topic 1A: biological molecules Flashcards
(65 cards)
monomers and polymers definition
MONOMERS
-smaller molecular units which can create larger molecules (e.g. monosaccharides, amino acids and nucleotides)
POLYMERS
-large, complex molecules composed of long chains of monomers joined together (e.g. polysaccharide, polypeptide and polynucleotide)
condensation and hydrolysis reaction
CONDENSATION
-joins two monomers together, with the formation of a chemical bond and involves the elimination of a molecule of water.
HYDROLYSIS
-separates two monomers by breaking a chemical bond and involves the addition of a water molecule.
monsachharides + examples
the monomers which form larger carbohydrates e.g. glucose, fructose and galactose
carbohydrates contain the elements…
-C (carbon)
-H (hydrogen)
-O (oxygen)
hexose sugar
a monosaccharide with six carbon atoms in each molecule e.g glucose
isomers
same molecular formula but different structure with atoms arranged in a different ways
draw alpha glucose molecule
H
OH
draw beta glucose molecule
OH
H
disaccharides + formulas
-two monosaccharides join together by a condensation reaction, forming a glycosidic bond (e.g. maltose, lactose and sucrose) releasing a water molecule
FORMULAS
-(2 alpha) glucose + glucose ->maltose + water (glycosidic bond)
-glucose + galactose -> lactose + water
-glucose + fructose -> sucrose + water
polysaccharides + examples
polysaccharides are formed when more than 2 monosaccharides join together by a condensation reaction, releasing a water molecule for each glycosidic bond
e.g. starch, glycogen and cellulose
starch function
-a main energy store in plant cells
starch structure + formation
-made up of a polysaccharides of alpha glucose by a condensation reaction
-coiled structure and branched
-amylose: 1-4 glycosidic bonds so a long, unbranched chain of alpha glucose, the angles of the glycosidic bonds creates a coiled and compact structure
-amylopectin: 1-6 glycosidic bonds so a long, branched chain of alpha glucose, its side branches allows starch to hydrolyse and release glucose rapidly
starch structure related to function
-coiled structure - due to the angle of the glycosidic bond, therefore this makes it compact for more storage in cell
-branched chains: can be hydrolysed quickly so that glucose can be released quickly
-insoluble in water: no osmotic effect so this doesnt affect the water potential
-large, insoluble polysaccharide molecule: cant leave cell and cross cell membrane
glycogen function
-main energy store in animal cells
glycogen structure
-polysaccharides of alpha glucose by a condensation reaction
-1-4 and 1-6 glycosidic bonds loads more side branches coming of it
-very compact molecule
glycogen structure related to function
-branched: rapid hydrolysis to release glucose for respiration to make ATP for energy release
-compact: good for storage, so it can store more glycogen in a smaller space
-large, insoluble so cant leave cell or cross cell membrane
-insoluble: no osmotic effect so it doesnt affect water potential
cellulose function
provides strength and structural support to plant / algal cell walls
cellulose structure
-polysaccharide of beta glucose
-1-4 glycosidic bonds so forms straight cellulose chains
-the long, unbranched cellulose chains are linked in parallel together by hydrogen bonds to form microfibrils (strong fibres) which provide structural support and strength for plant cells
cellulose structure related to function
-hydrogen bonds form between chains: forms microfibrils (strong fibres) which create collective strength to the cell wall making it rigid
-straight and unbranched
reducing sugar test + positive result + explain colour changes
reducing sugars: monosaccharides, maltose and lactose
1. add benedicts solution (blue) to sample
2. heat in a boiling water bath
3. positive result: green to yellow to orange to red precipitate
test for starch + positive result
METHOD
-add iodine in a potassium iodide solution to the test sample
POSITIVE RESULT
-the solution will change from orange to blue/black
non reducing sugar method + positive result
non reducing sugars = sucrose
- do benedicts test and if it stays blue (negative result) then carry out this test
- heat in a boiling water bath with acid to hydrolyse into reducing sugars
- neutralise with alkali
- heat in a boiling water bath with benedicts solution
- positive result: green to yellow to orange to red precipitate
suggest a method to measure the quantity of sugar in a solution
-carry out benedicts test as above, then filter and dry precipitate
-find mass
suggest another method to measure the quantity of sugar in a solution
- Make sugar solutions of known concentrations
(eg. dilution series) - Heat a set volume of each sample with a set
volume of Benedict’s solution for the same time - Use colorimeter to measure absorbance (of
light) of each known concentration - Plot calibration curve - concentration on x axis,
absorbance on y axis and draw line of best fit - Repeat Benedict’s test with unknown sample and
measure absorbance - Read off calibration curve to find concentration
associated with unknown sample’s absorbance