1- Biological Molecules Flashcards
(44 cards)
monomer=
smaller units from which larger molecules (polymers) are made
polymers are held together by=
covalent bonds
monomer e.g.s
amino acids, nucleotides, monosaccharides
condensation reactions=
joining of 2 molecules by forming a chemical bond and eliminating 1 x H20
hydrolysis reaction=
breaking of a chemical bond between 2 molecules & involves addition of 1xH20
monosaccharide
monomers from which larger carbohydrates are made
monosaccharides e.g.s
glucose, galactose, fructose
Polysaccharides are held together by:
glycosidic bonds
disaccharides=
- maltose (glucose+glucose)
- sucrose (glucose+fructose)
- lactose (glucose + galactose)
what are the 2 isomers of glucose?
- a-glucose
- B-glucose
what is an isomer?
two or more compounds with the same molecular formula, but different arrangement of atoms
a vs b arrangement
a b
H O H H O H
HO OH HO H
which polysaccharide(s) are formed from a condensation of a-glucose?
glycogen & starch
which polysaccharide(s) are formed from a condensation reaction of B-glucose?
cellulose
polysaccharide features (2)
- can be branched or unbranched
- chain may contain different types of monosaccharides
Starch- functions (2)
- main energy storage in plants (in seeds)
- can act as food source for humans
- broken down into glucose by plants when they need energy
Starch- features (1)
- does not change water potential in a cell because its insoluble in water
2 types of starch =
- amylose
2. amylopectin
amylose vs amylopectin
amylose= unbranched, good for energy storage amylopectin= branched, good for energy release
glycogen structure (2)
- compact (so good storage molecule)
- highly branched (so can be easily converted to glucose)
cellulose structure=
- long chain of B-glucose
- B-glucose molecules linked by glycosidic bonds to form LINEAR cellulose chains that are unbranched
what are myofibrils
strong fibres made up of many cellulose chains that are held together by H bonds
how does cellulose provide structural support to plants
because of the strength of myofibril fibres they are composed of
digestion of cellulose=
- broken down by human digestive enzymes
- herbivores can digest cellulose rich plant material