Bio20- Biochem Flashcards
CHNOPS
The six main elements in living things: Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen, Oxygen, Phosphorus, and Sulfur.
Covalent vs ionic bonds
Covalent bonds share electrons; ionic bonds transfer electrons.
Non-polar vs polar molecules
Non-polar = equal electron sharing (no charge); polar = uneven sharing (partial charges).
Polymer
Large molecule made of repeating small units (monomers).
Monomer
A single unit that joins with others to form a polymer.
Dehydration synthesis
A chemical reaction that joins molecules by removing water.
Hydrolysis
– A chemical reaction that breaks molecules by adding water.
Isomer
Molecules with the same formula but different structures.
Carbohydrates
(Sugars & Starches)
Monosaccharides
Simple sugars (one sugar unit).
Trioses
Tetroses, Pentoses, Hexoses, Heptoses – Different sugar types based on carbon count.
Tetroses
Four carbon atoms
Pentoses
Sugars with 5 carbon atoms (Example: Ribose in RNA and Deoxyribose in DNA).
Hexoses
Sugars with 6 carbon atoms (Example: Glucose, Fructose, and Galactose, which are important for energy).
Glucose
Main energy source for cells.
Galactose
Found in milk.
Fructose
Found in fruits.
Disaccharides
Two sugars linked together.
Sucrose
Table sugar (glucose + fructose).
Maltose
Found in malt (glucose + glucose).
Lactose
Found in milk (glucose + galactose).
Polysaccharides
Long chains of sugars.
Amylose
Plant starch (stores energy).
Glycogen
Animal starch (stores energy in the liver).
Cellulose
Plant fiber (supports plant cell walls).
Chitin
Found in insect shells and fungi.
Lipids
Fats & Oils)
Triglycerides
Main type of fat in food and body.
Fats/ saturated fatty acids
Main type of fat in food and body.
Oils- Unsaturated fatty acids
Liquid at room temp (e.g., olive oil).
Glycerol
Backbone of triglycerides.
HDL vs LDL
HDL = “good” cholesterol; LDL = “bad” cholesterol.
Phospholipids
Make up cell membranes.
Hydrophilic head
Water-loving part.
Hydrophobic tails
Water-fearing part.
Form membranes in bilayers
Phospholipids arrange in two layers to form cell membranes.
Steroids
Lipids that act as hormones.
Vitamin D
Helps the body absorb calcium.
Estrogen
Female sex hormone.
Testosterone
Male sex hormone.
Cholesterol
A type of lipid in cell membranes; too much can clog arteries.
Proteins
Structure & Function
Amino acid
Building blocks of proteins.
Carboxyl group
A COOH group in amino acids.
R group
Varies in different amino acids (makes each amino acid unique).
Essential amnio acid
Amino acids we must eat (body can’t make them).
Peptide bond
Bond that links amino acids together.
Dipeptide
Two amino acids linked together.
Tripeptide
Three amino acids linked together.
Polypeptide
Many amino acids linked together (makes a protein).
Denaturation
When a protein loses its shape (caused by heat or pH changes).
Deamination
Removing nitrogen from amino acids (happens in the liver).
Hemoglobin
– A protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen.
Keratin
A protein that makes up hair, nails, and skin.
Nucleic acids
Genetic Material (DNA & RNA)
DNA
Stores genetic info (instructions for life).
RNA
Helps make proteins from DNA instructions.
Nucleotides
Building blocks of DNA & RNA.
Adenine
A nitrogen base that pairs with Thymine (T) in DNA and Uracil (U) in RNA.
Guanine
A nitrogen base that pairs with Cytosine (C) in both DNA and RNA.
Cytosine
A nitrogen base that pairs with Guanine (G) in both DNA and RNA.
Uracil
A nitrogen base found only in RNA that pairs with Adenine (A) instead of Thymine (T).
Enzymes
Speed Up Chemical Reactions
Catalyst
Speeds up reactions without being used up.
Activation energy
The energy needed to start a reaction.
Lock and key approach
Enzymes fit specific molecules like a key in a lock.
Effectiveness based on temp & pH
Enzymes work best at a specific temp & pH.
Competitive vs non competitive inhibitor
Competitive Inhibitor – Blocks the enzyme’s active site.
Non-Competitive Inhibitor – Changes enzyme shape so it can’t work.
Amino groups
A NH₂ group in amino acids.
Thymine
A nitrogen base found only in DNA that pairs with Adenine (A).
