Biochemistry Flashcards
Biochemistry
Chemical reactions of living things
Element
Substances that cannot be broken down into simpler substances
Atoms
Protons, neutrons and electrons
(*elements are unique by their atoms)
Compounds
2 or more elements that combine chemically
Ex: H2O (1 oxygen + 2 hydrogen)
Ionic bonds
Loss or gain of electrons a charge is formed
Covalent bonds
Sharing of electrons
Inorganic compounds
Do not contain both carbon and hydrogen
Organic compounds
Contains both carbon and hydrogen
Carbohydrates
Sugars and starches, contains carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen
Hydrogen to oxygen ratio: 2:1
Carbohydrate example 1
Glucose, galactose, and fructose
*monosaccharides = simplest sugars
Carbohydrate example 2
Maltose and sucrose
*disaccharides = 2 monosaccharides bond together
Maltose = 2 glucose sugars
Carbohydrate example 3
Starch, cellulose, and glycogen
*polysaccharides = chains of monosaccharides
Starch = food storage compound (plants)
Cellulose = makes up cell wall
Glycogen = food storage compound (animals)
Proteins
Made of amino acid subunits
(Ex: enzymes, hormones)
Structure of amino acid
Amino group, carboxyl/acid group, R group
Amino group
NH2
Carboxyl/acid group
COOH
R group
variable group of an amino acid
Peptide bond
Bond between amino acids
Lipids
Source of energy and components of cell membranes
Lipid examples
Fats, oils, and waxes
*hydrogen to oxygen ratio greater than 2:1
Fats
Solid at room temperature
Oils
Liquid at room temperature
Nucleic acids
Are involved in the passing on of genetic information from one generation to the next
Ex: DNA and RNA
DNA
Found in the nucleus, mitochondria, and chloroplast
- replicate on their own
- carry out genetic traits
- responsible for synthesis of proteins essential to a cell’s life
RNA
Assists in carrying out the vital information stored in DNA molecules
Differences between DNA and RNA
T is replaced by U in RNA
Enzymes (functional proteins)
Biological catalysts “speed up the rate” of chemical reactions “regulators”
Coenzyme
Non protein component of some enzymes
Ex: vitamins
Ribozyme
Enzyme made out of RNA
Active site
Pocket where a substrate fits in a enzyme
Lock and Key Model
Induced fit
Enzyme bends tightly to substrate that binds to its active site “tighter fit”
Enzyme + substrate
Form a complex
Higher temperature
Higher rate of enzyme activity above
If it goes above the optimum temperature, enzyme denatures causing the “active site” to be altered
PH
Above 7 are basic enzymes
Below 7 are acidic enzymes
Ex:
pepsin = PH of 2 (stomach)
Trypsin = PH of 8 (intestine)
