biochem 2

    Cards (42)

    • What are the four main classes of biological molecules introduced in this lecture?
      Carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids, and proteins
    • What is the significance of complex biological macromolecules being composed of smaller biomolecules?
      It highlights the hierarchical structure of biological systems and their functions
    • How can aldose and ketose sugars be distinguished?
      Aldose sugars contain an aldehyde group, while ketose sugars contain a ketone group
    • What is the formation process of ring structures in monosaccharides?
      In aqueous solution, the carbonyl group reacts with a hydroxyl group to form a ring
    • What is the ratio of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen in monosaccharides?
      The molecular formula is often CnH2nOnC_nH_{2n}O_n where nn = 3, 4, 5, or 6
    • What is the most common isomer of glucose?
      1. glucose (dextrose)
    • What are epimers in the context of monosaccharides?
      Epimers are stereoisomers that differ in configuration at a single asymmetric carbon
    • How do the α- and β-forms of glucose differ when in ring structure?
      They differ in the position of the hydroxyl group attached to carbon 1
    • What type of bond forms between monosaccharides to create complex carbohydrates?
      Glycosidic bonds
    • What are the two types of linkages in polysaccharides?
      α-1,4 linkage and β-1,4 linkage
    • What is the role of starch and glycogen in living organisms?
      They act as energy storage molecules
    • How do sugars modify and link to lipids or proteins?
      They can form complex oligosaccharides that act as recognition molecules on cell surfaces
    • What defines lipids in terms of solubility?
      Lipids are water-insoluble (hydrophobic) but soluble in organic solvents
    • What are the monomeric building blocks of triacylglycerols and glycerophospholipids?
      Fatty acids
    • How do the length and structural formula of fatty acids affect their properties?
      They determine the shape and melting point of the fatty acid
    • What is the structure of triacylglycerols?
      They are formed by ester linkages between fatty acids and glycerol
    • What is the role of glycerophospholipids in cells?
      They form cell membranes and are amphipathic
    • How does cholesterol function in animal cell membranes?
      It modulates membrane fluidity by inserting between glycerophospholipids
    • What are the two types of nucleic acids?
      Ribonucleic acid (RNA) and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)
    • What are the building blocks of RNA and DNA?
      Nucleotides
    • What are the components of a nucleotide?

      A nucleotide consists of a pentose sugar, a nitrogenous base, and a phosphate group
    • What are the nitrogenous bases found in nucleotides?

      Cytosine, thymine, uracil, adenine, and guanine
    • How are nucleotides joined together in DNA?
      They are joined by phosphodiester bonds
    • What is the function of ATP in cells?
      ATP carries chemical energy in its phosphoanhydride bonds
    • What roles do proteins play in the body?
      Proteins carry out mechanical, structural, and transport functions, and act as enzymes
    • How many amino acids are common to all living organisms?
      20 amino acids
    • What determines the unique structure of each protein?
      The information in the DNA sequence of the gene
    • What is the significance of side chains in amino acids?
      Side chains determine the properties of amino acids and how proteins fold
    • What type of bond links amino acids in polypeptides?
      Peptide bonds
    • How do interactions of side chains affect protein folding?
      They determine how proteins fold into their functional shapes
    • What are the main functions of proteins in the body?
      • Mechanical functions
      • Structural roles
      • Transport functions
      • Enzymatic activity (biological catalysts)
    • What is the basic structure of an amino acid?
      • Central carbon atom
      • Amino group (-NH2)
      • Carboxyl group (-COOH)
      • Hydrogen atom
      • Variable side chain (R group)
    • What are the characteristics of hydrophilic and hydrophobic amino acids?
      • Hydrophilic: Water-soluble, often charged or polar side chains
      • Hydrophobic: Water-insoluble, non-polar side chains
    • What is the significance of the peptide bond in proteins?
      • Links amino acids together
      • Forms the backbone of polypeptides
      • Side chains are not involved in peptide bonding
    • What are the types of lipids and their functions?
      • Triacylglycerols: Energy storage
      • Glycerophospholipids: Form cell membranes
      • Steroids: Hormonal functions and membrane fluidity
    • What are the key differences between DNA and RNA?
      • DNA: Double-stranded, contains thymine, deoxyribose sugar
      • RNA: Single-stranded, contains uracil, ribose sugar
    • What is the role of cholesterol in cell membranes?
      • Modulates membrane fluidity
      • Inserts between glycerophospholipids
      • Necessary for animal cell membrane structure
    • What are the types of isomers in monosaccharides?
      • Optical isomers (enantiomers)
      • Epimers: differ at one asymmetric carbon
      • Structural isomers: differ in the arrangement of atoms
    • What is the significance of glycosidic bonds in carbohydrates?
      • Link monosaccharides to form disaccharides and polysaccharides
      • Determine the structure and function of carbohydrates
    • What are the properties of fatty acids that affect their function?
      • Length of carbon chain
      • Saturation (saturated vs. unsaturated)
      • Determines melting point and shape
    See similar decks