Biological Molecules Flashcards
(90 cards)
Monomer
Small molecules
Joins to other similar or identical monomers
To form larger complex molecules
Called polymers
Polymers
Large complex units
Consisting of repeating chains of 3 or more similar or identical monomers
Joined together by chemical bonds
Condensation reaction
Anabolic process
Making large molecules from smaller ones
New chemical bond joining molecules as a molecule of water is released
Hydrolysis reaction
Catabolic process
Breaks large molecules into small ones
Chemical bond broken as a molecule of water is added
What is the difference between chitin and other polysaccharides
Chitin is nitrogenous
How does amylose make starch adapted for its function
Carbon 1:4 glycosidic bonds Form long linear chains That coil into a helix Compact So good for storage Can store a lot in a small space
What is starch
A carbohydrate of 2 polysaccharides of alpha glucose called amylose and amylopectin
How does amylopectin make starch adapted for its function
Branched chain Branches caused by carbon 1:4 and 1:6 glycosidic bonds Large surface area Rapid hydrolysis by enzymes To release glucose for respiration
Starch adaptations
Insoluble so doesn’t affect the water potential of cell
Large molecule so doesn’t diffuse out of cell
Helical/compact so stores a lot in a small space
Branched so large surface area and rapid hydrolysis
How do glycogen and starch act as energy stores
Can be hydrolysed to glucose
Glucose using to release energy through respiration
Glycogen adaptations
Highly branched structure for large surface area for rapid hydrolysis by enzymes to release Glucose for respiration
Insoluble so doesn’t affect the water potential of cells
Large so doesn’t diffuse out of cells
What is cellulose
A beta glucose polysaccharide
Formed from condensation reactions to form long unbranched chains of beta glucose
Joined by beta 1:4 glycosidic bonds
Cellulose structure
Long unrbanched chains Joined by beta 1:4 glycosidic bonds Every other molecule inverted 180° To allow weak hydrogen bonds to form between straight chains Making strong macrofibrills Wound together to make cellulose fibres Providing strength and support in plant cell walls Resist turger pressure, osmotic pressure
Why can’t humans digest cellulose
Human digestive system cannot break down the beta 1:4 glycosidic linkage in cellulose
Since it requires a specific enzyme absent in humans
What is a triglyceride
Type of lipid
Made of one molecule of glycerol joined by ester bonds to 3 fatty acids
Not a polymer since not made of similar monomers
Where are triglycerides found
Waxy cuticle of plants and insects (waterproof)
Aquatic organisms (less dense than water so organisms can stay buoyant)
Blubber in whales/seals (thermal insulator conducts heat slowly and reduces heat loss)
Stored around delicate organs (for shock absorption to protect organs from internal damage)
Saturated fatty acid
Fatty acid with no double bonds/only single bonds between carbon atoms of the hydrocarbon chain
Maximum number of hydrogen and so chain lies flat/no kink
Unsaturated fatty acid
One or more double bonds between carbon atoms in the hydrocarbon chain of a fatty acid
Causing a kink in the chain and not the maximum number of hydrogens
Can’t pack together tightly
Saturated vs unsaturated fatty acids
Both have a hydrogen chain
Saturated fatty acids only have single bonds between carbons
Unsaturated have one or more double bonds between carbons
Saturated are fully saturated with hydrogen/have maximum number of hydrogen
Unsaturated not fully saturated with hydrogen and don’t have maximum number of hydrogens
Double bond causes a kink in the chain of unsaturated fatty acids but saturated lies flat
What lipids are solids at r.t.p
Saturated lipids
Single bonds means no kinks in hydrocarbon tail
So lie flat and can pack tightly together as solids
What lipids are liquid at r.t.p
Unsaturated lipids with one or more double bonds in fatty acid tail/hydrocarbon chain
Because the kink causes the chains to be unable to pack tightly together hence liquid
E.g oil
Phospholipid
A type of lipid
Consisting of a molecule of glycerol
Bonded to a phosphate group
And go two molecules of glycerol by ester bonds
Phospholipid function
Main component of cell membranes
Forming the phospholipid bilayer
Explain the structure and interaction of phospholipids
Phosphoglycerol head is hydrophilic because it is polar (-ve) and so attracts water
The fatty acids are hydrophobic and so repel water
In water they form small droplet called micelles
The hydrophobic tails orientate into the middle and the hydrophilic heads outwards towards the water