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Biology > 2.1.2 Biological Molecules > Flashcards

2.1.2 Biological Molecules Flashcards

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1
Q

What is the function of Cellulose?

A

Cellulose provides structural support in plant cell walls.

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2
Q

What is the primary structure of proteins

A

The order of the amino acids in the polypeptide chain - this is a polymer

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3
Q

What is the secondary structure of proteins?

A

The sequence of amino acids causes parts of a protein molecule to bend into a α helix shapes or fold into β pleated sheets.

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4
Q

What elements does a Carbohydrate contain

A

Carbon, Hydrogen and Oxygen

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5
Q

What is a conjugated protein?

A

A protein that has a non-protein group added to it.

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6
Q

In Glycogen, what are the bonds between the monomers called?

A

1-4 AND 1-6 glycosidic bonds.

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7
Q

What does Potassium Ions do in the human body?

A

Involved in Stomatal Opening and Nerve Impulse Transmission.

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8
Q

Describe the structure of Starch.

A

Starch is made of α-glucose units in amylose (coiled) and amylopectin (branched) chains.

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9
Q

What is a saturated fatty acid?

A

The hydrocarbon chain has only single bonds between carbons

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10
Q

How are Triglycerides formed?

A

Via condensation reaction between one molecule of glycerol and three molecules of fatty acid

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11
Q

What does Hydrogen Ions do in the human body?

A

Involved in chemiosmosis, pH determination and catalysis of reactions.

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12
Q

What are some properties of triglycerides?

A
  • Can transfer energy
  • Can act as a metabolic water source
  • insoluble in water
  • low in mass
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13
Q

What monomer(s) is glycogen made of?

A

α-glucose

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14
Q

How do you test for Reducing Sugars?

A
  1. Add Benedict’s solution and heat for 5 minutes at 80°C
  2. Positive test: Solution turns from blue to green, yellow, orange or brick red (the more red the higher concentration of reducing sugar)
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15
Q

How do polar/charged molecules dissolve in water?

A

The slight positive charge of the Hydrogen in water will attract any negative solutes, and the slight negative charge of the Oxygen in water will attract any positive ions in solutes.

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16
Q

Explain how the structure of Glycogen helps at its function.

A

Glycogen’s many branches provide multiple ends for enzymes to quickly hydrolyse glucose, allowing fast energy release; its compact, branched structure also makes it efficient for storage in animals.

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17
Q

What are some properties of phospholipids?

A

Hydrophilic head of phospholipid can attract with water as its charged - repels other fats

Fatty acid chains isn’t charged so it’s hydrophobic and it repels water, however it mixes with fats.

They’re polar

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18
Q

Describe how Haemoglobin is a Globular protein and what it does, what it’s made of, etc.

A

Haemoglobin (described on the previous page) is a globular protein responsible for the transport of oxygen. Its four polypeptide chains (2 alpha chains and 2 beta chains) each bind to one molecule of oxygen due to its prosthetic haem group.

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19
Q

What’s the chemical formula for Ribose?

A

C₅H₁₀O₅

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20
Q

What does Sodium Ions do in the human body?

A

Involved in Co-transport, reabsorption of water in kidneys, and nerve impulse transmission.

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21
Q

What must a molecule be to be able to dissolve in water?

A

molecules can only dissolve in water if they’re charged, or polar.

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22
Q

What do hydrogen bonds form between in water?

A

the electropositive hydrogen and electronegative oxygen

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23
Q

Describe how Collagen is a Fibrous protein and what it’s structure is, what it does, etc.

A

Collagen forms part of skin, and many more. Its quaternary structure contains three polypeptide chains, wound around each other. The chains are held by hydrogen and covalent crosslinks between the molecules. Collagen is flexible but not stretchy.

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24
Q

In Cellulose, what are the bonds between the monomers called?

A

1-4 glycosidic bonds.

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25
What bonds are tertiary proteins held by?
1. Hydrophilic and Hydrophobic interactions 2. Hydrogen Bonds 3. Ionic bonds (between R groups) 4. Disulfide Bonds
26
What are some key facts about Fibrous Proteins?
-Stable Structure, -Insoluble in Water, -Long twisted strands formed by polypeptide chains, -Form hydrogen bonds between adjacent chains,
27
How do you test for proteins?
1. Add Biuret solution Positive Test: Solution turns from blue to purple
28
Name some characteristics of lipids.
Non-polar Hydrophobic Insoluble in water Dissolve in organic solvents (e.g ethanol) They’re macromolecules
29
Explain how the structure of Starch helps at its function.
Starch’s branched amylopectin allows rapid hydrolysis because enzymes can work on many chain ends simultaneously, releasing glucose quickly for energy, while the coiled amylose makes starch compact for efficient storage.
30
Describe the structure of Glycogen.
Glycogen is made of highly branched chains of α-glucose.
31
What elements does a Lipid contain?
Carbon, Hydrogen and Oxygen
32
What’s an unsaturated fatty acid?
Hydrocarbon has at least one double bond between the carbon atoms
33
Is Haemoglobin, Insulin and Enzymes Globular or Fibrous Proteins?
Globular
34
What does chloride ions do in the body?
Provide Negative Charge to balance the positive sodium and potassium ions in cells.
35
What are secondary proteins held in place by?
Hydrogen bonds & Peptide bonds
36
Describe how Keratin is a Fibrous protein and what it's structure is, what it does, etc.
Keratin is used to form skin, nails and hair, which all protect the body. It is important it is insoluble so these structures are not broken down by water in the environment.
37
What are some examples of Globular proteins?
All enzymes Antibodies Some hormones, (e.g insulin) Haemoglobin
38
What are phospholipids made up of?
Glycerol, 2 fatty acid chains and a phosphate group
39
How do you test for lipids (emulsions test)?
1. Dissolve sample in ethanol 2. Pour sample on top of distilled water Positive Test: White emulsions forms
40
Are Collagen, Keratin and Elastin Globular or Fibrous proteins?
Fibrous
41
In Starch, what are the bonds between the monomers called?
1-4 glycosidic bonds between amylose and 1-6 glycosidic bonds between amylopectin.
42
Give an example of Quaternary Proteins
Haemoglobin
43
What's a Hydrolisis reaction?
Splitting apart molecules through the addition of a water.
44
Why does water have a high specific heat capacity?
Because a lot of energy is required to break the strong hydrogen bonds between the water molecules.
45
Describe how Elastin is a Fibrous protein and what it's structure is, what it does, etc.
Elastin is a common fibrous protein and makes up elastic fibres around alveoli and blood vessels (arteries, arterioles, venules and veins). It allows these structures to stretch and recoil to their original shape and size.
46
Describe how Insulin is a Globular protein and what it does, what it's made of, etc.
Insulin is a globular protein and the hormone produced by the beta cells in the pancreas to lower blood glucose concentration. Its specific 3D shape is complementary to the receptors on the cell surface membranes of its target cells (liver and muscle cells).
47
What elements does a protein contain?
Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen and Sulfur.
48
What is the difference between a beta glucose and alpha glucose?
In alpha glucose, the -OH on carbon 1 is below the ring whereas in beta glucose, it's above the ring.
49
What do Hydrogencarbonate ions do in the body?
Maintains the pH of blood.
50
What monomer(s) is starch made of?
α-glucose
51
What do hydroxide ions do in the body?
Involved in the catalysis of reactions and regulating pH
52
What are some key facts about Globular Proteins?
-Spherical shape, -Relatively unstable structure, soluble, -Has metabolic functions -Hydrophilic R groups outside and Hydrophobic R groups inside
53
What does Nitrate Ions do?
Absorbed by plants to provide a source of nitrogen to make amino acids.
54
What does Calcium Ions do in the human body?
Involved in Muscle Contraction, and nerve impulse transmission.
55
What is the Test for starch?
Iodine Solution Positive test: Solution turns from orange to blue-black
56
What is cohesion in water?
Water molecules "sticking" together, and moving as one due to hydrogen bonds.
57
What does cholesterol impact in the cell membrane?
Fluidity (Helps reduce at high temperatures and increase at low temperatures)
58
What are some examples of Fibrous Proteins?
-Collagen in bone -Keratin in hair -Elastin in blood vessels
59
What elements does a Nucleic Acid contain?
Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen and Phosphorus
60
What is the general structure of an amino acid?
H R O | | || N-C-C | | | H H O-H
61
Describe the structure of Cellulose.
Cellulose is made of β-glucose units forming straight, unbranched chains linked by hydrogen bonds.
62
Explain how the structure of Cellulose helps at its function.
Cellulose’s straight β-glucose chains form strong hydrogen-bonded microfibrils, giving high tensile strength. It’s insoluble, so it doesn’t affect water potential, helping maintain cell shape and prevent bursting.
63
What is a sterol?
A molecule with 4 carbon rings and a hydroxyl group at one end, where they have both hydrophobic and hydrophilic regions.
64
How many chains do quaternary proteins have?
More than one
65
Describe Enzymes are a Globular protein and what it does, what it's made of, etc.
Enzymes are globular proteins. Pepsin is an example of an enzyme found in the stomach. It is a protease enzyme, able to digest other proteins using its specifically shaped active site which is complementary to its substrate.
66
What does Phosphate Ions do in the body?
Involved in formation of phospholipids for cell membranes, nucleic acids & ATP formation and making bones.
67
Why is water polar
Uneven distribution of charge within the molecule
68
What is a condensation reaction?
Joining 2 molecules together by removing a water
69
What monomer(s) is cellulose made of?
β-glucose
70
What is the function of Starch?
Starch is a storage polysaccharide in plants that stores glucose for energy.
71
What are lipids made up of?
Fatty acids and glycerol. They don’t form polymers.
72
How do you test for non-reducing sugars?
1. Following a negative Benedict's test, where solution remains blue - Add Hydrochloric Acid and boil - Cool the solution then add an alkali (sodium hydroxide) to neutralise - Add Benedict's Solution and heat for 5 minutes at 80°C Positive Test: Solution turns from blue to green, yellow, orange, or brick red (the more red the higher concentration of reducing sugar)
73
What is the function of Glycogen?
Glycogen is a storage polysaccharide in animals that stores glucose for energy.
74
Why is Ice less dense that water?
Because hydrogen bonds hold water molecules in a fixed, open structure when frozen, creating more space between them, allowing less water molecules within a given volume.
75
What does Ammonium Ions do in the human body?
Involved in Nitrogen Cycle, where bacteria convert ammonium ions into nitrate ions.

Biology (2 decks)

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