NGSS Biology Unit 2 - Biomolecules

4 biomolecules

proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, carbohydrates

lipid function

energy storage, vitamin absorption, hormone production (composed of CHNOPS)

protein function

catalyzing biochemical reactions, providing structure, transporting molecules, regulation of bodily functions - composed of CHONP elements

nucleic acids function

storage and expression of genetic information, protein synthesis - composed of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and phosphorus (CHONP)

carbohydrates function

provision and storage of energy - composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen

carbohydrate monomer

monosaccharide

protein monomer

amino acid

nucleic acid monomer

nucleotide

lipid monomer

triglyceride

glucose indicator

Benedict’s solution - changes from blue to orange if glucose is present

starch indicator

Iodine solution - changes from yellow-brown to blue-black in the presence of starch.

protein indicator

Buret’s solution - changes from blue to purple if proteins are present.

saturated fats

consist of fatty acid chains with no double bonds - typically solid at room temperature

unsaturated fats

consist of fatty acid chains with one or more double bonds - usually liquid at room temperature.

hydrophobic molecules

are nonpolar substances that repel water and do not dissolve in it.

hydrophilic molecules

are polar substances that interact with water and dissolve in it.

2 main sources of energy

carbohydrates and lipids

a string of amino acids is called

a polypeptide chain.

before a polypeptide chain becomes a protein

it must undergo folding and modifications.

dehydration synthesis

is a chemical reaction that joins two molecules by removing water.

hydrolysis

is a chemical reaction that breaks down a compound by adding water.

enzyme

proteins that act as a biological catalysts that trigger or speed up chemical reactions

active site

is the region on an enzyme where substrate molecules bind and undergo a chemical reaction.

substrate

the substance that an enzyme acts upon

lactose intolerance

is the inability to digest lactose due to a deficiency of the enzyme lactase.

colder temperatures

slow down enzyme reactions

hotter temperatures

increase reaction rates until the enzyme denatures

low enzyme concentration

results in slower reaction rates due to fewer active sites available for substrate binding.

high enzyme concentration

increases the rate of reaction by providing more active sites for substrate binding.

low substrate concentration

results in slower reaction rates because there are not enough substrate molecules to occupy the available active sites on the enzyme.

high substrate concentration

leads to faster reaction rates as more substrate molecules are available to bind to the active sites on the enzyme, potentially reaching a saturation point.

acidic environments

can denature enzymes, reducing their activity and altering reaction rates.

basic environments

can denature enzymes, reducing activity

neutral pH environment

optimal environment for enzymes

insulin

a hormone produced by the pancreas that regulates glucose levels in the blood.

type 1 diabetes

a chronic condition where the pancreas produces little or no insulin, leading to high blood sugar levels.

type 2 diabetes

a chronic condition that affects the way the body processes blood sugar (glucose), often associated with insulin resistance.