Molecular Biology Flashcards
(89 cards)
1
Q
What is Avogadro’s constant
A
6.022 × 10²³
2
Q
Define Monomer
A
A singular unit, that when combined with other units forms a polymer
3
Q
Define Polymer
A
Molecules made from multiple monomer units combined together
4
Q
what is the name of the monomer for carbohydrate molecules
A
Monosaccharides
5
Q
what is the name of the polymer for carbohydrate molecules
A
Polysaccharides
6
Q
Monomer name for proteins
A
Amino acids
7
Q
Polymer name for proteins
A
Polypeptides
8
Q
Monomer name for nucleic acids
A
Nucleotides
9
Q
polymer name for nucleic acids
A
DNA and RNA
10
Q
Name the process by which monomers are converted into a polymer
A
Polymerisation
11
Q
Define Condensation
A
A reaction forming chemical bonds between monomers, releasing a water molecule.
12
Q
Define Hydrolysis
A
A reaction breaking chemical bonds between monomers using a water molecule.
13
Q
what type of attraction is hydrogen bonding
A
Permanent dipole to permanent dipole attraction
14
Q
When does a hydrogen bond occur
A
When a hydrogen atom is covalently bonded to a highly electronegative element such as nitrogen, oxygen or fluorine.
15
Q
Give 3 examples of monosaccharides
A
Glucose, Fructose, Galactose
16
Q
Give 3 examples of disaccharides
A
Sucrose, Maltose, Lactose
17
Q
Give 2 examples of structural polysaccharides
A
Cellulose and Chitin
18
Q
Give 2 examples of storage polysaccharides
A
Glycogen and Starch
19
Q
Give Monosaccharide general formula
A
(CH2O)n
20
Q
What are the names of Glucoses isomers
A
Beta Glucose and Alpha Glucose
21
Q
where is fructose found
A
In fruits and nectar
22
Q
How is maltose formed
A
Two glucose molecules joined by an alpha 1-4 glycosidic bond.
23
Q
How is sucrose formed
A
glucose and fructose joined by an alpha 1-4 glycosidic bond.
24
Q
How is lactose formed
A
galactose and glucose joined by a beta 1-4 glycosidic bond
25
What are monosaccharide's with 3 carbon atoms called
Trioses
26
What are monosaccharide's with 5 carbon atoms called
Pentoses
27
What are monosaccharide's with 6 carbon atoms called
Hexoses
28
Which isomer of glucose forms glycogen
Alpha Glucose
29
Which isomer of glucose forms starch
Alpha Glucose
30
Which isomer of glucose forms cellulose
Beta Glucose
31
why are glycosidic bonds formed?
Make the monosaccharides more suitable for transport and have less effect on a cell's osmolarity.
32
How are disaccharides and polysaccharides formed
when two (-OH) groups interact to form a strong covalent bond (glycosidic bond)
33
Where is the OH on alpha glucose
On the bottom
34
Where is the OH on Beta Glucose
On the top
35
Why are starch and Glycogen storage Polysaccharides
They are compact so large quantities can be stored and they are insoluble so will not have an osmotic effect.
36
What % of starch is Amylose
10 - 30%
37
What % of starch is amylopectin
70 - 90%
38
What shape does Amylose take on
A long unbranched Helix - Shaped chain made from alpha glucose molecules joined by alpha 1-4 glycosidic bonds
39
What shape does Amylopectin take on
Highly branched, long chains of Alpha glucose joined by alpha 1-4 glycosidic bonds with alpha 1-6 glycosidic bonds between branches.
40
What shape does glycogen take on
Highly branched and not coiled. It is more branched than Amylopectin.
41
Where are there high concentrations of glycogen
Liver and Muscle cells as cellular respiration rate is high there.
42
Benefits of branches on storage polysaccharides
Allows more free ends where glucose molecules can be added or removed, allowing for condensation and hydrolysis reactions to occur more rapidly.
43
What shape does cellulose take on
Long chains of beta glucose joined by beta 1-4 glycosidic bonds, with consecutive beta glucose molecules rotated 180 degrees. This forms many hydrogen bonds too increasing strength.
44
How do water and solutes leave or reach the cell membrane
The cellulose fibres are freely permeable.
45
What are Lipids known as
Macromolecules
46
What atoms are Lipids made up of
Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen
47
Give two properties of Lipids
Non-Polar and Hydrophobic
48
What are the names of the two groups of Lipids
Triglycerides and Phospholipids
49
What monomers make up Triglycerides (and how much of each)
3 Fatty Acid molecules bonded to a Glycerol molecule
50
What two different versions of fatty acid chains are there
Saturated (mainly animal fat) or Unsaturated (mainly vegetables)
51
Name the two versions of Unsaturated fatty acids
Monounsaturated and Polyunsaturated
52
What is the name for unsaturated fatty acids whereby the H atoms are on the same side of the double bond
Cis-Fatty Acids
53
What is the name for unsaturated fatty acids whereby the H atoms are on opposite sides of the double bond
Trans-Fatty acids
54
Can Cis fatty acids be metabolised by enzymes
Yes
55
Why are trans fats not metabolised
They cannot form enzyme - substrate complex's
56
How are triglycerides formed
Esterification
57
How does an ester bond form
When a hydroxyl (-OH) group of glycerol bonds with a carboxyl (-COOH) group of fatty acids.
58
What type of reaction is the formation of an ester bond
Condensation reaction
59
How does triglycerides being hydrophobic help with energy storage in cells
They do not cause osmotic water uptake in cells, so more can be stored
60
In what form do plants store their triglycerides
As oil in seeds and fruit
61
In what form do mammals store triglycerides
As oil droplets in adipose tissue (helps them survive when food is scarce)
62
What part of nerve fibres do triglycerides make up
The myelin Sheath (Speeds up nerve impulses)
63
What does the adipose tissue layer below the skin act as
Insulation against heat loss
64
How does the adipose tissue layer contribute to buoyancy
It has a low a density, allows animals to float more easily
65
How are organs protected with triglycerides
Adipose tissue layer in mammals contains triglycerides which help protect organs from risk of damage
66
Name a major component of cell surface membranes
Phospholipids
67
Are fatty acid tails hydrophilic or hydrophobic
Hydrophobic
68
Are phosphate heads in phospholipids hydrophilic or hydrophobic
Hydrophilic
69
What is a Phospholipid comprised of
2 fatty acid tails and a phosphate head, bonded to a glycerol molecule
70
What is a polymer that has both hydrophobic and hydrophilic parts called
Amphipathic
71
What do phospholipids form in water
Monolayers or Bilayers
72
How is a hydrophobic core created on a cell membrane
when a phospholipid bilayer forms, hydrophobic fatty acids face inwards and phosphate heads face outwards.
73
What does a bilayer act as
A barrier to water soluble molecules
74
How do other objects pass through bilayer
Other objects other than water soluble molecules (e.g. Glucose) can pass through the hydrogen bonds between the hydrophilic heads
75
How will the cell membrane being made up of mainly saturated fatty acids affect it
Will be less fluid
76
How will the cell membrane being made up of mainly unsaturated fatty acids affect it
Will be more fluid
77
Are phospholipids polar or non-polar
Polar (have a polar phosphate head)
78
Are triglycerides polar or non-polar
Non-Polar
79
How many water molecules each are released during the formation of phospholipids and triglycerides
3
80
Function of Triglycerides
Energy Storage
81
Function of Phospholipids
Cell membrane component
82
Are bond between carbon and hydrogen in a saturated fatty acid chain all single or all double
Single
83
How many hydrogens is each carbon bonded to in a saturated fatty acid chain
2
84
What is the difference between a saturated and unsaturated fatty acid chain
Unsaturated chain contains a Carbon - Carbon double bond
85
How does the c-c double bond affect the chain in an unsaturated chain
Causes the chain to have a kink (bend)
86
Why is an unsaturated chain known as 'unsaturated'
Does not have the maximum number of hydrogens possible
87
Why is an saturated chain known as 'saturated'
has the maximum number of hydrogens possible
88
How many hydrogens each can the carbon atoms in the carbon - carbon double bond of the unsaturated chain bond to
1
89
What do triglycerides form in cells
Insoluble droplets (fatty acids on inside and glycerols outside)
