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Biology > Chapter 2️⃣ : Biological Molecules > Flashcards

Chapter 2️⃣ : Biological Molecules Flashcards

(90 cards)

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1
Q

Define the term monomer

A

A simple molecule that is a basic building block for polymer synthesis.

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2
Q

Define the term polymer

A

Giant molecules made up of many repeating monomers.

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3
Q

Define the term macromolecule

A

Large biological molecules, such as polysaccharides, proteins, and nucleic acids.

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4
Q

Define the term monosaccharide

A

A single sugar molecule, water soluble and sweet, with the general formula (CH2O)n.

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5
Q

Define the term disaccharide

A

A carbohydrate formed from joining two monosaccharides.

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6
Q

Define the term polysaccharide

A

Carbohydrates that consist of many monosaccharides joined together by glycosidic bonds.

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7
Q

What role do covalent bonds play in polymers?

A

Covalent bonds join smaller molecules together to form polymers.

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8
Q

List the four most common elements in living organisms

A
  • Hydrogen (H)
  • Carbon (C)
  • Oxygen (O)
  • Nitrogen (N)
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9
Q

What is the general formula for carbohydrates?

A

Cx(H2O)y

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10
Q

What are the three main groups of carbohydrates?

A
  • Monosaccharides
  • Disaccharides
  • Polysaccharides
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11
Q

What forms the ring structures in monosaccharides?

A

Carbon 1 (C1) joins with carbon 5 (C5).

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12
Q

What is the difference between α-glucose and β-glucose?

A

The orientation of the hydroxyl group (-OH) on carbon 1.

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13
Q

What is the main function of monosaccharides?

A

Main source of energy in respiration.

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14
Q

What type of bond is formed during condensation when creating disaccharides?

A

Glycosidic bond.

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15
Q

What reaction breaks down disaccharides into monosaccharides?

A

Hydrolysis.

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16
Q

What is sucrose classified as?

A

A non-reducing sugar.

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17
Q

How does the Benedict’s test indicate the presence of reducing sugars?

A

It reduces soluble blue copper sulfate to insoluble brick-red copper oxide.

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18
Q

What is the structure of starch made of?

A
  • Amylose
  • Amylopectin
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19
Q

What type of glucose molecules compose starch?

A

α-glucose molecules.

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20
Q

What is the structure of amylose?

A

Unbranched, 1,4 linked α-glucose molecules in a helical structure.

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21
Q

What is the structure of amylopectin?

A

Branched, containing 1,4 linked α-glucose and 1,6 linkages.

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22
Q

What is the main polysaccharide in plant cell walls?

A

Cellulose.

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23
Q

How are cellulose molecules arranged?

A

Linear chains linked by 1,4-glycosidic bonds with hydrogen bonds between chains.

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24
Q

What is the difference in solubility between polysaccharides and monosaccharides?

A

Polysaccharides are insoluble in water, while monosaccharides are water soluble.

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25
What is the result of the iodine test for starch?
A blue-black color.
26
Fill in the blank: The breakdown of sucrose requires _______ hydrolysis.
acid
27
True or False: Glycogen is found in plants.
False
28
What is the main storage polysaccharide in animals?
Glycogen.
29
What are the similarities between glycogen and amylopectin?
Both are made of α-glucose and have branched structures.
30
What are the differences between glycogen and amylopectin?
* Glycogen has more branches * Glycogen is found in animals, amylopectin in plants.
31
What type of bonds are formed between adjacent β-glucose in cellulose?
Hydrogen bonds.
32
What is the role of hydrogen bonds in cellulose structure?
They provide strength and stability to the plant cell wall.
33
What is a dipole?
An unequal distribution of charge within a molecule.
34
What is a hydrogen bond?
The attraction between the negatively charged oxygen of one water molecule and the positively charged hydrogen of another.
35
What are polysaccharides?
Carbohydrates made up of many monosaccharides.
36
What is cellulose?
A polysaccharide that makes up microfibrils in plant cell walls.
37
What percentage of the cell wall does cellulose constitute?
20-40%.
38
What is the general formula for amylose?
(C6H10O5)n.
39
Which molecule is formed by glucose and is a type of carbohydrate?
Starch.
40
What is the role of amylose in plants?
It serves as a storage form of energy.
41
What are triglycerides?
A type of lipid made up of one glycerol and three fatty acids.
42
What is an ester bond?
The bond formed during the reaction between glycerol and fatty acids to form triglycerides.
43
What distinguishes saturated fatty acids from unsaturated fatty acids?
Saturated fatty acids contain no double bonds, while unsaturated fatty acids contain at least one double bond.
44
What is the function of triglycerides in living organisms?
They serve as energy reserves, provide insulation, and contribute to buoyancy.
45
What are phospholipids composed of?
A glycerol backbone, a phosphate group, and two fatty acid chains.
46
What is the main feature of phospholipids?
They are amphipathic, having both hydrophilic and hydrophobic parts.
47
What test is used to detect lipids?
Emulsion test.
48
What is the primary structure of proteins?
The sequence of amino acids linked in a linear chain.
49
What is a peptide bond?
The bond formed between two amino acids during protein synthesis.
50
What holds the secondary structure of proteins together?
Hydrogen bonds between carboxyl and amino groups.
51
What are the two types of secondary structures in proteins?
* α-helix * β-pleated sheet
52
What defines tertiary structure in proteins?
The specific 3D shape formed by the folding of the secondary structure.
53
What is quaternary structure?
The structure formed when more than one polypeptide chain joins together.
54
What are the four types of interactions that hold protein molecules in shape?
* Hydrophobic interactions * Hydrogen bonding * Ionic bonding * Covalent bonding (disulfide bonds)
55
What is the role of enzymatic proteins?
To speed up chemical reactions.
56
What are storage proteins?
Proteins that store amino acids for later use.
57
What is the function of defensive proteins?
To protect against disease.
58
What role do transport proteins play?
They transport substances across membranes.
59
What is the function of hormonal proteins?
To coordinate an organism's activities.
60
What is the role of contractile proteins?
To facilitate movement.
61
What do receptor proteins do?
They respond to chemical stimuli.
62
What is the function of structural proteins?
To provide support.
63
What are structural proteins?
Proteins that provide support ## Footnote Examples include keratin, collagen, and elastin.
64
What is an example of a structural protein found in hair?
Keratin
65
What is the function of collagen and elastin proteins?
Provide a fibrous framework in animal connective tissues
66
Which molecules contain C=O bonds?
1. amino acids 2. fatty acids 3. Glycerol
67
What happens to proteins when mixed with some organic solvents?
Hydrophobic interactions and hydrogen bonding are changed
68
What levels of protein structure would be affected by changes in hydrogen bonding?
Secondary and tertiary structures
69
What bonds can hold the quaternary structure of proteins together?
Hydrogen bonds, ionic bonds, and disulfide bridges
70
What are the similarities between α-helix and β-pleated sheet?
Both are forms of secondary structure in proteins
71
What is the sequence of amino acids in a protein called?
Primary structure
72
What is formed when three amino acids combine apart from the tripeptide?
Water molecule
73
What defines globular proteins?
Generally soluble and have physiological roles
74
What defines fibrous proteins?
Generally insoluble and have structural roles
75
What is the structure of haemoglobin?
Composed of two α-globin chains, two β-globin chains, and a haem group
76
What role does iron play in haemoglobin?
It binds to oxygen in the haem group
77
How does sickle cell anaemia occur?
Glutamic acid (polar) is substituted with valine (non-polar)
78
What is collagen's primary structural role?
Provides structural support in skin, tendons, cartilage, bones, and teeth
79
What is the significance of glycine in collagen?
Almost every third amino acid is glycine, allowing close association of polypeptides
80
What is the structure formed by collagen molecules?
Triple helix
81
What type of bonds link collagen fibrils together?
Covalent bonds and hydrogen bonds
82
What is Biuret's test used for?
To detect the presence of proteins
83
What happens to a protein during denaturation?
It loses its shape and ability to function
84
What factors can cause denaturation of proteins?
pH and temperature
85
What is the specific heat capacity of water?
The amount of heat needed to raise 1 kg of water by 1°C
86
Why is water considered an excellent solvent?
It can dissolve ions and polar molecules due to its polar properties
87
What is the effect of water's high latent heat of vaporisation?
It allows cooling mechanisms in organisms
88
What happens to water density below 4°C?
It decreases, allowing ice to float
89
What is the importance of water's high surface tension?
It allows some insects to walk on water
90
What is a key role of water in chemical reactions?
Acts as a reagent in processes like photosynthesis and hydrolysis

Biology (1 decks)

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