Macromolecules/Enzymes Flashcards
(68 cards)
What are macromolecules?
Macromolecules are large, complex molecules made up of smaller units (monomers) joined together.
What are the four major types of macromolecules?
Carbohydrates
Proteins
Lipids
Nucleic Acids
What are proteins made of?
Proteins are made of amino acids, which are linked by peptide bonds to form polypeptides. There are 20 different amino acids, and their sequence determines the protein’s structure and function.
What are lipids made of?
Lipids are made of glycerol and fatty acids. They are hydrophobic molecules and include fats, oils, phospholipids, and steroids.
What are nucleic acids made of?
Nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) are made of nucleotides, which consist of a sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base.
What is the function of carbohydrates?
Carbohydrates provide energy (e.g., glucose)
What is the function of proteins?
Proteins serve as enzymes, structural components, transport molecules, and play roles in immune response
What is the function of lipids?
Lipids store energy, insulate the body, protect organs, and form cell membranes (phospholipids).
What is the function of nucleic acids?
Nucleic acids store and transmit genetic information. DNA contains genetic instructions for development and function, while RNA helps in protein synthesis.
What are enzymes?
Enzymes are biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions by lowering the activation energy required for the reaction to occur. They are typically proteins.
What is the active site of an enzyme?
The active site is the region on the enzyme where the substrate binds. The enzyme’s shape is specific to the substrate it binds with.
What is a substrate?
A substrate is the molecule that an enzyme acts upon in a chemical reaction. It binds to the enzyme’s active site to form an enzyme-substrate complex.
What is the enzyme-substrate complex?
The enzyme-substrate complex is formed when a substrate binds to the enzyme’s active site. This interaction helps catalyze the conversion of substrate into products.
What is the induced fit model of enzyme action?
The induced fit model suggests that the enzyme changes shape upon substrate binding to better fit the substrate, improving the enzyme’s efficiency in catalysis.
What factors affect enzyme activity?
Temperature
pH
Substrate concentration
Enzyme concentration
Presence of inhibitors or activators
What are enzyme inhibitors?
Enzyme inhibitors are molecules that decrease the activity of an enzyme.
What are enzyme coenzymes?
Coenzymes are non-protein molecules that assist enzymes in catalyzing reactions. They often act as carriers for chemical groups or electrons.
What is enzyme activation energy?
Activation energy is the energy required to start a chemical reaction. Enzymes lower the activation energy, making it easier for reactions to occur.
What is denaturation?
Denaturation is the process in which an enzyme or protein loses its three-dimensional structure, often due to high temperature or extreme pH, resulting in the loss of its biological function.
What are monosaccharides? What are some examples
Monosaccharides are the simplest form of carbohydrates, consisting of a single sugar unit. They are the building blocks of more complex carbohydrates. (eg. glucose, fructose)
What are polysaccharides?
Polysaccharides are long chains of monosaccharides linked by glycosidic bonds. (eg. starch, glycogen, cellulose, chiltin)
What are the functions of polysaccharides?
Energy storage
Structural support
What is glycogen and where is it found?
Glycogen is a polysaccharide made of glucose units. It is main energy storage in animals, primarily stored in the liver and muscles.
What is the function of glycogen?
Glycogen serves as the primary energy reserve in animals. When blood glucose levels are low, glycogen is broken down into glucose to provide energy for muscle activity and other bodily functions.