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AQA A Level Biology > Topic 1: Biological Molecules > Flashcards

Topic 1: Biological Molecules Flashcards

(62 cards)

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1
Q

What is a monomer?

A

Small, single molecule that can join together to form a polymer.

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2
Q

What is a polymer?

A

Large molecule made up of many similar/identical monomers joined together.

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3
Q

What occurs during a condensation reaction?

A

Joins 2 molecules together, eliminates a water molecule, forms a chemical bond.

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4
Q

What occurs during a hydrolysis reaction?

A

Separates 2 molecules, requires addition of a water molecule, breaks a chemical bond.

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5
Q

What are the three groups carbohydrates can be classified into?

A
  • Monosaccharides
  • Disaccharides
  • Polysaccharides
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6
Q

What is a monosaccharide?

A

The monomer from which larger carbohydrates are made.

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7
Q

What is a disaccharide?

A

Formed by the condensation of 2 monosaccharides.

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8
Q

What is a polysaccharide?

A

Formed by the condensation of many monosaccharides.

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9
Q

What is the structure of glucose?

A

6 carbon atoms.

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10
Q

What is an isomer?

A

Same molecular formula but differently arranged atoms.

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11
Q

What distinguishes α-glucose from β-glucose?

A

The OH group is below C1 in α-glucose but above C1 in β-glucose.

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12
Q

What is the function of glycogen?

A

Energy store in animal cells.

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13
Q

What is the structure of glycogen?

A

Polysaccharide of α-glucose with C1-C4 and C1-C6 glycosidic bonds.

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14
Q

What is the function of starch?

A

Energy store in plant cells.

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15
Q

What is the structure of cellulose?

A

Inverted β-glucose molecules in a long, straight, unbranched chain.

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16
Q

What does the Biuret test detect?

A

Presence of peptide bonds.

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17
Q

What is the result of a positive Biuret test?

A

Purple color.

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18
Q

What are triglycerides?

A

Formed by the condensation of 1 molecule of glycerol and 3 fatty acids.

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19
Q

What is the emulsion test for lipids?

A

Add ethanol and shake, then add water; positive result is milky/cloudy white emulsion.

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20
Q

What are the two types of fatty acids?

A
  • Saturated
  • Unsaturated
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21
Q

What are amino acids?

A

The monomers from which proteins are made.

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22
Q

What is a dipeptide?

A

Two amino acids joined.

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23
Q

What is a polypeptide?

A

Many amino acids joined.

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24
Q

What is primary structure in proteins?

A

Sequence of amino acids in a polypeptide chain.

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25
What is secondary structure in proteins?
Hydrogen bonding causes polypeptide to fold into repeating patterns.
26
What is tertiary structure in proteins?
Overall 3D structure of a polypeptide held together by interactions between amino acid side chains.
27
What is quaternary structure in proteins?
Some proteins are made of 2 or more polypeptide chains.
28
What is an enzyme?
A biological catalyst that lowers the activation energy of reactions.
29
What is the Lock and Key model of enzyme action?
Active site is a fixed shape complementary to one substrate.
30
What is the Induced Fit model of enzyme action?
Active site changes shape to fit substrate upon binding.
31
What factors affect the rate of enzyme-controlled reactions?
* Enzyme concentration * Substrate concentration * Temperature * pH * Inhibitors
32
What is the function of DNA?
Holds genetic information.
33
What is the function of RNA?
Transfers genetic information from DNA to ribosomes.
34
What are the components of a nucleotide?
* Pentose sugar * Nitrogenous base * Phosphate group
35
What is the difference between DNA and RNA nucleotides?
* DNA has deoxyribose sugar; RNA has ribose sugar. * DNA contains thymine; RNA contains uracil.
36
What is the process of DNA replication?
The process by which DNA makes a copy of itself.
37
What is ATP?
Adenosine trisphosphate, the immediate source of energy.
38
What occurs during ATP hydrolysis?
ATP is converted to ADP and releases energy.
39
What are the properties of water that are important in biology?
* Cohesion * Adhesion * High specific heat capacity * Solvent properties
40
What are inorganic ions?
Ions that are not based on carbon.
41
What type of sugar is found in DNA nucleotides?
Deoxyribose ## Footnote DNA nucleotides contain the sugar deoxyribose, while RNA nucleotides contain ribose.
42
What base is present in RNA but not in DNA?
Uracil ## Footnote RNA nucleotides have uracil instead of thymine, which is found in DNA.
43
What are the three components of nucleotides?
Pentose sugar, nitrogenous base, phosphate group ## Footnote Nucleotides are the monomers that make up nucleic acids.
44
What type of bond forms between nucleotides in DNA and RNA?
Phosphodiester bonds ## Footnote These bonds are formed through condensation reactions.
45
How are the strands of DNA structured?
Double stranded, anti-parallel ## Footnote DNA consists of two strands held together by hydrogen bonds between complementary base pairs.
46
What is the primary structure of RNA?
Single polynucleotide strand ## Footnote Unlike DNA, RNA is typically single-stranded.
47
How does the length of DNA compare to RNA?
DNA is longer than RNA ## Footnote This difference is important in their respective functions.
48
List the base pairs found in DNA.
* Adenine - Thymine * Cytosine - Guanine ## Footnote These pairs are held together by hydrogen bonds.
49
What is the function of hydrogen bonds in the structure of DNA?
Allow the strands to be unzipped for replication ## Footnote These weak bonds facilitate the separation of strands during replication.
50
What is the role of DNA polymerase in DNA replication?
Joins adjacent nucleotides by condensation ## Footnote This forms phosphodiester bonds in the new strand.
51
Define semi-conservative replication.
Each new strand contains one original and one new strand ## Footnote This ensures genetic continuity between generations of cells.
52
What does the term 'antiparallel' refer to in DNA?
Strands run in opposite directions ## Footnote This is crucial for the function of DNA polymerase.
53
What evidence supports the semi-conservative model of DNA replication?
Experiments by Meselson and Stahl ## Footnote They used heavy and light nitrogen to trace DNA replication.
54
What is the structure of ATP?
Ribose, adenine, 3 phosphate groups ## Footnote ATP is a modified nucleotide.
55
What is the reaction for ATP hydrolysis?
ATP → ADP + Pi ## Footnote This reaction releases energy for cellular processes.
56
What enzyme catalyzes ATP hydrolysis?
ATP hydrolase ## Footnote This enzyme facilitates the breakdown of ATP.
57
What is the importance of water's high specific heat capacity?
Stabilizes temperature in organisms and habitats ## Footnote This property helps maintain a constant internal body temperature.
58
How does water act as a solvent?
Dissolves ionic compounds and other substances ## Footnote This property allows water to facilitate metabolic reactions.
59
What role do hydrogen ions (H+) play in biological systems?
Maintain pH levels ## Footnote They influence enzyme activity and can cause denaturation.
60
What is the role of phosphate ions (PO4^3-) in biological molecules?
Form phosphodiester bonds in nucleic acids ## Footnote They are also involved in energy storage in ATP.
61
What is the role of iron ions (Fe2+) in the body?
Component of hemoglobin ## Footnote They transport oxygen in red blood cells.
62
Fill in the blank: ATP is a suitable immediate source of energy because it releases energy in _______ amounts.
Small ## Footnote This prevents energy waste.

AQA A Level Biology (2 decks)

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