Biological molecules Flashcards
(70 cards)
1
Q
What are monomers?
A
Smaller units that can create larger molecules or polymers
2
Q
What are the three examples of monomers?
A
- Glucose
- Amino acids
- Nucleotides
3
Q
What is a condensation reaction?
A
Joining two molecules together, creating a chemical bond, and removing water
4
Q
What does hydrolysis mean?
A
To break apart or split the monomers using water
5
Q
What are the three levels of carbohydrate size?
A
- Monosaccharide
- Disaccharide
- Polysaccharide
6
Q
Name three monosaccharides
A
- Glucose
- Fructose
- Galactose
7
Q
What is a glycosidic bond?
A
The chemical bond that forms between two monosaccharides
8
Q
What are the three disaccharides you need to know?
A
- Sucrose
- Maltose
- Lactose
9
Q
What is the formula for glucose?
A
C6H12O6
10
Q
What is the difference between alpha glucose and beta glucose?
A
Alpha has a hydrogen atom on top and hydroxyl group on bottom at carbon 1; Beta has the positions swapped
11
Q
What is starch primarily used for?
A
A store of glucose providing chemical energy
12
Q
What is the structural function of cellulose?
A
Provides structural strength in the cell wall
13
Q
Where is glycogen primarily stored in animals?
A
In the liver and muscle cells
14
Q
What type of glucose is starch and glycogen made from?
A
Alpha glucose
15
Q
What type of glucose is cellulose made from?
A
Beta glucose
16
Q
What is the bond type for starch and glycogen?
A
- 1-4 glycosidic bonds
- 1-6 glycosidic bonds
17
Q
What is the structure of amylose?
A
An unbranched polymer that coils to form a helix
18
Q
What is the advantage of glycogen’s branched structure?
A
More readily hydrolyzed back into glucose
19
Q
What are triglycerides composed of?
A
- Glycerol
- Three fatty acid chains
20
Q
What is the key difference between triglycerides and phospholipids?
A
Phospholipids have one fatty acid chain replaced by a phosphate group
21
Q
What type of bond forms between glycerol and fatty acids in triglycerides?
A
Ester bond
22
Q
What distinguishes saturated fatty acids from unsaturated fatty acids?
A
Saturated have no double bonds; unsaturated have at least one double bond between carbon atoms
23
Q
What is the main function of triglycerides?
A
Energy storage
24
Q
What is a dipeptide?
A
Two amino acids bonded together
25
What type of bond forms between amino acids in a polypeptide?
Peptide bond
26
What is the primary structure of a protein?
The order or sequence of amino acids in a polypeptide chain
27
What holds the secondary structure of proteins in place?
Hydrogen bonds
28
What types of bonds hold the tertiary structure of proteins together?
* Ionic bonds
* Hydrogen bonds
* Disulfide bonds
29
What determines the 3D shape of a protein?
The primary structure and the location of bonds
30
What is the primary structure of a protein?
The sequence of amino acids in a polypeptide chain
## Footnote
This sequence determines the protein's properties and function.
31
What holds the secondary structure of a protein in place?
Hydrogen bonds
## Footnote
Secondary structure includes alpha helices and beta sheets.
32
What determines the tertiary structure of a protein?
The primary structure, which determines the location of ionic, hydrogen, and disulfide bonds
## Footnote
These bonds contribute to the unique 3D shape of the protein.
33
What is quaternary structure in proteins?
The structure formed by more than one polypeptide chain
## Footnote
It retains the same bonds as tertiary structure but involves multiple chains.
34
What is the function of enzymes?
To catalyze reactions by lowering the activation energy
## Footnote
Enzymes are proteins with a specific 3D shape that determines their function.
35
What model explains how enzymes work?
Induced fit model
## Footnote
This model states that the enzyme's active site changes shape to mold around the substrate.
36
What factors affect the rate of an enzyme-controlled reaction?
Temperature, pH, substrate concentration, enzyme concentration, and inhibitors
## Footnote
Each factor plays a critical role in enzyme activity.
37
What happens to enzyme activity at low temperatures?
Reduced kinetic energy leads to fewer successful collisions between enzyme and substrate
## Footnote
This results in a lower rate of reaction.
38
What is enzyme denaturation?
The loss of the enzyme's unique 3D shape due to breaking of bonds
## Footnote
This can occur due to extreme pH levels or high temperatures.
39
What is the effect of competitive inhibitors on enzyme activity?
They bind to the active site, preventing substrate binding
## Footnote
Their effect can be overcome by increasing substrate concentration.
40
What is the function of non-competitive inhibitors?
They bind to the allosteric site, changing the active site's shape
## Footnote
This prevents substrate binding regardless of substrate concentration.
41
What is the biochemical test for starch?
Add iodine; positive result turns from orangey-brown to blue-black
## Footnote
This indicates the presence of starch.
42
What is the positive result for reducing sugars using Benedict's reagent?
Color change from blue to green, yellow, orange, or brick red
## Footnote
The color intensity indicates the concentration of reducing sugar.
43
What is the method for testing non-reducing sugars?
First perform the Benedict's test; if blue, then add acid, boil, cool, neutralize, and retest with Benedict's
## Footnote
Positive result turns from blue to orange or brick red.
44
What color indicates the presence of proteins in the Biuret test?
Purple
## Footnote
The test starts with a blue solution that changes color in the presence of proteins.
45
What does a positive lipid test look like?
A white emulsion
## Footnote
This is observed after dissolving the sample in ethanol and adding distilled water.
46
What is the function of DNA?
Contains the genetic code and can be passed on to new cells and generations
## Footnote
DNA is essential for heredity and cellular function.
47
What is the structure of DNA?
A polymer made of two polynucleotide chains forming a double helix
## Footnote
Each nucleotide consists of a phosphate group, deoxyribose sugar, and nitrogenous bases.
48
What are the nitrogenous bases in DNA?
* Adenine
* Thymine
* Cytosine
* Guanine
## Footnote
Base pairing occurs between adenine & thymine and cytosine & guanine.
49
What is the process of DNA replication called?
Semi-conservative replication
## Footnote
Each new DNA molecule consists of one original and one new strand.
50
Which enzyme breaks hydrogen bonds during DNA replication?
DNA helicase
## Footnote
This enzyme unwinds the DNA double helix.
51
What is ATP and its function?
Adenosine triphosphate; immediate source of energy for biological processes
## Footnote
ATP is crucial for metabolism and energy transfer.
52
How is ATP synthesized?
Through a condensation reaction between ADP and inorganic phosphate using ATP synthase
## Footnote
This occurs during cellular respiration.
53
What happens when ATP is hydrolyzed?
It releases energy, forming ADP and inorganic phosphate
## Footnote
The reaction is catalyzed by ATP hydrolase.
54
What are the five key properties of water?
* Cohesion
* High specific heat capacity
* High latent heat of vaporization
* Solvent properties
* Density
## Footnote
These properties are crucial for biological functions and processes.
55
What is the significance of water in biological systems?
Water makes up about 60 to 70% of the body and is crucial due to its unique properties.
56
What are the five key properties of water?
* Water as a metabolite
* Water as a solvent
* High heat capacity
* Large latent heat of vaporization
* Strong cohesion
57
What does it mean that water is a metabolite?
Water is involved in chemical reactions, including condensation and hydrolysis.
58
Why is water described as a good solvent?
Because of its dipolar nature, allowing it to dissolve solutes for transport in the body.
59
What is the role of water's high heat capacity?
It takes a lot of energy to raise the temperature, helping to buffer body temperature.
60
What is the significance of water's large latent heat of vaporization?
It provides a cooling effect when water evaporates, such as during sweating.
61
What is cohesion in the context of water?
Cohesion is the sticking together of water molecules due to hydrogen bonds.
62
How does cohesion benefit plants?
It allows for a continuous column of water to move up the xylem.
63
What are inorganic ions and where can they be found?
Ions can occur in solution in bodily fluids like cytoplasm and blood.
64
What role do hydrogen ions play in biological systems?
They can alter the pH of a solution, affecting enzymes and hemoglobin.
65
What is the function of iron ions?
Iron ions are a component of hemoglobin and are involved in oxygen transport.
66
What is the role of sodium ions in the body?
* Co-transport of glucose and amino acids
* Involved in action potentials
67
Where are phosphate ions found and why are they important?
Phosphate ions are found in DNA, RNA, and ATP; they form phosphodiester bonds and enhance reactivity.
68
Fill in the blank: Water is described as being _______ due to its charge distribution.
[polar or dipolar]
69
True or False: Water has a low heat capacity, making it easy to change its temperature.
False
70
What is the importance of the bore effect in relation to hydrogen ions?
It relates to how hydrogen ions affect hemoglobin's oxygen transport.
