vocab

macromolecules - large molecules that were created by multiple monomers covalently binding together

  • are 4 classes: carbohydrates, nucleic acids, proteins and lipids

monomers - the basic building blocks that can link together to form polymers

dehydration synthesis/condensation reaction - a type of polymerisation reaction where 2 molecules (monomers?) combine to form one molecule, and water is released as a result

  • a hydroxyl group is released from one molecule (-OH) & hydrogen atom (H) is released from other molecule

1,4 glycosidic bond - a covalent bond that links 2 glucose molecules together & water is released

  • formed between carbon 1 of one molecule & carbon 4 of another molecule & oxygen atom is shared between them

disaccharide - term for 2 molecules/monosaccharides that’re joined together

polysaccharide - term for more than 2 molecules/monosaccharides that’re joined together

  • ex: starch in plants & glycogen in animals, which’re both composed of alpha-glucose molecules

hydrolysis reactions - a process where water molecules break the covalent bonds between two monomers (like the glycosidic bond between 2 glucoses). the individual monomers are now available for biological processes

isomers - structures which hv the same molecular formula as another molecule BUT a different spatial arrangement of atoms

organic molecules - contain carbon

inorganic molecules - don’t contain carbon

monosaccharides - a type of monomer & serve as a primary energy source for fuelling cell metabolism

oxidation - electrons are lost to another atom/molecule

reduction - electrons are gained by another atom/molecule

amylase - a type of starch that’s a linear polysaccharide

  • composed of glucose molecules that’re connected through alpha 1,4 glycosidic bonds

  • coiled structure

amylopectin - another type of starch thats highly branched

  • again composed of glucose molecules that’re connected through alpha 1,4 glycosidic bond

    • but has the occasional alpha 1,6 glycosidic bond

  • branching structure = efficient for glucose storage

cellulose - a complex polysaccharide composed of beta-glucose molecules only & is an important component of cell wall

microfibrils - long, unbranched chains of beta glucose

  • held together by hydrogen bonding cross-linking between adjacent cellulose molecules

  • i think they form cellulose

  • the hydrogen bonds form a lattice structure, which provides strong tensile strength that supports plant cell wall

  • without the cellulose, the cell wall wouldn’t withstand the forces of osmosis & would collapse

glycoproteins - proteins that hv one or more carbohydrates attached to them

  • are involved in cell-cell recognition, receptors, ligands & structural support

  • are also involved in the ABO blood system

    • antigens (A&B) are glycoproteins that dictate a person’s blood type

lipids - a diverse group of organic molecules that are important for storing energy, insulation & cell membrane structure

  • common lipids: fats, oils, waxes & steroids

triglyceride - made by combining 3 fatty acids with one glycerol

  • are long-term energy storage in animals & plants

ester bond - a covalent bond formed between a carboxylic acid group (the carboxyl group on fatty acid) & the hydroxyl group in an alcohol (in this case, on the glycerol)

  • REMEMBER water is released as a byproduct

phospholipids - a type of lipid that’re composed when one glycerol binds to 2 fatty acids & 1 phosphate

hydrocarbon chains - unbranched chains of carbon atoms, which’re connected through covalent bonds. each carbon atom is also covalently bonded to a hydrogen atom

  • make up the backbone of fatty acid molecules

saturated fatty acids - hv no double bonds in their hydrocarbon chains

  • solid at room temp & hv maximum number of hydrogens

unsaturated fatty acids - hv one or more double bonds

  • these bonds form kinks = liquid at room temp

  • can be monounsaturated or polyunsaturated

monounsaturated - only hv 1 double bond in hydrocarbon chain

polyunsaturated - hv 2 or more double bonds in hydrocarbon chain

cis-fatty acids - an isomer of unsaturated fatty acids

  • hydrogen atoms are on the same side of the 2 double-bonded carbon atoms

  • hv a low melting point cuz of the kinks caused by the double-bonds

  • also liquid

trans-fatty acids - an isomer of unsaturated fatty acids

  • hydrogen atoms are on opposite sides

  • no kinks = straight, linear structure

  • higher melting point

  • solid at room temp

amphipathic - a molecule that has both hydrophobic & hydrophilic properties

  • phospholipids are an example of this