Biochemistry: Organic Compounds Flashcards
Molecular Organization
Atom –> Element –> Molecule –> Compound
–> Cell
What is a chemical bond?
attraction that holds atoms together, resulting in different forms of matter.
Example: NaCl - bonded together to create table salt
What is a covalent bond?
the sharing of electrons
What is an ionic bond?
the gaining or losing of electrons
What is a hydrogen bond?
how polar molecules “stick” together. (not a chemical bond) strong intermolecular forces created when a hydrogen atom bonded to an electronegative atom approaches a nearby electronegative atom
What are characteristics of covalent bonds?
- Carbon likes to form covalent bonds
- Covalent bonding is found in organic compounds
- Covalent bonds are very strong
What are characteristics of Ionic bonds?
- Ionic bonds are not typically found in organic compounds
- Ionic compounds are soluble in water (they disassociate in water/dissolve)
- Ionic compounds conduct electricity when they disassociate
- Ionic bonds are not as strong as covalent
*NOT IN STUDY GUIDE
What is an example of hydrogen bonding?
Oxygen has 8 protons in its nucleus, where hydrogen has only 1. Because of the uneven distribution of charges, water is called a polar molecule.
What are organic compounds?
molecules that always have carbon-hydrogen bonds
What are inorganic molecules?
molecules that do not contain carbon-hydrogen bonds.
What are the four categories of organic molecules?
lipids, proteins, carbohydrates, and nucleic acids
What are monomers?
smaller molecules from which polymers can be created
What are polymers?
created from the formation of monomers
What are carbohydrates?
- are organic compounds containing carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen in the ratio 1:2:1 (carbon:hydrogen:oxygen)
- are made by plants
- are the body’s primary source of energy
What is the monomer and polymer for carbohydrates?
monomer - monosaccharide
polymers - disaccharide, polysaccharide
What are some examples of monosacchrides?
- Glucose
- Fructose
- Galactose
“ose” indicates sugar
What is dehydration synthesis?
the creation of larger molecules from smaller monomers where a water molecule is released
What are polysaccharides are also known as?
starches
What is hydrolysis?
the reverse of dehydration synthesis; when any chemical reaction in which a molecule of water breaks one or more chemical bonds
How are carbs stored?
–> Animals store excess
sugars as the starch glycogen.
–> Plants store excess
sugars as the starch cellulose.
How do you test for carbohydrates?
Benedict and Iodine
What are some examples of lipids?
triglycerides, phospholipids, steroids, waxes, fats, oils,
What do lipids do?
- long term energy storage
- Hormones and steroids
(chemical messengers) - cell membrane component
- water insoluble
- classified as saturated or unsaturated
What are saturated fatty acids?
fatty acids with maximum number of C-H bonds
What are unsaturated fatty acids?
fatty acids with one double C-C bond
What are
poly-unsaturated fatty acids?
fatty acids with many double C-C bonds
How do you make a lipid?
glycerol and fatty acids must be joined through dehydration synthesis.
How do you test for lipids?
translucent spot on brown paper bag
What are proteins?
- Major structural component (skin, bone, hair, etc.)
- Enzymes: control chemical reactions
What are the functions of protein?
- Some hormones are protein (peptide hormones).
- Proteins transport or carry substances in and out of cells.
What is the monomer and polymer of protein?
monomer - amino acids
polymer - polypeptide
What does the R group do?
It makes the amino acids different from each other and changes their function.
How to tell proteins apart from other organic molecules?
has the R group
How to test for proteins?
with biuret
What are nucleic acids?
- Store genetic information
- Help to make proteins
- very large linear molecules
- made up of nucleotides containing C, H, N, O, P
What is the monomer and polymer for nucleic acids?
monomer - nucleotide
polymer - DNA and RNA
What is the make up of nucleic acids?
- Phosphate Group
- 5-Carbon Sugar (Dexoyribose or Ribose)
- Nitrogen Base
