Unit 1 Flashcards
What are the biological atoms?
Sulfur, Phosphorus, Oxygen, Nitrogen, Carbon and Hydrogen
What is a macro-molecule?
a large complex structure
What is a polymer?
chain of repeating smaller subunits linked by covalent bonds
What are the 4 types of macro-molecules?
Proteins, Carbohydrates, Lipids, Nucleic Acids
What is a carbohydrate?
biological macromolecule that always has carbon, hydrogen and oxygen in a 1:2:1 ratio. Also has a high number of hydroxyl groups to allow for energy storage
What is starch used for?
short term energy storage in plants
What is glycogen used for?
short term energy in animals and an be broken down for energy faster than starch
What is cellulose used for?
provides structural support in plants
What is a lipid?
biological macromolecule with high proportions of non-polar CH bonds and they are hydrophobic whch plays a key role in determining their function
Why are lipids good for long term energy storage? Why not?
they have many CH bonds which can store energy longer but they are also less accessible so are used after carbohydrates.
How are lipids used in humans?
insulation, protection for major organs, in cell membranes
What are the main structural features of a carbohydrate?
- lots of OH (hydroxyl) groups
- carbon, hydrogen and oxygen occur in 1:2:1 ratio
What are the main structural features of a lipid?
- have long tails with many carbons
- have ester bond and a double bonded oxygen
- has a head and tail ends (usually)
What is a triglyceride?
lipid molecule made of glycerol molecule and 3 fatty acids linked by ester bonds
What is a fatty acid?
a hydrocarbon chain ending in a carboxyl group (COOH)
- can be saturated (all single bonds) or unsaturated (1+ double bonds)
What is monounsaturated?
one double bond
What is polyunstaurated?
2 or more double bonds. Humans cannot sythesize this so it is necessary in our diets.
What is a phospholipid?
composed of a glycerol molecule bonded to 2 fatty acids and a phosphate group with an R group.
What are phospholipids commonly found in?
they make up the cell membrane
What is so important about the head and the tail of a phospholipid?
the head is polar and hydrophillic and the tail is non-polar and hydrophobic. This is important in forming the phospholipid bilayer.