UNIT 1, Topic 1A & 1B - Biological Molecules Flashcards
What are the 5 biological molecules groups?
(Carbon based compounds)
Carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids and water
Where are carbohydrates found in living organisms?
Used by cells as respiratory substrates
- form structural components in plasma membranes and cell walls.
How are lipids used in living organisms?
Including: bilayer of plasma membranes, some structural components in hormones and as respiratory substrates; also as signalling molecules
How are proteins used in living organisms?
Form many cell structures.
Enzymes, chemical messengers and components of the blood
How are nucleic acids used in living organisms?
Carry the genetic code for production of proteins.
- the genetic code is common to viruses and living things, EVIDENCE FOR EVOLUTION
How is water used in living organisms?
Used in metabolic/ chemical reactions & common component of cells
Give some examples of carbohydrates from GCSE
Starch, cellulose, glucose, sucrose, fructose
Give some example of nucleic acids from GCSE
DNA, RNA, ATP, mRNA
What is the function of lipids (fats)?
Energy storage, insulation (also flotation in animals; low density), protection, water proof layer (minimises water loss too) and to make cell membranes
- as they dont dissolve in body fluids, they don’t have an osmotic effect (not disrupting the balance)
What’s the function of proteins generally?
For growth and repair of tissues. Transport and structure too.
What is the function of ATP molecule and how is it made?
Source of energy for cell.
- Energy released from glucose during resp. used to make ATP.
Chromosomes are made from this chemical…
DNA
Storage compound in plant cells
Starch
Storage compound found in animal cells
Glycogen is a storage polysaccharide
Give an example of an element that is also a molecule
H²
Answer the following questions for covalent bonding and ionic bonding…
- Between which atoms do they occur, describe the bonding.
- Give an example of a molecule bonded this way.
- Arrangement.
COVALENT:
- shared pair of electrons
IONIC:
- gains or loses electrons
What is a hydrogen bond?
The attractive forces which binds hydrogen atom of one molecule with the electronegative atom of another molecule. POLAR MOLECULE*
- bond is weak individually, but strong in masses. It’s basically intermolecular forces between molecules.
Hydrogen becomes slightly positive as electrons are pulled slightly more towards one atom (like a bigger, electronegative oxygen atom); hence, electrons arent evenly distributed.
What’s an disulfide bond?
A covalent link between 2 sulfur atoms (which may be attached to other main acids for example).
S-S bridge.
- involved in stabilising structure of proteins.
What’s a macro molecule?
Large complex molecules
What is a polymer?
Meaning many.
A large molecule in one big structure made from repeating units called monomers.
What’s a monomer?
A single unit of a chemical which can be joined to be repeatedly linked into a polymer.
Polymeristaion defintion
The process of how a substance/monomers become a polymer.
What’s a polypeptide
A polypeptide isa continuous, unbranched chain of amino acids joined by peptide bonds.
The monomer here is a protein.
Nucleic acids are polymers, what are their monomers and give an example.
Nucleotides; DNA
Proteins are polymers, what are their monomers and give an example.
Amino acids; haemoglobin
Carbs are polymers, what are their monomers and give an example.
Monosacharrides (from polysaccharides); starch.
Making polymers involves joining monomers and making bonds. What reaction is used for this.
A condensation reaction (not strictly for polymers); polymer (AKA the new bond) and water are the products here.
What reaction is used to break down polymers?
Hydrolysis reaction, USES H²O molecule to break bond.
During which process are polymers hydrolysed in the body into monomers?
Digestion <3
Full chemical formula of glucose
C⁶H¹²O⁶
Practice drawing the forming and breaking of bonds of monosaccharides
… On tablet for extra guidance
A condensation reaction between 2 monosaccharides forms a …
Glycosidic linkage/ bond. FORMING a disaccharide
FINISH SENTENCES:
1. Glycogen and starch are formed by the condensation of …
2. Cellulose is formed by the condensation of…
- Alpha glucose
- BEAT GLUCOSE
- These polysaccharides are formed from the condensation of many beta glucose units
Name the 3 main disaccharides
Maltose, lactose, sucrose
What’s an isomer?
2 (or more) compounds with the same molecular formula but different arrangements of atoms and properties.
Hello this is Theresa
Eva smells
Describe monosaccharides
Simple sugars, white crystalline solids, dissolve in water to form sweet tasting solutions.
- glucose, fructose and galactose
Why is glucose called a hexose sugar?
It has 6 carbons
Explain how a disaccharide is formed.
A condensation reaction between two monosaccharides occurs, water is produced and a glycosidic bond is formed. Example, maltose.
Name the monosaccharides making up the disaccharides:
- maltose
- lactose
- sucrose
Maltose: glucose and glucose
Lactose: galactose and glucose
Sucrose: glucose and fructose
What enzymes are required for the hydrolysis of:
- Maltose
- Sucrose
- Lactose
- Maltase
- Sucrase
- Lactase
What are the 2 groups of lipids (fats) we learn about?
Triglycerides and phospolipids
What is an ester bond?
The bond formed from a condensation reaction between glycerol and a fatty acid (R-COOH)
- water by product
What are triglycerides?
A type of lipid: includes plant oils and animal fats.
One glycerol and 3 fatty acids.
Not polymers (as not one type of repeating monomer) and dont dissolve in water.
- non-polar and hydrophobic molecules
What is R-COOH? (Lipids)
Carboxyl group is the COOH and the R tail is a hydrocarbon chain that’s hydrophobic
- AKA the rest of the fatty acid.
- see samsung notes for reaction with this molecule and glycerol.
Structure of triglyceride?
Glycerol molecule stays the same; difference in properties come from the variations in the fatty acids (the R group, as all fatty acids have a carboxyl group)
Difference between unsaturated and saturated fatty acids?
Saturated: every carbon atom is joined to another carbon by a single bond in the hydrocarbon chain
Unsaturated: one or more carbon-carbon bonds in chain is a double bond. Causes kinks in the chain.
Polyunsaturated
Fatty acid chain with many C=C double bonds
Describe an unsaturated triglyceride at room temperature
The fatty acid tails are not able to be tightly packed and this results in oils that are liquid
Describe a saturated triglyceride at room temperature
Fully saturated fatty acid tails can pack tightly against one another as the single bonds result in straight molecules; generating fats and candle wax that are solid (e.g. butter)
Structure of triglycerides relating to their functions:
- Have high ratio of energy storing C-H bonds to C-C bonds; good energy source when broken down (compared to carbs; here you have the same energy with less mass)
- Low mass to energy ratio, good storage molecules, lots of energy in small vol.
- (*)Large non-polar molecules; insoluble in water so storage of them has no osmotic effect on cells.
- High ratio of O to H atoms, releasing water when oxidised: portant source of water for organisms (in dry conditions).
Differences between a triglyceride and phospholipid
- 2 fatty acids instead of 3
- 2 ester bonds instead of 3
- has a phosphate group attached, other doesn’t
- hydrolysis of one only requires two water molecules
- behave differently so have different function and form different structures, droplet or bilayer.
- 3rd carbon rotated 180°, the phosphate group is attached to an alcohol
How is a phospholipid a polar molecule?
It’s made up of two sections/poles: hydrophobic tail and hydrophillic head.
Describe the (nonpolar) hydrophobic and (polar) hydrophilic components of phospholipids (also applicable to troglycerides)
- FUN FACT: hydrogen bond is formed between the polar molecule of water
Phobic tail:
- fatty acid molecules repel water. Tail orients itself away from water BUT readily mixes with fat
Phillic head:
- phosphate molecules attract. The head is attracted to water BUT not fat.
Triglycerides form droplets in water. What do phospolipids form?
A phospolipid bilayer, which is found in cell membranes (acting as a barrier to water soluble substances, due to hydrophobic tails) OR micelles.
What are glycolipids?
Carbohydrate (chain attached) and phospholipid combined; cell recognition as function.
How many hydroxyl groups does a glycerol molecule have?
(OH), 3×
What is the specific name given to a condensation reaction between a glycerol molecule and a fatty acid to form an ester bond (and water by product)?
Esterification
- example of condensation reaction
Why are triglycerides used for waterproofing in aquatic birds?
They’re non polar molecules; so are hydrophobic and dont dissolve in water
Why is the head of phospolipids hydrophillic?
The phosphate group is a charged molecules (also contains an R group fun fact)
How do you test for lipids?
Qualitative or quantitative test?
Emulsion test
- Add ethanol to dissolve your sample
- shake
- add water
- shake
- a white emulsion appears when positive
Qualitative; looking simply at presence or absence of it, no numeric data
In a phospolipid, what happens to the last hydroxyl group of the glycerol?
Its bonded to the phosphate group by condensation reaction;
This head can then face the aqueous internal / external cellular environment
What is a lipid?
An organic compound group containing hydrocarbons.
Lipids arefatty, waxy, or oily compounds that are soluble in organic solvents and insoluble in polar solvents such as water.
Test for reducing sugars
Heat (or say to 70°C) sample in a water bath with Benedict’s reagent / solution.
Positive: blue > brick red
- concentration makes colour vary: green, yellow, orange
Which sugars are reducing sugars?
ALL monosaccharides (fructose, glucose…) ; SOME disaccharides (lactose and maltose)
- they reduce other chemicals when in solution.
Test for non-reducing sugars; explain why each step is done
- May get a mark for stating that reducing sugars test was done first to determine there were no reducing sugars.
Sample BOILED with hydrochloric acid: to hydrolyse it into its constituent monosaccharides (sucrose > fructose + glucose)
Add sodium hydrogencarbonate (SHC); neutralises sample.
Perform Benedict’s test now….
Same colours still.
Example of non-reducing sugar
Sucrose
Why do you need to neutralise the sample from a non-reducing sugars test before continuing?
Hydrogen carbonate is then added to neutralise the solution asBenedick’s reagent doesn’t work under acidic conditions.
How many naturally occuring amnio acid monomers
20
What are the 4 components of an amini acid?
Amine group, carboxyl group, R group (hydrocarbonchain, e.g. CH³), hydrogen atom
Central, ‘alpha’ carbon
What elements make proteins differ from lipids and carbohydrates
Nitrogen
What would happen if you changed the sequence of amino acids?
Changes the shape of the protein/ tertiary structure, now a different protein with different function.
What is formed when more amino acids are added to a dipeptide
Polypeptide
What’s a protein?
Polypeptide folds into complex 3D shape in order to carry out specific function
List the 4 components making up an animo acid
Amine, carboxyl, hydrogen atom, R group
When does a polypeptide chain become a protein?
Until it folds up into a distinct 3D shape and becomes functional
All proteins have a tertiary structure bit not all have a….
Quaternary structure
Describe the primary structure of a protein
Sequence of amino acids, peptide bonds.
Amine and carboxyl group at the ends
Describe the secondary structure of a protein
Polypeptide folded into alpha helix or beta pleated sheets held by hydrogen bond.
Describe the tertiary structure
Determines function of protein.
- disulfide, ionic and hydrogen.
- COOH & NH² at ends
Bonds occur between the R groups on the amini acids causing the alpha helices or beta pleated sheets to interact and fold by forming bonds.
Describe the quaternary structure
More than one polypeptide chain in a protein; collagen and haemoglobin
- forms fibrous or globular proteins
Test for proteins (2 answers)
Biuret reagent
Blue > lilac
Add dilute copper sulphate solution and then add sodium hydroxide solution (then shake); result.
Sodium hydroxide creates an alkaline environment so the test can work.
Explain why globular proteins are soluble in water
They have amino acids on the surface of the protein which are hydrophilic (the R group is), hence interact with water molecules; soluble therefore.
- whilst the hydrophobic amino a. are in the centre, away from water.
Describe how the structure of haemoglobin relates to its function
It has 4 sub units (2 alpha and 2 beta sub units). Haemoglobin in RBCs and role of binding to O² reversibly.
- binds to oxygen in lungs, releases in body tissues.
Each sub unit contains prosthetic group haem (hence a conjugated protein); each haem contains an Fe2+ ion WHERE oxygen binds to
- 1 haemoglobin molecule can bind to 4 oxygen then!
What polymer cannot be broken down by human digestion (only ruminants)?
Cellulose
Why is glycogen described as compact?
Its branched structure can coil; which makes it branched.
STRUCTURE: Starch is….. in shape, making it compact, it’s also… (2)
Helical
- insoluble (no affect on water potential), large so cant leave the cell
Name given to the hydrogen bonds between cellulose chains (forming the microfibrils)?
Crosslinks; provides rigidity
Why can’t humans digest cellulose?
Our digestive enzymes cant break the beta 1,4 glycosidic linkage in cellulose; requires a special enzyme absent in humans.
What kind of energy do lipids store?
Chemical
What is an emulsion?
When small droplets of a substance are suspended in another solution.
Describe how a triglyceride is formed
By condemnation reaction between hydroxyl (OH) group on glycerol and carboxyl (COOH) groups on fatty acids. Eater bond formed. Water molecule produced for each ester bond (so 3).
Is it true tgatvinteractions between the R groups form the 3D tertiary structure?
Yes
What does changing the pH do to an enzyme’s tertiary structure?
Changes number of hydroxide ions and hydrogen ions surrounding, so they may alter the hydrogen and ionic (weaker) bonds between the amino acids.
What structural level of proteins is functional and why
Tertiary: possesses geometric shape held by bonds (list them) showing the necessary loops and bends
Describe the nature of polysaccharides: examples too.
a polymer (which is large substance made up of many repeating monomer units). Many monosaccharides, more than 2: glycosidic bonds by condensation reaction (reverse hydrolysis where broken down into constituent monos.); water by-product.
- starch (in plants and food sources), glycogen and cellulose.
Structure of cellulose
Long straight unbranched chains of beta glucose linked by glycosidic bonds (condensation).
Each chain linked by weak hydrogen bonds (crosslinks) that are only strong when in masses; they form microfibrils (strong fibres).
- Providing strong structural support to cells in cell wall for example.
Function of cellulose in cell wall
Structural: Provide rigidity to plant cell as its unbranched and bonded by many H bonds (crosslinks) between the cellulose molecules AND prevents plant cell bursting as water enters by osmosis.
Starch is found in many parts of a plant in the form of small grains. Which parts of the plant may contain starch?
In the leaf (stroma of chloroplasts) or in underground storage organs like seeds
- seeds are abundant in oils and fats and starch.
Does the storage compound starch have an osmotic effect on the plant cell?
No because the structure allows it to be insoluble; unlike storing just glucose molecules that are soluble
- Needed for respiration; (extra) good to store when needed for times of no photosynthesis, like new growth from seed or at night.
Structure of starch
Mix of 2 polysaccharides: amylase & amylopectin.
Both made from long chain of alpha glucose linked by glycosidic bonds (during condensation).
Structure of amylopectin
(1,6) which makes it branched and (1,4) glycosidic bonds, for the linear chains.
Long and BRANCHED; side branches allow enzymes to hydrolyse the glycosidic bonds easily as there are more ends exposed.
Alpha glucose released quickly when needed.
Structure of amylose
Long and UNBRANCHED; coiled/ helical structure held by hydrogen bonds.
Good to store as can fit more in a small space; its compact.
(1,4) glycosidic linkages