucose quickly when needed for respiration e.g during exercise
monosaccharide of cellulose
beta glucose
structure of cellulose
-long unbranched straight chains
-1-4 glycosidic bonds
-cellulose chains are linked together by hydrogen bonds between the glucose molecules in each chain to form thicker fires called microfibrils
properties of cellulose
-hydrogen bonds between the cellulose chains make the microfibrils very strong but still flexible allowing them to provide support
uses of cellulose
-major structural component in the cell walls of plants
-provides support and allows cells to become turgid
one way starch molecules are adapted for their function in plant cells
insoluble so that they don’t affect water potential
what is the group of carbohydrates?
hydroxyl
one advantage of storing starch rather than glucose in potato cells
plants use starch to store excess glucose, it’s insoluble, so potato cells save space and don’t affect water potential
most common disaccharides
maltose
lactose
fructose
where is maltose found?
in germinating seeds
where is lactose found?
in mammalian milk
where is fructose found?
used to transport sugar around plants
are lipids polymers?
no
which two types of lipids do we look at?
-triglycerides
-phospholipids
components of triglycerides
a glycerol molecule and three fatty acid chains
bonds of triglycerides
ester bond
properties of triglycerides
-the fatty acid chains are hydrophobic (repel water) which makes lipids insoluble in water
-they bundle together as insoluble droplets because the tails face inwards, and the glycerol heads shield them from the water
-the hydrocarbon fatty acid chains can be saturated or unsaturated
(triglycerides are entirely hydrophobic)
-non-polar, hydrophobic molecules
components of phospholipids
a glycerol molecule, a phosphate group and two fatty acid chains
bonds of phospholipids
ester bond
properties of phospholipids
-the phosphate group is hydrophilic (attracts water)
- he fatty acid chains are hydrophobic (repel water).
-this allows phospholipid to form bilayers which make up membranes in and around cells
saturated fatty acids
-don’t have any double bonds between their carbon atoms
-the fatty acid has all the hydrogens it can hold
unsaturated fatty acids
-have double bonds between carbon atoms which means they contain fewer hydrogen atoms
-the double bond also causes the chain to bend
-unsaturated fatty acid chains can contain one (mono) or many (poly) carbon double bonds
phospholipid bilayer
-phospholipid heads are hydrophilic and their tails are hydrophobic so when placed in water they form a double layer with the heads facing outwards towards the water and their tails facing inwards away from the water
-the centre of the bilayer is therefore hydrophobic so water soluble substances cannot easily pass through
-this creates a barrier and allows separation of solutions and can create different conditions either side of the membrane
four roles of lipids
-hormones
-insulation
-energy reserve
-cushion vital organs
what are proteins?
polymers made up of monomers known as amino acids
components of amino acids:
amino group (H^2n)
carboxylic group (COOH)
variable group (R)
what is the only difference between each amino acid?
the variable R group/side chain