biological molecules Flashcards
(24 cards)
What is an organelle?
An aggregate of macromolecules which are used for a specific function within a cell
What are monosaccharides made up of?
A carbon chain with hydroxyl groups and one carbonyl
Which direction is light rotated when passing through D-glucose?
Right
How do monosaccharides form cyclic structures?
Condensation reaction between aldehyde/ketone end with a hydroxyl group on the same molecule
Name one use for the sulphated sugar heparin
Anticoagulant
What other group do amino-sugars contain?
An NH2, often acylated
What is an oligosaccharide?
A polymer made up of 3-12 monosaccharides
How does a glycosidic bond form?
Carbonyl reacts with OH or NH group (condensation)
What is the structure of a proteoglycan?
Long unbranched polysaccharides radiating from a core protein
What is the function of glycogen?
Storage of carbohydrates in animals
What is the function of starch?
Storage of carbohydrates in plants
What is the structure of a lipid?
Straight carbon chain with a methyl group and a carboxyl group at the ends
How does the melting point of a lipid change as unsaturation increases?
Decreases
What does ‘omega 9’ tell you about a lipid
It is unsaturated at bond 9
How are double bonds usually spaced in an unsaturated fatty acid?
Every third C
What are phosphoacylglycerols derived from?
Phosphatidic acid, formed from fatty acids esterified to glycerol, phosphorylated at 3C
What are sphingolipids derived from?
Ceramide
How are eicosanoids synthesised?
From eicosanoic acids (20C) with double bonds at 3, 4, and 5
What is a use for eiconasoids?
Anti inflammatory drugs
Name two purines
Adenine and Guanine
Name two pyramidines
Thymine and Cytosine (also Uracil)
What is the structure of an amino acid?
A carboxyl, amino group and side chain
Which part of an amino acid determines polarity?
The side chain
Which part of an amino acid determines its charge?
All 3 parts
