Molecules of Life Lecture Notes

These flashcards cover key concepts related to macromolecules, their structure, functions, and biological significance as discussed in the lecture on molecules of life.

What are macromolecules?

Large molecules essential for life, including carbohydrates, proteins, and nucleic acids.

What makes chocolate melt in your mouth?

Cocoa butter, which is high in saturated fats.

What do hair and steak have in common?

They are both made of proteins.

What determines the differences in species DNA?

The arrangement of nucleotides.

What is lactose?

The main sugar found in milk.

What is lactose intolerance?

Inability to properly digest lactose.

How can lactose intolerance be managed?

By avoiding lactose-containing foods or consuming lactase pills.

What is the primary element that forms large, complex molecules necessary for life?

Carbon.

What are organic compounds?

Carbon-based molecules.

What kind of bonds can carbon form?

Four covalent bonds.

What are functional groups?

Groups of atoms involved in chemical reactions.

What are the three categories of macromolecules?

Carbohydrates, proteins, and nucleic acids.

What is a dehydration reaction?

The process that links two monomers together by removing a molecule of water.

What is hydrolysis?

The breakdown of polymers by adding water.

What are monosaccharides?

Monomers of carbohydrates that cannot be broken down into smaller sugars.

What are examples of monosaccharides?

Glucose and fructose.

How do glucose and fructose differ despite having the same molecular formula?

They have different structures and properties.

What are disaccharides?

Carbohydrates formed by the combination of two monosaccharides.

Give an example of a disaccharide.

Sucrose (table sugar), lactose (milk sugar), or maltose.

What is a polysaccharide?

Complex carbohydrates made of long chains of sugars.

What is starch?

A polysaccharide used by plants to store energy.

What is glycogen?

The energy storage polysaccharide in animals.

What is cellulose?

A polysaccharide that forms the tough walls of plant cells.

What types of molecules are hydrophobic?

Lipids.

What is a triglyceride?

A fat molecule composed of glycerol and three fatty acids.

What is the difference between saturated and unsaturated fats?

Saturated fats have the maximum number of hydrogens; unsaturated fats have fewer due to double bonds.

What are steroids?

A type of lipid with a carbon skeleton of four fused rings.

What role do proteins play in the body?

Structural support, storage, movement, transport, and enzymatic functions.

What are amino acids?

The monomers of proteins.

How does the sequence of amino acids affect a protein?

The sequence determines the protein's three-dimensional shape and function.

What can cause proteins to misfold?

Unfavorable changes in the environment, such as temperature or pH.

What are nucleic acids?

Macromolecules that store information and provide instructions for building proteins.

What are the two types of nucleic acids?

DNA and RNA.

What is the structure of a nucleotide?

A five-carbon sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogen-containing base.

What are the four nitrogenous bases in DNA?

Adenine, guanine, thymine, and cytosine.

How do the bases in DNA pair?

A pairs with T and G pairs with C.

What is the process of protein synthesis?

It involves transcription (from DNA to mRNA) and translation (from mRNA to protein).