Biological Macromolecules and Glucose Metabolism

Flashcards based on the lecture covering monomers, polymers, enzymatic reactions like dehydration and hydrolysis, carbohydrate structures, and blood glucose regulation.

What hormone produced in the pancreas causes blood glucose levels to drop by shifting sugar into liver and muscle cells?

Insulin

What polymer is formed in muscle cells and the liver to store excess glucose in animals?

Glycogen

What is the chemical reaction called when a molecule of water is removed to join monomers together into a growing polymer chain?

A dehydration reaction (also called dehydration synthesis or condensation)

What strong type of chemical bond, involving the sharing of electrons, holds monomers together in a polymer?

A covalent bond

What reaction uses water and enzymes to break covalent bonds and separate polymers into individual monomers?

Hydrolysis

Why can a carbon atom form up to four covalent bonds with other atoms or molecules?

Carbon has a valence of 4, meaning four electrons can be added to its outermost energy shell.

What branched-chain polymer of glucose serves as the primary storage carbohydrate in plants?

Starch

To what broad category of biological macromolecules do most enzymes belong?

Proteins

What suffix at the end of a word usually indicates that a molecule is an enzyme?

-ase

What is the base chemical formula given for carbohydrates?

$$CH_2O$$

Which two monosaccharides combine via a condensation reaction to form sucrose?

Glucose and fructose

Which two monosaccharides combine to form lactose?

Glucose and galactose

What disaccharide is formed when two glucose monomers are linked together?

Maltose

What specific process uses specific enzymes to synthesize the polymer glycogen from glucose monomers?

Glycogenesis

What specific enzymatic process breaks a glucose monomer off from glycogen to raise blood sugar levels?

Glycogenolysis

In addition to insulin, what partner hormone that helps regulate blood sugar is produced in the pancreas?

Glucagon