Microbiology Macromolecules

dehydration synthesis

H2O removed during chemical reaction that joins monomers together to form polymers.

hydrolysis

Macromolecules broken down into smaller subunits by the addition of H2O.

peptide bond

Formed between the carbonyl group of one amino acid and the amino group of another. Water released in the process.

primary structure of proteins

Sequence of amino acids. Determines shape and function.

secondary structure of proteins yurt

How the primary structure folds into new configurations. Results from weak bonds being formed between amino acids.

tertiary structure of proteins

Three-dimensional structure of proteins.

globular and fibrous

Two types of tertiary structure of proteins.

quaternary structure of proteins

Two or more polypeptides come together in proteins.

protein denaturation

Environmental conditions break the bonds in a protein. Changes shape and makes it stop functioning. Environment determines whether or not the change is reversible.

carbohydrates

Play many roles in organisms including: source of food and energy, form part of nucleic acids, and form part of bacterial cell wall.

1C:2H:1O

Ratio of elements in carbohydrates.

polysaccharide

Large molecule made up of carbohydrate molecules.

oligosaccharide

Short chain of carbohydrate molecules.

monosaccharide

A single carbohydrate molecule. Mostly 5- and 6-carbon sugars.

disaccharide

Produced by joining two monosaccharides together with dehydration synthesis.

lactose

Glucose + Galactose.

sucrose

Glucose + Fructose.

maltose

Glucose + Glucose.

cellulose

Polysaccharide. Polymer of glucose molecules. Principal component of plant cell walls.

glycogen

Polysaccharide. Carbohydrate storage molecule of animals and some bacteria. Polymer of glucose subunits.

dextran

Polysaccharide. Storage molecule for carbohydrates and energy for some bacteria. Polymer of glucose subunits.

DNA

Carries genetic code in all cells, order of nitrogen-containing bases forms genetic instructions of organism, contains deoxyribose

RNA

Decodes sequence of amino acid to produce proteins, contains ribose, single stranded, play a specific role in protein synthesis

nucleotide

Subunit of nucleic acids.

nitrogenous base, 5-carbon sugar, phosphate group

Components of DNA.

phosphodiester bond

Bond created between the phosphate of one DNA nucleotide and the deoxyribose sugar of the adjacent through dehydration synthesis.

purine

Nitrogenous base used in DNA when adenine and guanine are present.

pyridine

Nitrogenous based used in DNA when cytosine and thymine are present.

uracil

Replaces thymine in RNA.

lipid

Critical components of cell membranes, which determine what leaves or enters the cell. Defining feature: insoluble in water.

simple lipids

Contain only carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. The most common ones are called fats. Made up of fatty acids and glycerol.

fatty acid

Long carbon chain plus a COOH group on the end.

glycerol

Carbon chain with 3 hydroxyl groups attached. Allows for the bonding of 3 fatty acids.

triglyceride

3 fatty acids bonded to a glycerol.

saturated

No double bonds in a lipid.

unsaturated

Double bonds in a lipid. Kinks prevent tight packing, so liquid at room temperature (oils).

monounsaturated

One double bond in a lipid.

polyunsaturated

More than one double bond in a lipid.

steroid

Simple lipid, different from fats in that the structure consists of a 4-membered ring.

sterol

Steroid in which one of the rings has an OH group attached.

compound lipid

Contains fatty acids, glycerol, and other elements.

phospholipid

A phosphate and two fatty acids attached to a glycerol molecule. Major component in lipid cell membrane.

phosphate head

The polar (hydrophilic) part of a phospholipid.

fatty acid tail

The nonpolar (hydrophobic) part of a phospholipid.

L-form stereoisomers

amino group on left side of projection

most often found in nature

D-form isomers

amino group found on right side of projection

primary structure

polypeptide chain; amino acid sequence

protein structure

amino group (NH2) , Carboxyl (-COOH) , hydrogen atom (H) , R-group

secondary structure

amino acid chain folds/coils in helix/pleated sheet

tertiary structure

helix/sheet folds irregularly —> disulfide bridges, hydrogen bonds, ionic bonds form between amino acids in the chain

quaternary structure

2 or more polypeptides; several folded polypeptide chains = forms a protein

protein denaturation

proteins encounter hostile environments (ex: temp, pH) and lose shape/function

conjugated proteins

consist of amino acids + other organic molecules (ex: Glycoprotein, Nucleoprotein, Lipoprotein)

functional groups

bond to carbon skeletons, responsible for chemical properties of a particular organic compound

carbohydrates

serve as cell structures and cellular energy sources (sugars and starches)

carbohydrate structure

C, H, O (CH2O)

many are isomers; molecules with same chemical formula, diff structures

monosaccarides

carbohydrates; simple sugars with 3-7 carbon atoms (ex: Glucose, deoxyribose)

Polysaccharides

multiple monosaccharides joined via dehydration (starch, glycogen, dextran, cellulose are polymers of glucose that differ in bonding and function)

Lipids

primary components of cell membranes (C , H , O) NONPOLAR AND INSOLUBLE

Simple Lipids

Fats or triglycerides 

Contain glycerol and fatty acids; formed via dehydration

structural formula of simple lipids

Carboxyl group (COOH), hydrocarbon chain, glycerol

saturated fat

no double bonds in fatty acids

unsaturated fat

one or more double bonds in fatty acids 

complex lipids

contain C , H and O + P , N , and/or S

cell membranes made of complex lipids called phospholipids (glycerol, 2 fatty acids, phosphate group)

steroids

lipids

four carbon rings with OH group attached to one ring; part of membranes that keep membranes fluid (ex: cholesterol)

protein functions

essential for cell structure and function; enzymes that speed up chemical reactions, some bacterial toxins and cell structures, transporter proteins that move chemicals across membranes, flagella

Hydrogen, Carbon, Nitrogen, Oxygen

most abundant chemical elements in living organisms

Elements

atoms with the same number of protons are classified as the same chemical elements