Topic 2.1: Metabolic Molecules Flashcards
(25 cards)
What is an organic compound
A compound that contains carbon and is found in living things
What is carbon
The basis of organic life due to its ability to form large and complex molecules
They can form four covalent bonds with bonds between, allowing them to form a wide variety of chemically stable organic compounds
What are the main classes of carbon compounds
Carbohydrates
Lipids
Nucleic Acids
Proteins
What are carbohydrates composed of
monomers called monosaccharides
What are monosaccharides
the building blocks of disaccharides and polysaccharides
What do lipids consist of
fatty acid chains of hydrocarbons (unsaturated or saturated)
What are the monomers that proteins are composed of
Amino acids which help to form polypeptide chains
What monomer makes up nucleic acids
Nucleotides which join to make polynucleotide chains
What are the three main classes of lipids
Spimle lipids
Compound lipids
Derived lipids
What are simple lipids
Esters of fatty acids and alcohol
What are compound lipids
Esters of fatty acids, alcohol and adittional groups
What are derived lipids
Substances derived from simple or compounds lipids
What are three main types of lipids
Triglyceride
Phospholipid
Steroid
How is a dipeptide made
Through the fusion of two amino acids
What is urea
an example of a compound that is produced by living organisms but can also be artificially synthesized
How has vitalism as a theory been disproven
Through the discovery that organic molecules can be artificially synthesized
The artificial synthesis of urea demonstrates that organic molecules are not fundamentally different to inorganic molecules
What is metabolism
It describes the totality of chemical processes that occur within a living organism in order to maintain life
The web of all enzyme-catalyzed reactions that occur within a cell or organism
What are the two key functions of metabolic reactions
Providing a source of energy for cellular processes (MR H GREN)
They enable the synthesis and assimilation of new materials for use within the cell
What is anabolism
the synthesis of complex molecules from simpler molecules including the formation of macromolecules from monomers by condensation reactions
How do condensation reactions occur
When monomers are covalently joined and water is produced as a by-product
What is the purpose of anabolism
to synthesize complex molecules from simpler ones, which uses energy to construct new bonds, and typically involves reduction reactions
What is the purpose of condensation reactions
When small molecules are assembled into larger ones and water is produced
What is hydrolysis
Reactions that require the consumption of water molecules to break the bonds within the polymer
What is the purpose of catabolism
to break down complex molecules into simpler ones, releasing energy when bonds are broken, typically involving oxidation reactions
