Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

BIOLOGY-FY > S1-L2: Introduction to Biological Molecules > Flashcards

S1-L2: Introduction to Biological Molecules Flashcards

(56 cards)

Start Studying
1
Q

What are carbon-based compounds?

A

-Basic units of biological molecules

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Outline the purpose of functional groups

A

-determine molecule’s function

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What is the difference between monomers and polymers?

A

-simple VS complex molecules

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Why is water important?

refer to figure 1

A

-for the sustenance of life

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Briefly describe life as being “carbon based”

refer to figure 2

A
  • Carbon-basis of living material due to to ability to form 4 bonds with
  • ->other atoms and/ or wide variety of molecules
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

How do carbon-based molecules vary?

refer to figure 3

A

-vary from simple to complex molecules

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Describe large carbon-based molecules like graphite and diamond

A
  • held together via strong covalent bonds

- -> e- charge clouds merge to form covalent bonds

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Briefly outline the composition of a carbon atom and its outer most orbital

A
  • 6 protons (+)/ 6 neutrons/ 6 electrons (-)

- outer e- orbital lacks 4 of 8 electrons which need filling

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

How do carbon atoms form covalent bonds with themselves or other atoms?

A
  • Either with themselves or other e- deficient atoms-form covalent bonds
  • ->share electron pair-more than 1 e- needed to fill outer orbital
  • ->shared e- pair form covalent bond
  • ->bonds can be single/double/triple
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Which atoms can Carbon form covalent bonds with?

A

-Carbon (C) Hydrogen (H)/ Oxygen (O)/ Nitrogen (N)/ Sulfur (S)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What does “valence” mean and how is it significance along with low atomic weight?

A
  • Valence- is the n. of missing e-‘s
  • valence and low atomic weight–>give unique properties which account for diversity + stability of C-containing compounds and its role in biological molecules
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Outline the significance of “functional groups” and their effect on carbon based compounds

A
  • Each functional group has specific properties and so a specific function
  • functional groups are able to attach to C-based compounds and control atom’s function
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What do cellular chemical reactions often invove?

A

-involve functional group transfer (loss or gain of them)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

How are covalent bonds in carbon-based compounds significant for life and give an example?

A
  • covalent bond breakage in C-based compounds releases energy
  • ->this energy used to sustain life
  • EXAMPLE: CO2 (O=C=O) –> only contains 2 C=O bond with low energy
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Briefly outline the key features of the following functional groups:

1-Alkene 
2-Alkyne 
3-Alcohol 
4-Ether
5-Haloalkane
A

1- C=C/ “-ene”/ E.G: 2HC=CH2–> ethene (ethylene)
2- C-(x3)C/ “-yne”/ E.G: HC-(x3)CH/ ethyne (Acetylene)
3- C-O-H (2 lone pairs on O)/ “-ol”/E.G: CH3-OH methanol (methl alcohol)
4- C-O-C (2 lone pairs on O)/ “ether” / E.G: CH3-O-CH3/ dimethyl ether
5- C-X (X= halogen)/ “halo-“/ E.G: CH3-Cl/ chloromethane (methyl chloride)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Continued:

6- Amine 
7-Aldehyde 
8-Ketone 
9-Carboxylic Acid 
10-Ester
A

6- C-N/ “-amine”/ E.G: CH2-CH-NH2/ ethylamine
7- H-C=O/ “-al”/ E.G: CH3-CO-H/ Ethanal
8- C-C=O-C/ “-one”/ CH3-CO-CH3/ Propanone
9- O=C-OH/ “-oic acid”/ CH3-CO-OH/ ethanoic acid
10- O=C-O-C/ “-oate”/ CH3-COOCH3/ methyl ethanoate

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Similarly, briefly outline the following functional groups

1-Thiol
2-Phosphate
3-Amide

A

1- R-S-H/ Sulphydryl
2- RO-RO-(P)=O-OR/ Phospahte
3- R-(C)=O-NR2 (R= alkyl/ other organic substitute)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Explain the basics as to what all our complexity comes down to

A
  • All complexity comes down to C and H2O molecules

- -> which interconnected through array of functional groups

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What are functional groups usually classified as?

A

-classified as hydrophobic/hydrophilic depending on their charge/ polarity

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Define the term “macromolecules”

A

-Large biological molecules with repeating sub-units & many functional groups

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What are 4 main biologically important macromolecules?

A

-carbohydrates/ lipids/ proteins/ nucleic acids

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

Outline the meaning of “monomers” and “polymers” in the context of macromolecules

A
  • monomers: macromolecules composed of building blocks

- polymers: monomers joined via covalent bonds to from long chain/macromolecules

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

Describe the process of dehydration synthesis through which polymers are formed

Study These Flashcards
A
  • water molecule formed and removed from reactants joined during reaction
  • ->requires energy in ATP form (adenosine 5’ triosephosphate)
24
Q

Similarly outline the process of Hydrolysis through which polymers are broken down

Study These Flashcards
A
  • bonds between reactants broken through water molecule addition (H2O)
  • -> energy released from bond stored as ATP
  • hydrolysis process is the opposite of dehydration synthesis
25
Why do big molecules like starch need to be broken down and what is needed to aid this process?
- need to be broken down in to smaller units to be easily digested AND absorbed across gut - ->this hydrolysis reaction needs enzymes help
26
Define the term "enzymes"
-biological catalyst which increases chemical reaction rate without being used up
27
Give brief background to the water molecule and its involvement in organisms
- H2O is it's chemical formula - most abundant molecule in body--> 60-95% of fresh mass of living organisms - Medium- cellular chemical reactions occur here - major role in living systems-growth/reproduction/ hydration/ nutrition/ hygiene and health
28
How does water act as a Universal Solvent and Transporter?
- all body fluids mostly water | - aids movement of chemical reactions during diffusion
29
How may water act as a Lubricant?
- In joints and on tissues | - also moistens epithelial surfaces like the eye/mouth
30
Outline how water can act as a Shock Absorber
- In the brain-very sensitive to CFS changes | - ->small amount removed would require it to be recovered
31
Describe how water Regulates Body Temp
- water needs heat to turn to vapour | - sweat absorbs heat from skin when evaporating
32
How much water do we need?
- Body tissue is approximately 62% of water | - we need approximately 1.5L/ day
33
What happens when we lack the required amount of water in the body?
- Leads to dehydration - -> which associated with many conditions like diarrhoea/vomiting - dehydration can be fatal so needs to be treated as soon as possible - ->through fluid replacement therapy (example) OR oral intravenous (IV)
34
Describe Capillary Refill Time (CRT)
-Time taken for colour to return to external capillary bed after pressure applied to cause blanching (make white/pale)
35
What is the Capillary Refill Test?
-test to check hydration status of blood flow
36
How is CRT measured?
- hold hand higher than heart level - press on soft pad of finger/nail until turns white - note time taken for colour to return - ->should be around 2 s for normal people and 5 s new born infants - ->if time longer than should be indicates dehydration
37
What is the typical structure of water molecule like?
- Simple oxygen molecule | - ->one oxygen molecule atom bonded by single C-bond to 2 H atoms
38
Outline the atomic structure of O and H and how it affect the covalent bonding in H2O's structure
- O atom contains 8 (+) protons in nucleus - each H atom contains 1 (+) proton in nucleus - ->results in shared e- pair in each covalent bond in H2O to be more strongly attracted to O than to either H nuclei
39
How is a water molecule polar/charged?
- slight (-) pole near O (delta -) and slight (+) pole near H (delta +) - ->makes water molecule polar as a result
40
How does hydrogen bonds form between two water molecules?
-Delta (+) near H atoms attracted to delta (-) near O atom of nearby water molecules
41
Why is water a liquid?
- H bonds relatively weak--> 5-10% strength of covalent bonds - also easily broken--> 1/100,000,000,000 of second) - H bonding creates fluid as molecules constantly change patterns
42
Explain how water is a powerful solvent
- NaCl (salt) lattice of Na+ ions ionically bonded to Cl- ions - -> delta (+) H's attracted to Cl- AND delta (-) O's attracted to Na+ ions - ->lattice pulls apart and salt dissolves in water
43
How does water act as a universal solvent?
- all polar (charged) molecules and ions water soluble as able to form H bonds with water - ions + polar molecules able to move and interact freely - ->also able to take part in cellular chemical reactions
44
What are non-polar molecules and why are they hydrophobic?
- Have no electrical charge AND unable to from H bonds with water - ->these molecules repel water molecules so are hydrophobic
45
What does Hydrophilic mean in terms of water?
-polar molecules which attract water molecules like Cl- and Na+
46
Define the term Amphiphilic
-Some molecules have mix of both hydrophobic and hydrophilic properties
47
What is the effect of Hydrophobic forces on biological molecules?
-these forces influence 3D shape of biological molecules
48
Describe the phospholipid bilayer plasma membrane
- polar head and non-polar tail | - ->non-polar tails face inwards while polar tails face outwards
49
Outline the permeability of the plasma membrane
- Hydrophobic and small molecules pass through easily | - hydrophilic molecules can't pass through easily
50
Where does the plasma membranes unique properties come from?
-come from it's fluidity and polarity
51
Define "surface tension"
- tension of surface of film of liquid caused by attraction of particles in surface layer as to reduce S. Area - elastic tendency of fluid surface
52
AT LIQUID- What are air interfaces and what results in them?
- Air interfaces-point two systems meet/interact | - -> results from greater interaction of liquid molecules to each other (due to cohesion) than to air molecules
53
Define and describe the use of "surfactants"
- Substances which reduce s. tension between 2 liquids/ between gas & liquid OR between liquid and solid - ->surfactants may act as detergents/ wetting agents/ emulsifiers/ foaming agents and dispersants (disperse small particles in a medium)
54
Describe the link between lung's collapsing and S. Tension
- S. tension tends to make lung alveoli collapse | - ->alveoli secrete surfactants-to break surface tension
55
How may premature babies lung's collapse and what treatment may be prescribed?
- they lack surfactants-->lung collapses (atelectasis) as surface tension cant be reduced - -> prescribed surfactant inhaler therapy
56
Summary of lecture
- Valence + low atomic weight of C--> lets it form chains & link functional groups important for biological macromolecular generation - biologically important macromolecular groups--> carbohydrates/ proteins/ lipids/ nucleic acids - biological polymers generated from monomers via dehydration synthesis - biological polymers broken down via hydrolysis - water universal for life-->universal solvent/polarity/ H-bonding

BIOLOGY-FY (12 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions