Week 1: Concepts of biomolecules Flashcards
(60 cards)
Give 7 examples of small biomolecules. Give a general explanation of what each example does.
Sugars - monosaccharides, such as glucose. Involved in biological processes.
Fatty acids - involved in biological processes.
Amino acids - building blocks of proteins.
Cholesterol - steroid and key component of cell membranes.
Vitamins - involved in biological processes.
Hormones - involved in biological processes.
Neurotransmitters - involved in biological processes.
Name the 4 main classes of large biomolecules.
Carbohydrates - made up of monosaccharides, which are monomers containing carbon, hydrogen and oxygen.
Lipids
Proteins - can be made up if thousands of atoms and are major structural components of cells.
Nucleic acids - DNA and RNA are examples of nucleic acids, which store an organism’s genetic code.
What elements make up biological compounds?
Carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen and phosphorus.
What does it mean if a molecule is organic?
It contains Carbon.
What are carbohydrates used for?
Commonly known as sugars and starches, carbohydrates are the primary source of energy used for cellular processes and brain function.
How are lipids formed and what is a lipid’s job?
Like carbohydrates, lipids are composed of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen.
In addition to storing energy, lipids help build certain hormones, provide insulation and form cell membranes.
How are proteins formed and what is a protein’s job?
Proteins contain atoms from the main three elements plus nitrogen. They are formed from 21 types of monomers called amino acids.
Proteins comprise the majority of the biological molecules in your cells. They build tissues like muscles, and help direct many other bodily functions, including the immune response.
How are nucleic acids formed and what is their job?
Nucleic acids - like DNA and RNA - are constructed from monomers called nucleotides, which add phosphorus to the other four composite elements.
Nucleic acids carry your genetic code and translate it into the actual proteins that perform your bodily functions.
What happens in the transcription step of the central dogma?
DNA is read by RNA polymerase, which creates a complementary strand of RNA.
What happens in the translation step of the central dogma?
The RNA is read by ribosomes to make proteins.
What happens in the DNA replication step of the central dogma?
DNA makes a copy of itself during cell division.
What are the steps of the central dogma?
- DNA replication
- Transcription
- Splicing
- Translation
What is the exception of the central dogma?
Reverse transcription - Information can flow from RNA to DNA, which then forms RNA again and is translated to form proteins.
List the properties of liquid water.
Polarity and H bond.
Liquid state 0 - 100°C.
Lowest density at 4°C.
High surface tension.
Heat capacity.
Fluid properties.
Soluble to ions such as Na+, K+, Ca2+, Cl-.
What ideas does the dissociation of water molecules reflect?
Competition between the energetics of binding and the entropy of charge liberation.
What is the formula for ionic strength?
What do each of the symbols mean?
I = 1/2 * Sum(CiZi^2)
Sum = Capital sigma.
C = ion concentration
Z = charge
What is the nature of most binding interactions?
Most binding interactions are electrostatic in origin and are often dependent on the concentration of ions in the solution.
What is the electrostatic force between two charged particles?
F = (q1*q2) / (4pi * relative permittivity * r^2)
What is the electric field created by a single charged particle?
E(r) = Q /(4pi * relative permittivity * r^2)
What is the principle of superposition for a charge distribution?
Etot = Sum(Ei)
= Sum( E(r -ri))
What is the result of the polarisation of molecules on the dielectric constant?
Increase it.
What is the dielectric constant of water at room temperature?
80
What are the 4 DNA basis?
A (Adenine)
T (Thymine)
G (Guanine)
C (Cytosine)
What are the 2 (or 4) pairings of the DNA basis?
A - T
G - C
(Could argue the reverse are pairings)
