Biology- Biological molecules

what are monomers

are small molecules/units which can be combined to form larger molecules, eg, amino acids, nucleotides and monosaccharides.

what are polymers

are lots of monomers formed to make a larger molecule.

what is a condensation reaction?

Two molecules form forming  a chemical bond and a larger molecule, includes the exclusion of a water molecule. 

what is hydrolysis

is the use of water molecule to break the chemical bonds within a larger molecule to produce smaller molecules

what are carbohydrates

molecules containing carbon, oxygen and hydrogen only, they are sugar chain saccharides

what is one monomer of a carbohydrate called

monosaccharide

what does the condensation reaction of two monosaccharides form

disaccharide which forms a glycosidic bond and a water molecule

list the three disaccharides and its monosaccharides

glucose + glucose = maltose

glucose + fructose = sucrose

glucose + galactose = lactose

what is the chemical equation for simple sugars

(CH2O)2

What are the two isomers of glucose

alpha glucose ( HHO) and Beta glucose ( OHH)

what are polysaccharides

the condensation reaction between multiple glucose units ( type of monosaccharide)

what polysaccharides are formed by the condensation reaction of alpha glucose molecules

glycogen and starch

what polysaccharide are formed by the condensation reaction of multiple beta glucose

cellulose

what are the features of glycogen

• Contains 1,4 and 1,6 glycosidic bonds 

• Releases energy quickly due to multiple side branches in which the enzyme works simultaneously on.

• Main energy storage molecule in animals 

• Insoluble so it does not change water potential of cells and diffuse out of cells. 

• Large and compact to maximise storage.

what are the two components of starch

amylopectin and amylose

what are the features of amylose

• has 1,4 glycosidic bonds

• has a helix shape making it compact

• making it useful for storage

what are features of amylopectin

has 1,4 and 1,6 glycosidic bonds, meaning it has multiple side branches allowing glucose to be released rapidly from amylopectin

why is starch suitable for storage

Large and compact, due to amylose having a spiral structure and amylopectin having multiple side branches.

Insoluble in water. Meaning it will not diffuse out of cells and change water potential. Starch allows plants to store large amounts of glucose without massively changing osmotic potential

Starch can be hydrolyzed, allowing it to breakdown into glucose molecules when the plants require it for respiration growth or producing other biological molecules. 

What are features of cellulose