2.1 Molecules to metabolism

Molecules that make up most living things

Carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids.

Organic molecule

A compound that contains carbon and is found in living things

Number of bonds carbon forms

4

Why is carbon the backbone of all biological molecules?

Because it easily forms four stable bonds with itself and a large variety of other elements

Activation energy

Energy needed to get a reaction started

Enzymes

proteins that catalyze biochemical reactions.

How do enzymes lower activation energy?

By making sure that molecules are orientated in a way that makes it more likely that their collision will result in a reaction while using less energy to do so.

Polymer

A long molecule consisting of many similar or identical monomers linked together.

Macromolecules are all

polymers

Subcomponent of carbohydrates

monosaccharides

Subcomponent of lipids

Glycerol, fatty acids

Subcomponent of proteins

Amino acids

Subcomponent of nucleic acids

Nucleotides

Subcategory of carbohydrates

monosaccharides, disaccharides, polysaccharides

Subcategory of lipids

triglycerides, phospholipids, steroids

Example monosaccharides

Glucose, galactose, fructose, ribose

Example disaccharides

maltose, lactose, sucrose

Example polysaccharides

starch, glycogen, cellulose, chitin

Example protein

Enzymes, antibodies, peptide hormones.

Example triglycerides

fat stored in fat tissue

Example Phospholipids

Lipids forming a bilayer in cell membranes

Example steroids

DNA, RNA, ATP

Metabolism

the sum of all biochemical reactions in a cell

Catabolism

Breaking down large molecules into smaller ones. Involves hydrolysis reactions

Anabolism

Building large molecules by putting together many small molecules. Involves condensation reaction

proteins - structure

Composed of C, H, O and N atoms (some may include S)

carbohydrates - structure

have 1:2:1 ratio of C, H and O