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Bio Lecture 4

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Terms in this set (29)

  • What is dehydration synthesis?
    A chemical reaction where monomers are joined by removal of H2O, forming covalent bonds between them.
  • What is hydrolysis?
    A reaction where water is added to break covalent bonds between monomers, releasing them.
  • What are monosaccharides?
    Simple sugars and monomers of carbohydrates, containing 3 to 7 carbon atoms, e.g., glucose, fructose.
  • What are disaccharides?
    Carbohydrates made of two linked monosaccharides, e.g., sucrose, maltose, lactose.
  • What are polysaccharides?
    Long chains (polymers) of linked monosaccharides, e.g., glycogen, starch, cellulose.
  • What is the structure of a triglyceride?
    One glycerol molecule bonded to three fatty acids via dehydration synthesis.
  • What characterizes saturated fats?
    Fatty acids with only single bonds between carbons, fully saturated with hydrogen, solid at room temperature.
  • What characterizes unsaturated fats?
    Fatty acids with one or more double bonds causing kinks, liquid at room temperature.
  • What is a phospholipid?
    A lipid with a glycerol, two fatty acid tails (nonpolar, hydrophobic), and a phosphate-containing polar head (hydrophilic).
  • What is the main function of phospholipids in the body?
    They form the bilayer structure of cell membranes.
  • Name the major lipid types found in the body.
    Triglycerides, phospholipids, steroids, cholesterol, bile salts, vitamin D, sex hormones, corticosteroids, and eicosanoids.
  • What is a peptide bond?
    A covalent bond linking amino acids in proteins formed by dehydration synthesis.
  • What are structural proteins? Give an example.
    Proteins providing mechanical support, e.g., collagen in connective tissue.
  • What is the function of enzyme proteins?
    Catalyze biochemical reactions; examples include disaccharidases and oxidases.
  • What is the role of transport proteins?
    Move substances across membranes or in blood, e.g., hemoglobin transports oxygen.
  • What are contractile proteins?
    Proteins involved in movement, e.g., actin and myosin in muscle contraction.
  • What are communication proteins?
    Transmit signals between cells, acting as chemical messengers or receptors, e.g., insulin.
  • What are defensive proteins?
    Protect against disease, e.g., antibodies that bind and inactivate foreign substances.
  • Describe the primary structure of a protein.
    The linear sequence of amino acids forming the polypeptide chain.
  • What is the secondary structure of proteins?
    Local folding into alpha helices or beta pleated sheets stabilized by hydrogen bonds.
  • What is the tertiary structure of a protein?
    The 3D folding of secondary structures into a compact shape held by intramolecular bonds.
  • What is the quaternary structure of proteins?
    The interaction and assembly of two or more polypeptide chains into a functional protein.
  • What happens during protein denaturation?
    Proteins lose their 3D shape and function due to factors like heat or pH changes; often reversible.
  • What is the role of enzymes?
    Biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions without being consumed.
  • How do enzymes work?
    Substrate binds to enzyme's active site forming a complex, substrate is converted to product, then released.
  • What factors affect enzyme activity?
    Temperature and pH; enzymes have optimal conditions for maximum activity.
  • What are nucleic acids?
    Polymers of nucleotides; DNA stores genetic information, RNA helps synthesize proteins.
  • What is ATP and its function?
    Adenosine triphosphate; the main energy currency of the cell powering biochemical reactions.
  • How is energy released from ATP?
    By hydrolysis of high-energy phosphate bonds, converting ATP to ADP or AMP and releasing energy.