Topic 1 - Biological molecules Flashcards
(134 cards)
What is a monomer
A molecule which can be repeated to for a larger molecule (polymer)
What is a polymer
A long chain of monomers bonded together
What are carbohydrates made from
Carbon, hydrogen and oxygen
What is a monosaccharide
A simple sugar made from carbon, hydrogen and oxygen
What are 3 examples of monosaccharides
Glucose, fructose and galactose
What are isomers
Have the same molecular formula but a different structure
What are the two isomers of glucose
Alpha glucose (Carbon 1 has the H at the top and the OH at the bottom) and Beta glucose (Carbon 1 has the OH at the top and the H at the bottom)
What are disaccharides
Two monosaccharides bonded together with a glycosidic bond
What is condensation
Forming polymers and releasing a water molecules
What is hydrolysis
Breaking down polymers through the addition of water (Hydro - water, Lysis -splitting)
What are 3 examples of disaccharides
Maltose = alpha glucose = alpha glucose
Sucrose = glucose + fructose
Lactose = glucose + galactose
What is a polysaccharide
Three or more monosaccharides bonded together with glycosidic bonds
What are 3 examples of polysaccharides
Starch, glycogen and cellulose
What is the monomer for cellulose and where is it found
Beta glucose, found in plants for structural support
What is the monomer of starch and where is it found
Alpha glucose , found in plants for energy storage
What is the monomer found in glycogen and where is it found
Alpha glucose (known as animal starch) , found in animals for storage
Describe the structure of starch
Amylose - tight spirals
Amylopectin - branched
How does the structure of starch link to its function
Insoluable - doesn’t affect water potential
Large - doesn’t diffuse out cells
Amylose - very compact so can store more energy in a small space
Amylopectin - Branched so can be more easily hydrolysed by enzymes
Describe the structure of glycogen
Branched
How does the structure of glycogen link to its function
Insoluable - doesn’t affect the water potential
Large - doesn’t diffuse out of cells
Branched - Can be hydrolysed into glucose for respiration easily
Describe the structure of cellulose
Parallel links held which glycosidic bonds, chains held together by hydrogen bonds
How does the structure of cellulose link to its function
Parallel chains - increased strength
Hydrogen bonds - lots of weak bonds are overall strong which helps with structure
Exerts inward pressure to help with rigidity
What are the two main types of lipids
Triglycerides and phospholipids
What is the structure of a triglyceride
Glycerol and 3 fatty acids with a ester bond