2.1 Molecules to Metabolism Flashcards

1
Q

Define molecular biology

A

A field of study that investigates biological activity on a molecular level

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2
Q

Define an organic compound

A

Contains carbon and is in living things

except carbides, carbonate, oxides of carbon and cyanides

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3
Q

What is the common ratio for carbohydrates?

A

(CH2O)n

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4
Q

Which is the most abundant hydrocarbon?

A

Carbohydrates

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5
Q

What are the functions of carbohydrates?

A

Short-term energy storage
Important recognition molecules
As a structural components (DNA/RNA)

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6
Q

What are properties of lipids?

A

Non-polar

Hydrophobic

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7
Q

Why are lipids good for storage of energy?

A

They are hydrophobic and thus do not absorb water

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8
Q

What are the functions of lipids?

A

Part of a cell membrane
Long-term storage molecule
Signalling molecule (steroids)

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9
Q

What are the building blocks for DNA and RNA?

A

Nucleic acids

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10
Q

What is the function of DNA?

A

A master code for protein assembly

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11
Q

What is the function of RNA?

A

Plays an active role in the manufacturing of proteins

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12
Q

What are the functions of proteins?

A

Involved in catalysis
Structural molecules
Cellular signalling

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13
Q

What is the polymer of lipids?

A

Triglyceride

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14
Q

What is the monomer of lipids?

A

Fatty acids

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15
Q

What is the monomer of carbohydrates?

A

Monosaccharide

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16
Q

What are the 2 main types of sugars?

A

Pentose and Hexose

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17
Q

What type of sugar is glucose?

A

Hexose

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18
Q

What type of sugar is ribose?

A

Pentose

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19
Q

Name 2 types of glucose?

A

a - D glucose

B - D glucose

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20
Q

Describe the structure of an a - D glucose

A

The 1 C has an OH facing downwards (all OH face down)

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21
Q

Describe the structure of a B - D glucose

A

The 1 C has an OH facing upwards

22
Q

Describe the structure of lipids

A

There is no set structure as it varies. However, many do contain fatty acid chains as a part of this overall structure.

23
Q

Describe the structure of a fatty acid

A

Has a C=O-OH end (carboxyl group) and the rest is a simple alkane hydrocarbon structure

24
Q

What do we call an amino acid polymer?

A

Polypeptide

25
Q

Describe an amino acid

A

Has an amine group (N-H2) and a carboxyl group (C=O-OH) on ether end coming off a central carbon. This carbon also has a H molecule and a variable R molecule bonded to it.

26
Q

What is the monomer of nucleic acid?

A

Nucleotide

27
Q

Describe a generalised structure of a generalised nucleotide

A

A phosphate group, bonded to a ribose sugar, bonded to a nitrogenous base

28
Q

What do we call a polymer made of sugars?

A

Polysaccharide

29
Q

Name 3 polymers of glucose

A

Glycogen
Cellulose
Starch

30
Q

What are the 3 categories of lipids?

A

Simple (neutral) lipids
Compound lipids
Derived lipids

31
Q

What are simple (neutral) lipids?

A

Esters of fatty acids and alcohol (e.g. triglycerides and waxes)

32
Q

What are compound lipids?

A

Esters of fatty acids, alcohol and additional groups (e.g. phospholipids and glycolipids)

33
Q

What are derived proteins?

A

Substances derived from simple or compound lipids (e.g. steroids and carotenoids)

34
Q

Describe the structure of a triglyceride

A

A glycerol molecule with 3 fatty acids attached

35
Q

Describe the structure of a phospholipid

A

A glycerol with 2 fatty acids attached and one phosphate group

36
Q

Describe the rough structure of a steroid

A

Made of fused hydrocarbon rings

37
Q

What type of bond holds amino acids together?

A

Peptide bonds between amine and carboxyl groups of adjacent amino acids

38
Q

How do dipeptides form?

A

Amino acids undergo condensation

39
Q

What is vitalism

A

A doctrine that dictated that organic molecules could only be synthesised by living systems

40
Q

When and how was vitalism disproved?

A

1828 - Fredrick Woehler heated inorganic salt and produced urea

41
Q

Define metabolism

A

Describes the totality of chemical processes that occur within an organism to maintain life

42
Q

What are the functions of metabolic reactions?

A

Provide energy for cellular purposes

Enable the synthesis of new materials within the cell

43
Q

Define an anabolic reaction?

A

Describes the set of metabolic reactions that build up the complex molecules from simpler ones

44
Q

Via what mechanism do anabolic reactions usually occur?

A

Condensation reactions

45
Q

What joins monosaccharides?

A

Glyosidic linkages

46
Q

What joins amino acids?

A

Peptide bonds

47
Q

What joins glycerol and fatty acids?

A

Ester linkages

48
Q

What does 1 glycerol and 3 fatty acids form?

A

A triglyceride

49
Q

What joins nucleotides?

A

Phosphodiester bond

50
Q

What is characteristic about a condensation reaction?

A

Water is released

51
Q

Define catabolic reactions

A

Describes the set of metabolic reactions that break complex molecules down into simpler molecules

52
Q

Via what mechanism do catabolic reactions usually occur?

A

Hydrolysis reaction