The Structure and Function of Large Biological Molecules

This set of flashcards covers key concepts related to the structure and function of large biological molecules, including carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.

What are the four classes of large biological molecules?

Carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.

Define a polymer.

A long molecule consisting of many similar building blocks called monomers.

What type of reaction joins two monomers together?

A dehydration reaction.

How are polymers disassembled into monomers?

Through hydrolysis.

What are the simplest carbohydrates known as?

Monosaccharides.

What is a disaccharide?

A sugar formed when two monosaccharides are joined by a dehydration reaction.

What structural form does cellulose represent?

A structural polysaccharide.

What process converts unsaturated fats to saturated fats?

Hydrogenation.

What are the major functions of fats?

Energy storage, cushioning vital organs, and insulating the body.

What distinguishes saturated fats from unsaturated fats?

Saturated fats contain the maximum number of hydrogen atoms and no double bonds, while unsaturated fats have one or more double bonds.

What is the structure of phospholipids?

Two fatty acids and a phosphate group attached to glycerol.

What are the two types of nucleic acids?

DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid) and RNA (Ribonucleic acid).

What is the basic unit of inheritance?

A gene.

What components make up a nucleotide?

A nitrogenous base, a pentose sugar, and one or more phosphate groups.

What structural arrangement do DNA molecules form?

A double helix.

What is denaturation in proteins?

The loss of a protein's native structure, making it biologically inactive.

What are chaperonins?

Proteins that assist in the proper folding of other proteins.

What causes sickle-cell disease?

A single amino acid substitution in the protein hemoglobin.

Describe primary structure in proteins.

The unique sequence of amino acids in a protein.

What types of interactions determine tertiary structure in proteins?

Interactions among R groups, including hydrogen bonds, ionic bonds, hydrophobic interactions, and van der Waals interactions.