Biochemistry Flashcards
Inorganic compounds (5)
- no living origin
- no C
- elements and simple
- don’t burn in O
- eg. water
Monomers
Single molecules
Polymers
Long molecules formed by repeating patterns of monomers
Water (4)
- through photosynthesis, source of O
- solvent, medium, reagent
- habitat
- bone tissue = 20%, brain cells = 85%, body = 70%
Oxygen
Strong, attracts a lot of electrons, negative
Hydrogen
Weaker, positive
Water has
Polar molecules, one side +, one side -
Hydrogen bonds
Form between water molecules
Cohesion
Attraction between like substances
Adhesion
Attraction between different substances
Hydrophilic
Substances that dissolve in water
Hydrophobic
Substances that don’t dissolve in water
Non polar moelecules
No charges, cannot break H bonds, cannot bond with water
Ice floats
At 0 degrees, bonds freeze, rigid, move further away, less dense
Water has a
Very high heat capacity
pH scale
Indicates degree of acidity or alkalinity
pH 0-6
Acid
pH 7
Neutral
pH 7-14
Alkaline
Enzymes prefer
pH 7.2 - 7.4
Blood
- pH 7.4
- too acidic, coma, death
- too basic, nerve problems, convulsions
Buffer
Substance that counteracts pH changes, organisms have natural buffers
Acid + Base
Salt and water
When salts dissolve in water
Ions dissociate to form electrolytes, conduct currents, important role in conducting nerve impulses and muscle functioning
