Intro to Biological Molecules Handout Flashcards
Van der waals forces
weak interactions between atoms due to continuous movement of negatively charged electrons (oscillations in configuration of large molecules), which forms dipoles
Water characteristics (5)
- Good solvent
- Participates in chemical reactions (e.g., digestion)
- High heat of vaporization (requires lots of heat to evaporate)
- Absorbs and releases heat slowly
- Provides lubrication
Describe lipid solubility
Insoluble in water, dissolve in solvents like chloroform
Triglyceride function and structure
Energy source, protection, insulation
Structure: glycerol and fatty acids
What’s the difference between saturated and unsaturated fatty acids?
Saturated fatty acids have no double bonds; unsaturated do
Amphipathic
Has polar and nonpolar end
Hydrophilic vs. hydrophobic
Polar vs. nonpolar
Prostaglandins
Derivatives of fatty acids which act similar to hormones
Carbohydrate functions (3)
- Provide energy (glycogen is stored form of glucose)
- Form part of structural elements of some cells
- Supply carbon atoms for synthesis of cellular components
How are disaccharides formed?
Formed from 2 monosaccharides by elimination of water (e.g., glucose + sucrose = fructose)
Amino acid components
Basic amino group (-NH2), acidic carboxyl group (-COOH), side chain (R group)
Secondary protein structure
Regular, repeated spatial patterns in different regions of a polypeptide chain (alpha helix and beta pleated sheet) - local interactions
Tertiary protein structure
3D structure resulting from side chain interactions (polypeptide bent at specific sites, folded back and forth)
Quaternary protein structure
How subunits (two or more polypeptide chains) bind together and interact
Protein functions (5)
- Enzymes
- Make up cytoskeleton (supports and organizes cell)
- Muscle contraction (actin-myosin interactions)
- Certain hormones (insulin) are proteins
- Antibodies
