Biochemistry Basics Flashcards
Define: Atom
Atom: the smallest units of elements
Define: Element
Element: pure substances that make up ordinary matter
Define: Molecule
Molecule: formed when two or more atoms bond together
Define: Compound
Compound: molecules that are made up of more than one type of element
Define: Ionic Bond
Ionic Bond: attraction that exists between oppositely charged ions (cations & anions)
-Form when electrons are transferred from one atom to another to make ions
Define: Covalent Bond
Covalent Bond: attraction between atoms that share one or more pairs of electrons
Define: Non-Polar Covalent Bond
Non-Polar Covalent Bond: formed when electrons are equally shared between atoms (no seperation of charges)
Define: Polar Covalent Bond
Polar Covalent Bond: unequal sharing of electrons without undergoing a full transfer of electrons
Define: Bond Polarity
Bond Polarity: the separation of electric charge along a bond, leading to a molecule or its chemical groups having an electric dipole or dipole moment
Define: Molecular Polarity
Molecular Polarity: a separation of electric charge leading to a molecule or its chemical groups having an electric dipole moment, with a negatively charged end and a positively charged end.
Define: Ion
Ion: charged atoms that have an unequal number of protons and neutrons
Define: Isotope
Isotope: elements with the same number of protons but a different number of neutrons
Define: Hydrogen Bonds
Hydrogen Bonds: noncovalent electrostatic attraction between two or more molecules or within a single large molecule
Define: Polar Molecules
Polar Molecules: molecules that tend to interact with water (dissolve in water)
-hydrophilic
Define: Non-Polar Molecules
Non-Polar Molecules: molecules that avoid water (do not dissolve in water)
-hydrophobic
Structure of an Atom:
- the nucleus of an atom contains protons and neutrons
- electrons are found in shells around the nucleus
- first shell can hold 2 electrons, second shell can hold up to 8 electrons, third shell can hold up to 18 electrons
Define: Ph
Ph Scale Diagram
Ph: The balance of H+ and OH- ions is what determines overall acidity or basicity of a solution
4 Major Classes of Macromolecules
- Carbohydrates
- Lipids
- Nucleic Acids
- Proteins
Carbohydrate Structure and Function
Structure: an organic molecule(consists of hydrogen and carbon) consisting of one or more sugar monomers
-considered a polysaccharide (“many sugars”)
Function:
- Energy Sources
- Structural Biomolecules
- Cellular Adhesion
- Communication
- Environmental Sensing
Polymers and Monomers of Carbohydrate
Monomer- Monosaccharide (simple sugars like glucose and fructose)
Polymer- Polysaccharide (complex carbohydrate made of many thousands of monosaccharides)
Structure and Function of Lipids
Structure:
-organic molecules made up of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen
Saturated Fatty Acids: filled with Hydrogen, single bonds
Unsaturated Fatty Acids: at least one double bond (kinky)
Triglycerides: 1 glycerol and 3 fatty acids
Phospholipds: phosphate group and 2 fatty acids
Steroids: 4 fused hydrocarbon ring structure
Functions:
- Energy Sources
- Cell Structure Components
- Mediate Cell Signaling
Polymers and Monomers of Lipids
Polymers- Saturated Fats, Polyunsaturated Fats
Monomers- Fatty Acids
Structure and Function of Nucleic Acid
Structure-
- five carbon sugar
- phosphate group
- nitrogenous base
Function-
DNA: genetic blueprint of all cells (double stranded)
-adenine, guanine, cytosine, thymine
RNA: directs the production of proteins (single stranded)
-adenine, guanine, cytosine, uracil
Polymers and Monomers of Nucleic Acid
Polymers- DNA and RNA
Monomers- nucleotides
