1.1 Introduction to biological molecules Flashcards
Define an atom
Building blocks of all matter
Smallest particle of an element
Define an ion
Atom or molecule with a net electric charge due to the loss or gain of one or more electrons
Define a molecule
Made when two or more atoms chemically bond together
Define a compound
When a molecule forms with atoms from different elements
Ionic lattice containing two or more different ions
Define covalent bonding
Atoms share a pair of electrons in their outer shells
Strong and are made or broken in the body using enzymes
Define ionic bonding
Ions with opposite charges attract each other
Vary in strength
Define hydrogen bonding
Formed between an hydrogen with a slight positive charge and an atom with a slight negative charge
Very weak and can break and form spontaneously
Define organic compounds
Molecules in which one or more atoms of carbon are covalently linked to atoms of other elements
Define polymerisation
Monomers can be bonded together to make polymers and controlled by enzymes when in an organism
Condensation reaction
Define monomers and give 3 examples
A small repeating molecule that is bonded to many of the same type of molecule to make a larger polymer
Amino acids, nucleotides, monosaccharides (e.g. glucose)
Define polymer and give 6 examples
A large molecule made from a large number of repeating subunits called monomers
Starch, glycogen, cellulose, proteins, DNA, RNA
Define condensation reactions
Produce water as a by-product
All polymerisation reactions are condensation reactions
Joins two molecules together with the formation of a chemical bond and involves the elimination of a molecule of water
Define hydrolysis reactions
Water used as a reactant and water molecule is split
Breakdown of a polymer in to its monomers
Breaks a chemical bond between two molecules and involves the use of a water molecule
How many atoms does a mole of a substance contain?
6.02 x 10^23 atoms
What does the mass of one mole of a compound depend on?
The molecular mass
