general biology (Q3)

• Molecules can be divided into 2 types: organic and inorganic
• Inorganic compounds do not consider carbon as its backbone
• Examples of inorganic compounds are water (H2O) and Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
• Inorganic compounds are commonly found in abiotic (nonliving) structures and components
• Organic compounds are composed primarily of carbon and hydrogen
• Organic compounds are commonly found in biotic (living) organisms, structures, and components
• Carbon atoms have 4 covalent bonds, allowing them to form a variety of structures
• The function of an organic molecule depends on its structure
• Many organic molecules have a chain of carbon atoms that often form rings
• Structural models of organic molecules include structural formulas, ball and stick models, and space-filling models
• Organic compounds on living things
• Monomers are single subunits or building blocks of macromolecules
• Polymers are molecules composed of multiple monomers
• Cells build polymers from monomers and break down polymers in reactions
• Examples of organic compounds and their subunits:

  • Carbohydrates: monosaccharides (glucose, fructose, galactose) and polysaccharides
  • Lipids: glycerol and fatty acids
  • Proteins: amino acids and polypeptides
  • Nucleic Acids: nucleotides, DNA, RNA
• Metabolism is the process by which cells acquire and use energy
• Enzymes speed up reactions without being changed by them
• Condensation/Dehydration Synthesis
• Synthesis meaning production
• Monomers are bonded together to form polymers, producing water as a byproduct
• Enzymes covalently bond two monomers while losing water
• Hydrolysis
• Breaks down polymers with the addition of water
• An enzyme splits an organic polymer into its component polymer
• Examples of reactions:

  • Glucose + Galactose → Lactose + Water (Dehydration Synthesis/Condensation)
  • Lactose + Water → Glucose + Galactose (Hydrolysis)
• Carbohydrates
• Organic compounds made up of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen in a 1:2:1 ratio
• Monosaccharides are the simplest carbohydrates (glucose, fructose, galactose)
• Disaccharides consist of two sugars (lactose, sucrose, maltose)
• Polysaccharides are long chains of carbohydrate molecules composed of several smaller monosaccharides monomers (cellulose, starch, sugar)
• Cellulose
• Major structural material of plants
• Consists of long, straight chains of covalently bonded glucose monomers
• Insoluble in water and indigestible in humans
• Dietary fiber in vegetable food helps maintain regular elimination and a healthy digestive system
• Starch
• Coils up into a spiral due to a different covalent bonding pattern between glucose monomers
• Ideal for storing energy in plant cells and can be eaten by humans
• Photosynthesis produces glucose that links to create starch
• Glycogen