Lipids, Proteins, & Nucleic Acids

What is the function(s) of Lipids?

energy storage, insulation, and creating bi-layers of the cell membrane

What is unique about lipids?

Lipids are insoluble in water, or hydrophobic; Lipids are not polymers made from monomers

Types of Lipids

fats, phospholipids, & steroids (cholesterol)

What is fat composed of?

glycerol molecule + 3 fatty acids

What bonds do fatty acids and glycerol make?

ester linkage

What is a fat molecule called?

triglyceride

What is a fatty acid?

a hydrocarbon chain

Which is healthier: unsaturated fatty acids or saturated fatty acids

unsaturated (with polyunsaturated being the healthiest)

How is trans-fat created?

by hydrogenating (add hydrogen) unsaturated fats; note trans-fat is very unhealthy

What can a diet of saturated fats risk?

cardiovascular disease

What are anabolic steroids?

synthetic variant of testosterone used to build muscle and bone mass; can cause mood swings, liver damage, and even cancer

What are the functions of proteins?

catalysts, transportation, defense, signaling, receptor, constructive, structural, and storage

Types of proteins structures

globular and fibrous

What are the monomers of proteins?

amino acids

What are amino acids made from?

a carboxyl group, amino group, central carbon, hydrogen, and side chain (“R“ group)

The bond between amino acids

peptide bond

What is the polymer of amino acids

peptide (chain)

How are proteins digested?

They’re broken down by hydrolysis into amino acids with the help of enzymes, then the amino acids are restructured by dehydration synthesis into proteins the body can use

Where do you find hydrophobic amino acids in a protein?

the center

monomers of nucleic acids

nucleotides

What determines the sequences of amino acids?

inherited genes

What is the function of DNA

provides genetic info

What is the function of RNA?

synthesis (creation of) proteins

Where does RNA get its protein codes?

DNA

What bases do nucleotides use?

adenine; thymine; cytosine; guanine; uracil

How do RNA and DNA differ in their nucleotide bases?

DNA uses thymine while RNA uses uracil (both use adenine, thymine, & cytosine)

a nucleotide polymer

polynucleotide

Where is RNA and DNA found?

DNA: nucleus RNA: throughout the cell

What sugars do DNA and RNA use?

DNA: Deoxyribose RNA: Ribose