BIOCHEMISTRY Flashcards
define an atom
smallest unit of an element
what does an atom contain
nucleus (protons & neutrons)
electrons
what is within a nucleus
protons
neutrons
what charge are protons
positive
what charge are neutrons
neutral
what charge are electrons
negative
what is the atomic number
number of protons
what is atomic mass measured in
Daltons (Da)
what is atomic mass
gives us the mass of one of the elements atoms
how many elements known to make up living organisms
26
what is covalent bonding
the bond formed when atoms share electrons
when is a single bond formed
when each atom contributes one electron
when is a double bond formed
when each atom contributes 2 electrons
what do organic molecules contain
carbon
what do inorganic molecules contain
NO CARBON (eg water)
what is a molecule
atoms joined via covalent bonds
what is molecular formula
symbols
eg H20
what is structural formula
drawn out with C and H and lines
do molecules have a charge
no they are neutral
do ions have charge
yes
what is an anion
some atoms are more stable with more electrons than protons
therefore ion carries a negative charge
what is a cation
some atoms carry less electrons than protons
therefore ion carries a positive charge
what is a radical
when a molecule has an unpaired electron
what pH is acidic
1-7
what pH is neutral
7
What pH is alkaline
7-14
what are the 4 biomolecules
proteins
nucleic acids
carbohydrates
lipids
what are inorganic substances
water
Ions (sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium, magnesium, bicarbonate, hydrogen phosphate)
what does a lysosome do
breakdown of proteins and other molecules
what does the nucleus do
contains DNA
what does RNA do
transcription & translation of proteins
What do ribosomes do
proteins production
what does the endoplasmic reticulum do
synthesis and storage
what does Golgi apparatus do
secretion of proteins
what does mitochondria do
site of metabolic processes
define metabolism
the sum of the chemical reactions occurring in a living organism/ part of it
what is the symbol for entropy
S
what does an increase in order do to entropy
decrease in entropy
what does a decrease in order do to entropy
increase in entropy
What is delta G
Free energy
What is the free energy equation
deltaG = DeltaH - TdeltaS
what is delta H
enthalpy (bond energy)
What is T delta S
Temp x entropy
what effects deltaG
Temperature
Pressure
Conc of reactants & products
pH
What are standard conditions for free energy change reaction
25 degrees
1atm pressure
pH 7
what is exergonic
free energy of products is lower than the reactants
therefore favoured
what is endergonic
free energy of products is higher than reactants
therefore unfavoured
What is equilibrium
dynamic state whereby energy of products and reactants is equal
When a compound accepts oxygen what happens
it is oxidised
When a compound loses oxygen what happens
it is reduced
When a compound loses hydrogen what happens
it is oxidised
catabolism
When a compound accepts hydrogen what happens
it is reduced
anabolism
how many hydroxyl groups do carbohydrates contain
at least 2 hydroxyl groups
what are monosaccharides
simplest carbohydrates
Function of carbs??
offer cells external protection (cellulose)
assist cells in recognising molecules when attached to proteins and lipids
what are ogliosaccharides
when 2-10 monosaccharides link covalently
linkages are glycosidic bonds
what is sucrose made from
glucose and fructose
what is lactose made from
galactose and glucose
what is maltose made from
2x alpha glucose
what are polysaccharides
formed from 10+ monosaccharides
give 2 examples of polysaccharides
cellulose
starch
what do lipids exist as
exist as large tissue (adipose)
what is a common feature of lipids
low solubility in water
what is a saturated fat
single bonds only (palimate)
what is an unsaturated fat
single and double bonds
what are fatty acids linked by
ester bonds
role of vitamin B1
thiamine
found in active site of pyruvate dehydrogenase
role of vitamin B6
coenzymes for aminotransferases and neurotransmitters
role of vitamin B12
serves as an enzyme in fatty acid processing
role of vitamin A
contained within the retinas of the eye
role of vitamin B2
riboflavin
precursor of coenzymes for redox reactions
role of vitamin D
involved in calcium absorption - bone health
role of sodium
Main cation in extracellular fluids
Essential for electrical transmission in nerves and muscle
Maintains water content in various compartments of the body
role of calcium
critical component of bones and blood clotting
role of potassium
interacts with Na+ to maintain fluid balance and electrical impulses
role of magnesium
cofactor for hundreds of enzymes
role of iron
embedded in proteins handling oxygen and the electron transport chain
role of copper
is a cofactor for cytochrome, a key component in the electron transport chain