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OCR Biology A - 2.1.2 - Biological Molecules Part 1

Biology25 CardsCreated about 1 month ago

This deck covers key concepts and definitions related to biological molecules, focusing on carbohydrates, their structures, and reactions.

Definition of carbohydrate

Group of substances used as both an energy source and structural material
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Key Terms

Term
Definition
Definition of carbohydrate
Group of substances used as both an energy source and structural material
General formula of carbohydrates
Cx(H2)y
3 main groups of simple carbohydrates
Monosaccharide Disaccharide Polysaccharide
Key facts about glucose
Abundant and very important Major energy source Highly soluble and main form of carbohydrates transported in animals
Why is glucose a hexose sugar
It has 6 carbon atoms
What does glucose exist as
Structural isomers

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TermDefinition
Definition of carbohydrate
Group of substances used as both an energy source and structural material
General formula of carbohydrates
Cx(H2)y
3 main groups of simple carbohydrates
Monosaccharide Disaccharide Polysaccharide
Key facts about glucose
Abundant and very important Major energy source Highly soluble and main form of carbohydrates transported in animals
Why is glucose a hexose sugar
It has 6 carbon atoms
What does glucose exist as
Structural isomers
Common isomers of glucose
Alpha glucose Beta glucose
What is the difference between the isomers of glucose
The OH is below the first carbon in the structure of alpha glucose whereas it is above the first carbon in the structure of beta glucose Minor structural difference has a major effect on roles of alpha and beta glucose
Key points about fructose
Fructose is very soluble and the main sugar in fruits It is much sweeter than glucose
Key points about galactose
It is not as soluble as glucose and fructose It is important in making glycolipids and glycoproteins
Important pentoses
Ribose Deoxyribose
What is the difference in the structures of ribose and deoxyribose
Ribose has a H above the second carbon and an OH below Deoxyribose has only a H above and below the second carbon
What does the prefix ‘glyco’ tell us
It has something to do with carbohydrates
Condensation reaction
Attaching two monosaccharides by the formation of a glycosidic bond to produce a disaccharide and water
Hydrolysis reaction
Breaking the glycosidic bond in a disaccharide with the addition of water
Maltose
Glucose and Glucose
How is maltose joined
By an alpha 1-4 glycosidic bond
Sucrose
Fructose and Glucose
How is sucrose joined
By an alpha 1-4 glycosidic bond
Lactose
Galactose and Glucose
How is lactose joined
By an beta 1-4 glycosidic bond
Are monosaccharides reducing or not
Reducing
Heterogeneous
Composed of different types
Macromolecules
Molecules consisting of large numbers of atoms
Metabolism
All the chemical reactions that occur in cells