Biochemistry Flashcards
(23 cards)
Carbohydrates (Monomer, elements, functions, examples)
- Monosaccharide
- C, H,O 1:2:1
- Quick energy and structure
- Cellulose, Starch, and Glucose
Protein (Monomer, elements, functions, examples, )
- Amino Acid
- C, H, O, N
- Enzymes, structural support, transport
- Hemoglobin, Insulin and Enzymes
Lipids (Monomer, elements, functions, examples)
- Glycerol + Fatty Acids
- C, H, O
- Energy storage, insulation, hormones
- Fats, oils, phospholipids, steriods
Nucleic Acids (Monomer, elements, functions, examples, structure behaviour)
- Nucleotides
- C, H, O, N, P
- Genetic info storage (DNA)
Protein Synthesis, (RNA) - DNA, RNA, ATP
- Double Helix (DNA), single strand (RNA)
- Stores (transfers) genetic info
What are the 4 main biochemical reactions?
hydrolysis, condensation, redox, neutralization,
Hydrolosis?
- Breaks macromolecules into monomers by adding water
- Ex: Protein -> Amino Acids
- Reaction: AB + H2O -> A + B
Condensation?
- Joins monomers by removing water to form polymers
- Ex: Glucose + Glucose -> Maltose + H2O
- Reaction: A + B -> AB + H2O
Redox?
- Involves the transfer of electrons
- Oxidation = Loss of electrons
- Reduction = Gain of electrons
- Ex; cellular respiration (glucose is oxidized and oxygen is reduced)
Neutralization?
- Reaction between an acid and a base to form a salt and water
- Ex: HCL + NaOH -> NaCl + H2O
- important for maintaining pH balance in cells
What is an enzyme?
Special proteins that speed up chemical reactions in your body. Without them, most reactions would happen too slowly for you to survive.
How do enzymes work?
Every enzyme has a special shape that fits only certain molecules — kind of like a lock and key. The molecule it works on is called a substrate.
The enzyme grabs onto the substrate, helps the reaction happen faster, and then lets it go — ready to be used again.
What do enzymes do?
Lower activation energy – that means they make it easier for a reaction to happen.
Speed things up – they help reactions happen in seconds instead of hours.
What affects enzymes?
Temperature – too hot or too cold can slow them down or break them.
pH – if it’s too acidic or too basic, they might stop working.
Concentration – more enzyme or more substrate can speed things up.
What stops enzymes?
Competitive inhibitors – these are molecules that pretend to be the substrate and block the enzyme.
Non-competitive inhibitors – these change the enzyme’s shape so it can’t work properly.
Examples of enzymes?
Amylase – in your saliva, breaks down starch into sugar.
Lactase – breaks down lactose (milk sugar).
DNA polymerase – helps copy DNA.
What are the componenets of the Fluid Mosaic Model?
Describes membrane as fluid (phospholipids move) and a mosaic (proteins embedded).
Components:
Phospholipid bilayer: hydrophilic heads, hydrophobic tails
Proteins: transport, receptor, enzymes
Cholesterol: maintains fluidity
Carbohydrate chains: cell recognition
Name all types of transport mechanisms in the fluid mosiac model:
Passive, Active, Primary Active, Secondary, facilitated diffusion, osmosis,
What is Passive Transport?
- Moves substances from high → low concentration
- Ex: Diffusion, osmosis, facilitated diffusion
- Doesn’t use energy
What is Primary Active Transport?
- Direct use of ATP
- moves molecules against their concentration gradient (from low to high concentration)
- Uses energy
What is Active Transport?
- Moves substances from low → high using ATP
- Uses Energy
- Ex: Sodium-Potassium pump
What is Secondary Active Transport?
- No direct ATP used
- relies on energy stored in the movement of another molecule
- Uses Energy
What is Facilitated Diffusion?
- Passive transport – no energy required
- Molecules move with the concentration gradient (high → low)
- Uses channel or carrier proteins in the membrane
- Helps large or charged molecules (like glucose or ions) that can’t cross the membrane on their own
What is Osmosis?
- Water diffusion across the membrane
- Ex: Water moving to dilute solutes
- Doesnt use energy
