what are stereoisomers?
molecules that are mirrored images (hands)
what is molecular confirmation?
flexible arrangements
doesn’t break covalent bonds
what is molecular configuration?
fixed arrangements
breaks covalent bonds
3 advantages of biomolecules as polymers?
- simplicity
- recycling
- diversity
2 advantages of carbon
- extremely versatile
- complex molecules can be formed
What are geometric isomers?
have same chemical formula but diff configuration
cis= same
trans=opposite
what are chiral carbons?
have 4 different molecules attached (H, R NH3, COO)
3 characteristics of Chiral Carbons
- can yield 2 stereoisomers
- have same chemical properties, diff biological
- double bonds can’t be chiral carbons
what amino acid is the only one that isn’t a chiral carbon?
Glycine
what are proteins?
linear polymers of amino acids that differ by their side chains
2 functions of higher order polysacchrides?
- structure
- energy storage
what are lipids?
aggregates building blocks together by non-covalent forces
3 functions of lipids?
- energy storage
- signalling
- formation
what doe less bondage of lipids mean?
more variety in structures
what are nucleic acids?
linear polymers of nucleotide building blocks
what are the 5 nucleic acids?
- cytosine
- uracil
- thymine
- adenine
- guanine
nucleic acid function (2)
- storage & utilization of genetic info
In vitro
in glass, studies molecules outside body
in vivo
in the living, within the cell
what is the 1st law of thermodynamics
energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed
what is the 2nd law of thermodynamics?
total entropy (disorder) is always increasing
non-spontaneous
needs input of free energy
spontaneous
releases free energy to do work until equilibrium is reached
what do energy coupling links do?
can drive unfavourable reactions by coupling energy
