Bio 112 Week 4 Study Guide Organic Molecules

Flashcards about organic molecules

Why are functional groups important?

Functional groups determine the chemical properties and chemical interactions of a molecule.

What are the four classes of biological macromolecules? What are the monomers of each?

Proteins: amino acids, Carbohydrates: monosaccharides, lipids: glycerol, fatty acids, Nucleic acids: nucleotides

What is the main function of carbohydrates in living organisms?

Carbohydrates are an immediate source of energy because organisms break them down into glucose and then used by cells to produce ATP. They are also turned into glycogen to store energy. In plants, cellulose forms cell walls for structure and support.

What are the monomers of carbohydrates?

Glucose, fructose, and galactose (these are monosaccharides)

Are there carbohydrate isomers? Why does this matter?

They exist in different isomeric forms with variations in their structural arrangements, causing different properties and functions.

What is a polymer of carbohydrates? What are some examples we discussed and what are their roles in living things?

Polysaccharides function to form energy storage, structural integrity, and make cells.

Lipids are a diverse group of molecules, but what characteristic do they share that lets us group them together?

Lipids tend to be hydrophobic (non-polar) because they lack regions with positive or negative charge.

What is the function of fat in living organisms?

Main functions of triglycerides is to store energy in compact form

What are the structural differences between saturated and unsaturated fats? Which is solid at room temperature? Liquid?

Saturated fatty acids are straight and solid at room temperature, while unsaturated fatty acids are bent because of a double bond and liquid at room temperature.

How does the double bond in a fatty acid impact its structure? How does this relate to its physical properties?

It causes a bend/kink in the molecule, resulting in the inability of molecules being able to pack tightly, meaning more of a fluid form.

What is the difference between trans-fat and cis-fatty acid?

In cis fatty acids, hydrogen atoms are on the same side of the double bond. Trans fatty acids have hydrogen atoms on opposite sides.

What is a phospholipid? What is unique about this molecule? Why are these important?

A phospholipid has a hydrophilic phosphate group and hydrophobic fatty acid tails and make up the main component of cell membranes.

What is the role of steroids in living organisms?

Steroids are messengers to influence cellular processes.

How do living organisms alter the structure of hormones to alter their function?

Enzyme processes can alter hormone function by modifying hormone structure.

What is the role of prostaglandins in living organisms?

Prostaglandins regulate bodily functions: pain, inflammation, blood clot information, and reproduction.