3.1 Biological elements Flashcards
What are elements?
A substance that cannot be broken down into simpler substances by chemical means
What are the 4 elements that primarily make up all living things?
Carbon (C), Hydrogen (H), Oxygen (O) and Nitrogen (N)
What are the additional 2 elements that are important in biochemistry?
Phosphorus (P) and Sulfur (S)
How do atoms connect together?
By forming bonds
What do you call when two or more atoms bond together?
A molecule
What is a covalent bond?
Two atoms share a pair of electrons.
How many bonds can Carbon form with other atoms?
They can form 4 bonds
How many bonds can Nitrogen form with other atoms?
They can form 3 bonds
How many bonds can Oxygen form with other atoms?
They can form 2 bonds
How many bonds can Hydrogen form with other atoms?
They can form 1 bond
What is an ion?
An atom or molecule where the amount of electrons is not the same as the amount of protons.
What happens to electrons in ionic bonds?
One atom in the pair donates an electron and the other receives it, forms positive and negative ions that are held together by the attraction of opposite charges.
What are ions in a solution called?
Electrolytes.
What are calcium ions necessary for?
(Ca2+) nerve impulse transmission and muscle contraction
What are sodium ions necessary for? (Na+)
nerve impulse transmission and kidney function
What are potassium ions necessary for? (K+)
Nerve impulse transmission and stomatal opening
What are hydrogen ions necessary for? (H+)
Catalysis of reactions and pH determination
What are ammonium ions necessary for? (NH4 +)
Production of nitrate ions by bacteria
What are nitrate ions necessary for? (NO3 -)
Nitrogen supply to plants for amino acid and protein formation
What are hydrogen carbonate ions necessary for? (HCO3 -)
Maintenance of blood pH
What are chloride ions necessary for? (Cl-)
Balance positive charge of sodium and potassium ions in cells
What are phosphate ions necessary for? (PO4 3-)
Cell membrane formation
Nucleic acid and ATP formation
Bone formation
What are hydroxide ions necessary for? (OH-)
Catalysis of reactions
pH determination
What are the main biological molecules?
Carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and nucleic acids
What are polymers?
Long-chain molecules made up by linking of multiple individual molecules (monomers) in a repeating pattern
