Carbohydrates, Lipids, Proteins, and Nucleic Acids

These flashcards cover essential concepts related to carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids, including their structures, functions, and roles in biological processes.

What is the general formula for carbohydrates?

(CH2O)n, where n is the number of carbon atoms.

What is a monosaccharide?

The smallest non-hydrolyzable unit of carbohydrate.

How are disaccharides formed?

By the linkage of two monosaccharides via a glycosidic bond.

What distinguishes aldoses from ketoses?

Aldoses contain an aldehyde group; ketoses contain a ketone group.

What is an enantiomer?

A mirror image of a stereoisomer.

What are chiral carbon atoms?

Atoms that are bonded to four different groups.

What does the ‘D’ and ‘L’ designation refer to in carbohydrates?

It is based on the orientation of the hydroxyl (-OH) group on the chiral carbon furthest from the carbonyl.

What is the composition of carbohydrates?

They contain at least one carbonyl group and many hydroxyl groups.

What is the main energy source for the brain?

Glucose (C6H12O6).

What is maltose?

A disaccharide composed of one molecule of α-D-glucose and one of α- or ß-D-glucose connected by an α(1→4) glycosidic bond.

What are triglycerides?

Esters composed of three fatty acids joined to a glycerol molecule.

What are the differences between saturated and unsaturated fatty acids?

Saturated fatty acids have no double bonds and higher melting points, while unsaturated fatty acids have one or more double bonds and lower melting points.

What are phosphoglycerides?

Phospholipids made up of two fatty acids and one phosphate connected to glycerol.

What is the primary structure of proteins?

The sequence of amino acids in a polypeptide stabilized by peptide bonds.

What is a peptide bond?

An amide bond formed between the carbonyl group of one amino acid and the amino group of another.

What is the function of enzymes?

Biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions.

What are nucleotides?

The monomers that make up nucleic acids, composed of a five-carbon sugar, a nitrogenous base, and phosphate groups.

What is the significance of DNA's double helix structure?

It enables complementary base pairing and provides stability to the genetic material.

What role does ATP play in metabolism?

It serves as the universal energy carrier of the cell, storing energy in the form of bonds.

What happens during transcription?

A strand of RNA is synthesized using DNA as a template, forming a transcript.

What is the central dogma of molecular biology?

The flow of genetic information from DNA to RNA to protein.

What is catabolism?

Reactions that break down molecules to release energy.

What is anabolism?

Reactions that utilize energy to synthesize molecules.