Biochemistry of Molecules Flashcards
Why is chemistry important?
- Involved in every biological process
- structure, function and interaction of bio molecules is dependent on chemistry principles
- supplements/ medicine - impact the reactions
What do atoms consist of?
Protons (+ve), neutrons (neutral) and electrons (-ve)
What determines the element we have?
The number of protons
What is the atomic number?
The number of protons
Why is the atom neutral?
Same number of protons and neutrons
What is the atomic mass?
Protons+ neutrons
What is an isotope?
Same element but has different numbers of neutrons (changing atomic mass but not chemical properties)
What are radioactive isotopes called?
Radioisotopes
3 uses of isotopes
Carbon dating - 14C - age of organic artefacts due to half life
Medicine- Tc attached to a pharmaceutical to deliver it to a target site
Anti doping- measures metabolite
What are the 5 key topics in chemistry?
Polarity
Intermolecular forces
Functional groups
pH
Molarity
What is a functional group?
The functional group is an arrangement of atoms that is responsible for the chemical characteristics of a compound (e.g. how it reacts with other compounds)
What are the 3 main types of functional groups?
Hydroxyl
Amine
Carbonyl
What is a hydroxyl group?
Oxygen bonded to a hydrogen and an organic molecule (carbon)
Polar bond between O and H
What is an amine group?
Contain a nitrogen atom with a lone pair of electrons
What is a carbonyl group?
Carbon atom is double bonded to an oxygen and 2 side chains