Unit 1: Biomolecules Flashcards
Cells are made of complex molecules called
macromolecules
The cells most important macromolecules are
proteins, nucleic acids (RNA and DNA), carbohydrates, and lipids.
macromolecules are a subset of
organic molecules that are especially important for life.
Organic molecules are
any carbon-containing liquid, solid, or gas
The fundamental component for all macromolecules is
carbon
Carbon is the most ideal structural component of macromolecules because
it can form covalent bonds with up to four different atoms
Hydrocarbons
organic molecules consisting entirely of carbon and hydrogen (“carbon backbone”)
hydrocarbons structure may exist as
linear or branched carbon chains, carbon rings, or combinations of these.
The three-dimensional shape of biological macromolecules is critical to
how they function.
carbon-to-carbon bonds may be
single, double, or triple covalent bonds
Bonds between carbon atoms form
hydrocarbon chains
Functional groups are
groups of atoms that occur within molecules and have their own specific properties
Where do we find functional groups?
attached to the “carbon backbone” of macromolecules.
The carbon backbone is
chains and/or rings of carbon atoms with an occasional substitution of an element (such as nitrogen or oxygen)
Each of the four types of macromolecules has its own characteristic set of __ that contributes greatly to its differing chemical properties and its function in living organisms.
functional groups
Functional groups play an important role in forming molecules like
Nucleic acids (DNA), proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids.
Functional groups are classified as
hydrophobic or hydrophilic
a hydrophobic group is
nonpolar (does not attract/pull)
a hydrophilic group is
polar (does attract/pull)
A carboxyl (-C=O) group is
a functional (hydrophilic) group that consists of a carbon atom double-bonded to an oxygen atom and single-bonded to a hydroxyl group.
Carbonyl C=O groups are
a hydrophilic functional group
consists of a carbon atom double-bonded to a partially negatively charged oxygen atom
Two functional, hydrophilic groups are
carboxyl and carbonyl
Amino (-NH2) groups are considered a base because
They can remove H+ from solutions
Phosphate (PO4 3-) releases H+ in solutions which means it is considered
acidic
Hydrogen bonds between functional groups are important because
they help macromolecules maintain the appropriate shape for functioning
Biological macromolecules are
large molecules, necessary for life, that are built from smaller organic molecules
Macromolecules make up majority of a cell’s
dry mass
Water makes up majority of a cell’s
complete mass
Monomers are
atoms or small molecules bonded together to make one large molecule (subunit)
Polymers
a type of macromolecule made from multiple monomers covalently bonded together into chains of repeating subunits
When monomers bond to make a polymer, __ are released as a byproduct.
water molecules
dehydration synthesis means
“to put together by losing water”
What happens in a dehydration synthesis reaction?
hydrogen from one monomer combines with a hydroxyl group of another monomer, releasing a water molecule. The two monomers then share a covalent bond and make a polymer.
hydrolysis
a chemical reaction where water is used to break polymers back into individual monomers
Dehydration and hydrolysis reactions are catalyzed, or “sped up,” by
specific enzymes (what type of enzyme depends on the type of macromolecule)
Dehydration process has longer chains, which __ energy
uses
hydrolysis has shorter chains, which ___ energy
releases
When macromolecules are broken down ___ is released to enable cellular activities.
energy
Animals make ATP by
taking in fuel molecules, such as sugars or fats
PMC
program, metabolism, container
-OH is
hydroxyl
-SH is
sufhydrl
-PO4 3- is
phosphate
-COOH or -C=O is
carboxyl
—O=C—OH
-NH2 is
An amino
Nucleic acids include
RNA & DNA
C2H3
Methyl
Seven main functional groups include (there are 12 total)
Hydroxyl, carbonyl, carboxyl, amino, phosphate, methyl, sulfhydryl
Functional groups are attached to the carbon backbone of macromolecules
Carbohydrate characteristics
Simple sugars having many hydroxyl bonds, OH-
In the PMC model, the program describes a biomolecule’s
Genome (information) and expression (method of reading info). ie. DNA & RNA
In the PMC model, Metabolism describes a biomolecule’s
reactions that take place in a cell, especially capturing energy and converting it into other resources the cell needs
In the PMC model, container describes a biomolecule’s
the barier (membrane) to separate the cell from the environment
Biomolecule
a molecule that is produced by a living organism.
fatty acids have a __group and a ___ chain
carboxyl group, long carbon chain
In Biology, Biomolecule and organic molecules are referred to
interchangeably
Nucleotide is a
nucleic acid monomer
Metabolism is carried out by
proteins
An amino acid is a protein __
monomer
Molecule with hydrophobic and hydrophilic regions
Amphipathic (ie. proteins)
Nucleic acid (DNA) structures is made from
PBS (phosphate, base and sugar)
A polyatomic ion is a__ group with a charge
functional
Amino acids can be identified by (4)
central carbon, carboxyl, hydroxyl, amino
Monosaccharide (CH2O)
Monomer of a carb (simple sugar)
What is the most important biomolecule in maintaining homeostasis?
Proteins
