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Biology > 3.1 Biological molecules - water, ATP and inorganic ions > Flashcards

3.1 Biological molecules - water, ATP and inorganic ions Flashcards

1
Q

what percentage of our bodies are made up of water?

A

60-70%

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2
Q

is water a polar or non polar molecule?

A

polar molecule

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3
Q

why is water a polar molecule?

A

water has an unevenly distributed charge due to the fact that the oxygen atom is slightly negative, and the hydrogen atoms are slightly positive

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4
Q

what type of bonding forms between different water molecules between the oxygen and a hydrogen atom?

A

hydrogen bonds

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5
Q

what are the 5 key properties of water?

A

1 - it is a metabolite (e.g. in condensation and hydrolysis reactions)

2 - an important solvent in reactions

3 - has a high heat capacity, and it buffers temperature

4 - has a large latent heat of vaporisation, providing a cooling effect with loss of water through evaporation

5 - has strong cohesion between water molecules; this supports water columns and provides surface tension

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6
Q

what are examples of reactions is water involved in?

A

photosynthesis, hydrolysis, and condensation reactions

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7
Q

what percentage of the plasma in the blood and the cytoplasm in cells is largely composed of water?

A

approximately 90%

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8
Q

what does it mean by water being a good solvent?

A

many substances dissolve in it
polar molecules dissolve readily in water due to the fact water is polar

the slight positive charge on hydrogen atoms will attract any negative ions in solutes and the slight negative charge on the oxygen atoms of water will attract any positive ions in solutes

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9
Q

are polar water molecules hydrophobic or hydrophilic?

A

hydrophilic, meaning they are attracted to water

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10
Q

are non polar molecules such as lipids hydrophobic or hydrophilic?

A

hydrophobic- they are repelled by water

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11
Q

why is water having a high specific heat capacity useful to organisms?

A

the temperature of the water remains relatively stable, therefore, the internal temperatures of plants and animals should remain relatively constant despite the outside temperature, due to the fact a large
proportion of the organism is water

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12
Q

why is water having a high specific heat capacity important for enzymes?

A

enzymes do not denature or reduce activity with temperature
fluctuations

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13
Q

what does large latent heat of vaporisation mean?

A

a lot of energy is required to convert water in its liquid state to a gaseous state

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14
Q

why does water have a large latent heat of vaporisation?

A

due to the hydrogen bonds, as energy is needed to break the hydrogen bonds between water molecules to turn it into a gas

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15
Q

why is a large latent heat of vaporisation advantageous?

A

water provides a significant cooling effect e.g. humans sweating

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16
Q

What is ATP?

A

Adenosine Triphosphate, an immediate source of energy for biological processes.

ATP is crucial for metabolic reactions in cells.

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17
Q

What role do the three phosphate ions in ATP play?

A

They are significant in energy transfer.

The phosphate groups are inorganic and do not contain carbon.

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18
Q

What are the components of ATP?

A
  • Adenine
  • Ribose
  • Three inorganic phosphate groups.

Adenine is a nitrogenous base, and ribose is a pentose sugar.

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19
Q

What is the symbol for inorganic phosphate?

A

Pi

‘P’ represents phosphate, and ‘i’ indicates inorganic.

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20
Q

How is ATP synthesized during respiration?

A

From ADP by the addition of an inorganic phosphate via a condensation reaction using ATP synthase.

ADP stands for adenosine diphosphate.

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21
Q

What enzyme is responsible for hydrolyzing ATP?

A

ATP hydrolase.

This reaction produces ADP and inorganic phosphate.

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22
Q

What is the reaction for ATP hydrolysis?

A

ATP + water -> ADP + Pi + energy.

This process releases a small amount of energy used in chemical reactions.

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23
Q

Fill in the blank: ATP is an immediate energy source because only one bond has to be __________ to release energy.

A

hydrolyzed.

This allows for quick energy release for biological processes.

24
Q

What is cohesion in the context of water molecules?

A

Cohesion is the term used to describe water molecules ‘sticking’ together by hydrogen bonds.

25
Q

What is the advantage of water cohesion in plants?

A

It allows water to move up the xylem as a continuous column, making it easier to draw up.

26
Q

How does cohesion contribute to the surface tension of water?

A

Cohesion provides surface tension, enabling small invertebrates to move and live on the surface.

27
Q

What is one habitat advantage provided by water’s surface tension?

A

It provides small invertebrates with a habitat away from predators within the water.

28
Q

What is the polar nature of water?

A

Water is a polar molecule.

29
Q

What type of bonds form between water molecules?

A

Hydrogen bonds.

30
Q

What are the key properties resulting from water’s polar nature and hydrogen bonds? List any.

A
  • Metabolite
  • Large latent heat of vaporization
31
Q

True or False: Cohesion contributes to the ability of certain organisms to live on the surface of water.

A

True

32
Q

Fill in the blank: Water’s _______ allows it to form hydrogen bonds with itself.

A

polar nature

33
Q

What is the immediate energy source for cells?

A

ATP

ATP (adenosine triphosphate) is the primary energy carrier in cells.

34
Q

What is the process of adding an inorganic phosphate to a compound called?

A

Phosphorylation

Phosphorylation increases the reactivity of compounds.

35
Q

What is released during the hydrolysis of ATP that can bond to other compounds?

A

Inorganic phosphate

This phosphate group can enhance the reactivity of compounds.

36
Q

What is the role of glucose in relation to phosphorylation?

A

Glucose is phosphorylated to become more reactive

This occurs at the start of respiration.

37
Q

List the five key properties of ATP that make it a suitable immediate source of energy.

A
  • Releases energy in small, manageable amounts
  • Small and soluble for easy transport
  • Only one bond is hydrolyzed for immediate energy release
  • Can transfer energy through phosphate groups
  • Cannot pass out of the cell

These properties highlight ATP’s efficiency compared to glucose.

38
Q

True or False: ATP can pass out of the cell.

A

False

ATP remains within the cell to ensure a constant supply of energy.

39
Q

Fill in the blank: ATP releases energy in _______ amounts.

A

small, manageable

This prevents wasted energy and overheating of cells.

40
Q

What happens to glucose during phosphorylation?

A

It becomes more reactive

This process is essential for the initial stages of respiration.

41
Q

Which molecule can enable phosphorylation by transferring phosphate groups?

A

ATP

Glucose does not have phosphate groups to facilitate this process.

42
Q

How does ATP compare to glucose in terms of energy release?

A

ATP releases energy immediately; glucose requires several bonds to be broken

This makes ATP more efficient for quick energy needs.

43
Q

What is the significance of ATP being small and soluble?

A

It is easily transported around the cell

This allows ATP to provide energy for various chemical reactions.

44
Q

What are inorganic ions?

A

Inorganic ions dissolve to form solutions found within the cytoplasm of cells and other body fluids.

45
Q

Do all inorganic ions require the same concentration?

A

No, some inorganic ions are required in high concentrations, while others are required in very low concentrations.

46
Q

What role do hydrogen ions play in biological systems?

A

They determine pH, which is linked to enzymes.

47
Q

What is the function of iron ions in the body?

A

They are a component of haemoglobin, linked to the transport of oxygen.

48
Q

What is the role of sodium ions?

A

Involved in co-transport, linked to the absorption of glucose and amino acids in the ileum.

49
Q

What do phosphate ions contribute to?

A

They are a component of DNA and ATP, linked to nucleotides and nucleotide derivatives.

50
Q

What is ATP?

A

A nucleotide derivative made of adenine, ribose, and 3 phosphate groups.

51
Q

What is the immediate source of energy for a cell?

A

ATP.

52
Q

What is phosphorylation?

A

The addition of an inorganic phosphate to a molecule, transferring energy to that molecule.

53
Q

Fill in the blank: ATP is a _______ derivative.

A

nucleotide

54
Q

True or False: Inorganic ions perform the same function regardless of their properties.

A

False

55
Q

List the key inorganic ions and their functions.

A
  • Hydrogen ions - determine pH
  • Iron ions - transport oxygen
  • Sodium ions - co-transport of glucose and amino acids
  • Phosphate ions - component of DNA and ATP

Biology (8 decks)

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