What is a chiral carbon?
A chiral carbon is a carbon atom that is attached to four different atoms or groups of atoms. Because all four substituents are different, the carbon cannot be superimposed on its mirror image, much like how your left and right hands are mirror images but not identical.
For all biomolecules the structure of a molecule determines the…
Function of the molecule
Define conformation
The spatial arrange of substituent groups that are free to assume different positions in space, without breaking any bonds, because of the freedom of bond rotation.
Define configuration
refers to the fixed arrangement of atoms in space that can only be changed by breaking and reforming covalent bonds.
cis isomer
identical or similar groups are on the same side of the double bond or ring.
Trans isomer
identical or similar groups are on opposite sides.
What is a stereoisomer
stereoisomer is a type of isomer where molecules have the same molecular formula and same connectivity of atoms, but differ in the three-dimensional arrangement of their atoms in space.
What are the 3 laws of thermodynamics?
1.Energy cannot be created nor destroyed, only converted
- The total entropy of an isolated system always increases over time; in simpler terms, the universe tends toward a state of disorder.
- As a systems temperature approaches absolute zero, its entropy approaches a minimum value which is zero.
Rule to identify chiral carbons?
A chiral carbon must be attached to four different groups — not just different atoms, but different entire groups (which may start with the same element, like carbon).
What are the advantages of constructing biomolecules as polymers
Simplicity: simple and conserved reactions for synthesis and degradation.
Recycling: Biomolecules can be digested back to component building blocks which are reusable.
Diversity: Incredibly complex molecules can be generated.
What are proteins? And what purpose do they serve?
-Linear polymers of Amino Acids.
-Amino acids link together to form linear chains that fold into complex patterns with distinct biological activities.
What are carbohydrates? And what purpose do they serve?
-Carbohydrates include monosaccharides, disaccharides and polysaccharides.
-The higher order polysaccharides serve many functions like energy storage and cellular recognition.
What are nucleic acids? And what purpose do they serve?
-Nucleic acids are linear polymers of nucleotide building blocks.
-They are involved in all aspects of storage and utilization of genetic information.
What are the building blocks of nucleotides?
The building blocks are Adenine, Guanine, Cytosine, Uracil, and Thymine.
What are lipids? And what purpose do they serve?
-Lipids are aggregates of building blocks rather than polymers.
-Lipids serve in energy storage, formation of membranes and signaling.
Differences between prokaryotes and eukaryotes
Prokaryotes: -Small, simple, ex: (bacteria)
-Rapid growth allows for quick adaptation to changing environment.
-Single compartment nucleoid
Eukaryotes: -Larger complex cells
-Makes up multicellular organisms
-Has organelles like golgi, mitochondria, smooth + rough ER
What are the two experimental approaches?
In vitro (in glass) - Studies the behavior of molecules outside the living organism
In Vivo (In living) - Studies occur inside the complexity of the cell or organism.
What are the 4 different groups attached to the central carbon in an amino acid?
- The amino group - NH2 or NH3
- Carboxyl group - COOH or COO
- Hydrogen atom - H+
- R group or sidechain - This is the variable group that can change how to amino acid functions
(delta) G > 0
Non-spontaneous process, needs input of free energy to proceed.
Endergonic
(delta) G < 0
Spontaneous process, releases free energy which can be used to do work; proceeds until equilibrium is reached.
Exergonic
