Biochemistry Flashcards
Differentiate between hydrolysis and dehydration.
Hydrolysis = breaking macromolecules into their products USING WATER Dehydration = molecules into macromolecules RELEASING WATER
Describe the function of lipids.
- energy storage
- cellular organization and structure
- precursor molecules for vitamins and hormones
What class of lipid has most energy storage than any other macromolecule? Why?
Fatty acids because they have long carbon chains
How much energy is produced from fatty acids when oxidized?
9 Kcals
What are triglycerides functions?
- store energy (adipocytes)
- thermal insulation and padding
What are the simplest forms of phospholipids?
phosphatidic acids (phosphatids)
What are sphingolipids? Where are they found?
Instead of a glycerol backbone of a lipid, have an amino alcohol (sphingosine)
-found in membranes
What is cholesterols main functions?
membrane stability/fluidity and precursor to most steroid hormones
What are eicosanoids? Give example of one.
Released from cell membranes as local hormones for regulation of blood pressure, temperature and smooth muscle contraction
-ex = prostaglandins
In regards to lipoproteins, When will the lipoprotein be LESS DENSE? (i.e. a VLDL or LDL)
when there is MORE LIPID than there is PROTEIN
What is the generic molecular formula for carbohydrates?
Cn(H2O)n
Why are carbohydrates good for energy storage too?
They have carbon chains and are easily stackable
Glycogen is what type of carbohydrate?
Branched polymer with alpha-linkages
Which cells in the body absorb glucose AGAINST their concentration gradient?
epithelial cells in the digestive tract and the proxima tubule of the kidney
Differentiate between amylopectin and amylose (2 types of starch).
amylose = branched or not with alpha-linkages amylopectin = always branched
How is cellulose different than glycogen?
Cellulose is only found in plants, and is used as more of a structural material rather than storage, due to their BETA-linkages
Nucleotides are composed of…?
- a 5 carbon pentose sugar
- nitrogenous base
- phosphate group
What are the PURINES? Describe their structure.
Adenine and Guanine
-DOUBLE ringed structure
What are the PYRIMIDINES? Describe their structure.
Cytosine and Thymine
-SINGLE ringed structure
How many bonds are between Adenine and Thymine? Between Guanine and Cytosne?
2 between A and T
3 between G and C
In what direction does the DNA polymerase synthesize DNA?
5’ —> 3’
What is the phosphodiester bond?
bond between the phosphate group of one nucleotide and the 3rd Carbon of pentose sugar on next one.
How is RNA different from DNA?
- 2nd Carbon on pentose is NOT deoxygenated
- single stranded
- contains pyrimidine uracil instead of thymine
- moves through nuclear pores; not contained in nucleus
How does a peptide bond have double bond character?
The Nitrogen likes 4 bonds, and the Oxygen attracts electron density, which gives a partial negative and electrons then delocalize.