Unit 1 (Biochemistry) 💜 Flashcards
What are the four classes of biological macromolecules?
Carbohydrates, Lipids, Proteins, Nucleic Acids (CAPL)
What is the significance of Carbohydrates?
Energy (where “we” get our energy from) and Structure (to build bigger molecules)
What are the three sub-types of Carbohydrates?
Mono-Di- and Poly
What are monosaccharides? What is their primary purpose? Why are they soluble?
- Mono’s are simple sugars that are created through photosynthesis.
- They store energy through C-H bonds.
- They are soluble because of their O-H bonds that love to bond with water.
What is the chemical compound of Glucose?
C6-H12-O6 (CHO)
What are disaccharides?
Two mono’s joined by a dehydration reaction
What are examples of joining and breaking reactions?
- Joining=dehydration reaction
- Breaking= hydrolysis reaction
Here are some disaccharides: (maltose, fructose, lactose) What would each turn into if put through a hydrolysis reaction?
- Gluc+Gluc
- Gluc+Fruc
- Gluc+Galactose
Here are some monosaccharide combinations: (Gluc+Gluc) (Gluc+Fructose) (Gluc+Glactose) What would each turn into if put through a hydrolysis reaction?
- Maltose
- Fructose
- Lactose
What are polysaccharides?
Polysaccharides are chains of mono’s, in other words, a polymer of monomers
What are the function of polysaccharides?
They store energy and make up the other layer of certain living organisms.
What form of carbohydrate is Starch? Why is it important?
- Starch is a polysaccharide and a branched polymer of glucoses.
- Starch molecules store energy, specifically in plants.
What form of carbohydrate is Glycogen? Why is it important?
- Glycogen is a polysaccharide and a very branched polymer of glucose.
- Glycogen molecules are immediate storage in animals.
What is the structure of Cellulose? What does it do? Why can’t we digest it?
- A polymer of glucoses
- Cellulose forms the outer wall of plants. It is the most abundant organic molecule on earth.
- It’s because of HOW the glucoses are linked.
What does Chitin do?
It makes up the exoskeletons of arthropods and fungal walls.
What are Lipids?
Differentiated by their inability to dissolve in water (h20 insoluble) these are fats and steroids.
What are triglycerides? What macromolecule umbrella are they under? What is their primary function?
- Triglycerides are made out of three fatty acids attached to a glycerol. Better known as the compound that makes fats and oils.
- They are a lipid.
- They store energy.
What is a fatty acid? Where can you find fatty acids?
- A carbon chain just surrounded with hydrogens.
- A fatty acid is found attached a glycerol molecule, this is called a triglyceride.
What are the primary differences between a saturated and unsaturated fatty acid?
- Saturated FA’s are solid at room temp, while unsaturated FA’s are liquid at room temp.
- SATs are straight while UNS-are kinked. They are so because they have one or more double carbon bonds.
- SATs are energy storage in animals while UNS are produced by plants.
What is a saturated fatty acid? What are they known for? Where can they be found?
- These are called “fats”. They are saturated with hydrogen so they are only single carbon bonds.
- The #1 energy storage in animals.
- Attached to a glycogen, making up a triglyceride.
What is a unsaturated fatty acid? Where can they be found?
- These are called “oils”. They have at least one double Carbon bond, leading them to be “kinked”.
- They are produced by plants, and are found attached to a triglyceride.
What are phospholipids? What are they made of?
They are the #1 component of the cell membrane. They are made out of two fatty acids, a phosphate, and a glycerol.
(Rather than a triglyceride that is three fatty acids and a glycerol)
What are phospholipid bilayers?
These are the wall of cell, making up the cell membrane. Phospholipids form them when exposed to water.
What are steroids?
Steroids are defined as four interlocking rings of Carbon. Other functional groups can be attached as well.
