Topic 1A: Biological Molecules Flashcards
(182 cards)
What is a monomer?
A monomer is a small basic molecular unit
What are some examples of monomers?
Examples of monomers: monosaccharides, amino acids and nucleotides
What 3 elements do ever carbohydrate contain?
All carbohydrates contain carbon, oxygen and hydrogen
What are carbohydrates made from, with examples?
Carbohydrates are made from monosaccharides, eg glucose, fructose and galactose
What is glucose?
Glucose is a hextose sugar, as there are six carbon atoms in each molecule
What are the types of glucose?
There is alpha glucose and beta glucose
What is a condensation reaction?
A condensation reaction is when two molecules join together with the formation of a new chemical bond
What happens during a condensation reaction?
In a condensation reaction, a new chemical bond is formed and a water molecule is released when the bond is formed
How do monosaccharides join together?
Monosaccharides join together by condensation reactions
What type of bond is formed in condensation reactions?
In condensation reactions, a glycosidic bond forms between the two monosaccharides as a water molecule is released
What is sucrose?
Sucrose is a disaccharide formed from a condesnation reaction between a glucose molecule and a fructose molecule
What is lactose?
Lactose is a disaccharide formed from a glucose and galactose molecule
How can polymers be broken down into monomers?
Polymers can be broken down into monomers by hydrolysis reactions
What are hydrolysis reactions?
Hydrolysis reactions break chemical bonds between monomers using a water molecule (opposite of condensation reactions)
How can carbohydrates be broken down into monosaccharides?
Carbohydrates can be broken down into monosaccharides by hydrolysis
How do you test for reducing and non-reducing sugars (practical) ?
Benedicts test for reducing sugars
What do you do during a benedicts test for reducing sugars? (practical)
Benedicts test:
1). Adds benedict’s reagent in excess so all reacts (it is a blue solution) and heat in a water bath at boil
2). Positive result: coloured precipitate (blue > green > yellow > orange > red)
3). Higher concentration of sugar = further colour change
What is the coloured precipitate change formed during a positive result in the benedict’s test for reducing sugars?
Coloured precipitate change in benedict’s test for reducing sugars:
Blue > green > yellow > orange
What happens in the benedict’s test for non-reducing sugars?
Benedict’s test for non-reducing sugars:
1). Add dilute hydrochloric acid to sample and heat in boiling water bath
2). Neutralise the sample with sodium hydrogencarbonate.
3). Positive result: coloured precipitate
Negative result: remains blue (contains no sugar)
What is a polysaccharide?
Polysaccharide is formed when more than two monosaccharides are joined together by condensation reactions
What is starch?
Excess glucose in plants are stored as starch, and so remains as the plant’s main energy storage materials in plants as when plants need energy, starch can be broken down back into glucose
What are the two polysaccharides of alpha glucose that starch is a mixture of?
Starch is a mixture of the two polussacharides of alpha glucose - amylose and amylopectin
What is amylose?
Amylose is long unbranched chains of alpha glucose.
What makes amylose good for storage?
The angles of the glycosidic bonds in amylose give it a coiled structure, making it more compact therefore good for storage as more can fit in a small space