Biological Molecules and Enzymes

These flashcards cover key concepts from the lecture on biological macromolecules, their forms, lipids, dietary fats, enzymes, and their functions.

What are the two forms of biological macromolecules discussed in the lecture?

Polymer form and monomer form.

What is an example of how energy is stored in plants?

Plants store excess energy in the form of starch, which consists of linked glucose units.

What role do lipids play in the body?

Lipids provide cushioning for organs and insulation to retain body heat.

What does it mean for a substance to be hydrophobic?

Hydrophobic substances do not interact with water and tend to face away from fluid.

What are triglycerides?

Triglycerides are the form in which dietary fats are stored in the body, consisting of long chains of fat molecules.

What are the two types of dietary fats mentioned?

Saturated fats and unsaturated fats.

How do saturated fats differ from unsaturated fats in terms of structure?

Saturated fats contain only single bonds, while unsaturated fats contain at least one double bond, leading to bends in their chains.

What usually happens to proteins when there are slight changes in their amino acids?

Slight changes can have severe consequences for the protein's function.

What is the function of enzymes like lactase?

Enzymes speed up chemical reactions, such as the breakdown of lactose.

What happens to lactase production as people age?

Many individuals stop producing lactase as they get older, leading to lactose intolerance.