Biochemistry intro 1 - atoms, biomolecules and reactions

Question 1

Describe the basic structure of an atom

Answer 1

An atom has protons and neutrons in the nucleus and electrons orbiting around the nucleus in electron shells. A proton has a mass of 1 and a charge of +1, a neutron has a mass of 1 and no charge and an electron has a negligible mass and a charge of -1

Question 2

What is ionisation energy?

Answer 2

The energy input needed to discharge an electron

Question 3

What is a covalent bond and an ionic bond?

Answer 3

Covalent bond is shared pair of electrons whereas an ionic bond is the attraction of opposite charges

Question 4

Does ionic radius increase or decrease as you move down a group?

Answer 4

As you move down a group, ionic radius increases due to more electron shells

Question 5

What is bond energy?

Answer 5

The amount of energy required to break a bond (measured in kcal/mol)

Question 6

What is van der waals interactions?

Answer 6

Interaction of electrons of non-polar substances

Question 7

What is meant by electronegativity?

Answer 7

Electronegativity is the force than an atomic nucleus exerts on an electron (so how much they want an electron)

Question 8

What is phosphorylation and de-phosphorylation?

Answer 8

Phosphorylation is the addition of a phosphate whereas de-phosphorylation is the removal of a phosphate

Question 9

What is acylation and carboxylation?

Answer 9

Acylation is the addition of an acyl group (R-C=O) and carboxylation is the addition of a carboxyl group (COOH)

Question 10

What is esterification?

Answer 10

When alcohol and acid react to form an ester

Question 11

What is condensation and hydrolysis?

Answer 11

Condensation is the removal of water and hydrolysis is the addition of water

Question 12

What is oxidation, reduction and a redox reaction?

Answer 12

Oxidation is the loss of electrons, reduction is the gain of electrons and a redox reaction is when one thing is being oxidised and the other thing is being reduced

Question 13

What is meant by the terms reducing agent and oxidising agent?

Answer 13

A reducing agent is being oxidised so is an electron donor and an oxidising agent is being reduced so is an electron acceptor

Question 14

Starting at an alkane, keep oxidising and name what you get until you reach carbon dioxide

Answer 14

Alkane → Alcohol → Aldehyde → Carboxylic acid → Carbon dioxide