Week 1: Major classes of organic molecules and their functions Flashcards
What is a molecule?
A group of atoms bonded together, representing the smallest unit of a chemical compound with its distinct properties.
What are organic molecules, and what are the major categories of organic molecules?
Organic molecules are molecules that contain carbon.
The four major categories are:
* Carbohydrates
* Lipids
* Protiens
* Nucleic acids
What are carbohydrates? And what are their function?
A type of organic compound composed of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen.
Carbohydrates serve as a primary source of energy for living organisms.
They play a vital role in:
* Cell signalling.
* Maintaining cell structure of certain tissues.
* Assisting in synthesising other essential molecules.
What are the major forms of carbohydrates?
- Sugars
- Starches
- Glycogen
What are the 3 major groups of carbohydrates based on the size of the molecules?
- Monosaccharides (sugars)
- Glucose
- Fructose
- Galactose
- Disaccharides (starches)
- Lactose
- Sucrose
- Maltose
- Polysaccharides
- Glycogen
How many carbon atoms, and how are they arranged, in monosaccharides?
Monosaccharides contain a single chain of carbon atoms between 3-7 long.
What are dissacharides made up of, and how many carbon atoms do they contain?
Disaccharides are made from 2 monosaccharides joined together.
They contain 12 carbon atoms, and have the general formula C12H22O11.
What are the 3 important dissacharides in nutrition and what are they composed of?
- Maltose (malt sugar): Glucose+glucose
- Sucrose (table sugar): Glucose+fructose
- Lactose (milk sugar): Glucose+galactose
How many monosaccharides do polysaccharide molecules typically contain? And what is the main polysaccharide in the human body?
Polysaccharide molecules contain tens to hundreds of monosaccharides.
The main polysaccharide in the human body is glycogen, which is stored in the liver and skeletal muscle.
What is the process that forms disaccharides by combining monosaccharides?
Dehydration synthesis
What are lipids?
A diverse class of molecules that are essential for energy storage, cell membrane structure and signalling.
Types of lipids include fats, oils and phospholipids,
Phospholipids are a type of lipid with a hydrophilic (attracting water) head and hydrophobic (repelling water) tails, forming the basic structure of cell membranes.
What percentage of lean adult body mass is made up of lipids?
Lipids make up 18-25% of lean body mass in adults.
What are the 4 major types of lipids?
- Fatty acids
- Triglycerides
- Phospholipids
- Steroids
What are the 2 main functions of fatty acids?
- Generate ATP (adenosine triphosphate) - chemical energy.
- Forms triglycerides and phospholipids.
What are the 3 main functions of triglycerides?
- Protection
- Insulation
- Store energy
What is the main function of phospholipids?
Phospholipids are the main component of cell membranes.
What are the main steriods in the body, and what are their functions?
- Bile salts: Break down fats and aid digestion.
- Vitamin D: Bone growth and strength.
- Cholesterol: Other steroids are synthesised from cholesterol.
- Adrenal hormones: regulating body functions.
- Sex hormones: regulating reproductive function.
What are proteins?
Proteins are macromolecules made up of amino acid chains, crucial for cellular functions including enzymatic reactions, structural support and signalling.
What are proteins largely responsible for?
The structure of body tissues.
What are the building blocks of proteins?
Proteins are composed of building blocks of amino acids, which form a chain to make a specific 3D shape.
What are the 6 types of proteins.
- Contractile
- Catalytic
- Regulatory
- Immunological
- Structural
- Transport
What are structural proteins, and an example of one?
Structural proteins form the framework of the body.
An example is collagen - bone, or keratin - nails and hair.
What are regulatory proteins, and what is an example of one?
Regulatory proteins regulate physiological processes such as growth and development.
An example is hormones - insulin, or neurotransmitters.
What are contractile proteins, and what is an example of one?
Contractile proteins contract muscle cells to create movement.
An example is myosins.
What are immunological proteins, and what is an example of one?
Immunological proteins protect the body.
An example is antibodies, or interleukins.
What are transport proteins, and what is an example of one?
Transport proteins carry vital substances through the body.
An example is haemoglobin.
What are catalytic proteins, and what is an example of one?
Catalytic proteins regulate biochemical reactions.
An example of these are enzymes such as ATPase, amylase, sucrase.
What are the 4 levels of structural organisation among proteins?
- Primary: The sequence of amino acids in a protein.
- Secondary: The local arrangement of the protein’s backbone atoms.
- Tertiary: The 3D structure of the protein chain.
- Quarterny: The arrangement of sub-units in a multi-sub-unit protein.
How many different types of amino acids are there in the human body?
There are 20 different amino acid types in the human body.
How many amino acids are essential, and how many are non-essential?
10 amino acids are essential,
10 are non-essential.
What is denaturation, and what can cause it?
Denaturation is the process by which proteins unfold or break up their 3D shape.
It can be caused by chemical action, heat, or agitation, which can occur if the temperature and composition of body fluids exceed homeostatic limits.
What are nucleic acids?
Nucleic acids are biological macromolecules, including DNA and RNA. They are responsible for storing and transmitting genetic information.
What is the function of DNA?
DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid) contains your genetic material, and plays a crucial role in determining your unique traits and characteristics.
What is the function of RNA?
RNA (Ribonucleic Acid) plays a vital role in translating DNA’s instructions into functional proteins, ensuring the proper functioning of cellular machinery.
