Biochemistry Study guide Flashcards
how many electrons for each valence shell
1st: 2
2nd: 8
3rd: 8
4th: 18
5th: 18
6th: 32
7th: 32
what is an isotope and give examples
an element that gained or lost a neutron, carbon 12, carbon 13, carbon 14
unique properties and characteristics of water
- high heat capacity
- high cohesiveness
- high boiling point
- low freezing point
- takes in heat quickly
- releases heat slowly
- hydrogen bonds
- covalently bonded
- liquid water is denser than ice due to ice is less compact then liquid water
- great transportation fluid due to high cohesiveness
- universal solvent
- high polarity
why do h-bonds form between water molecules
because of S- oxygen is attracted to the S+ hydrogen and creates h-bonds
functions of water in our bodies
- body temp regulator
- universal solvent
- lubricant
- transportation fluid
- main component of all cells
- water is needed for hydrolysis
Definition of Acids and examples
acids are components that dissociate in water and release [H+]
Definition of Bases and examples
bases are compounds that dissociate in water and releases [OH-]
why are buffers important and what are they made of
Buffers are chemical or group of chemicals that take up excess [OH-] and [H+], made up of weak bases and acids and their salts
what atoms make up amino acids/proteins
- nitrogen
- oxygen
- hydrogen
- carbon
- sometimes sulfur
what is the backbone of a polypeptide
N-C-C backbone
list the types of bonds responsible for the formation of the three levels of proteins
Linear: peptide bonds
Secondary: H-bonds
Tertiary: Disulfide, ionic, covalent, hydrogen and peptide bonds
list functions of proteins
Keratin: for hair and nail structure
Myosin and actin: for muscle movement
enzymes: speed up chemical reactions by lowering activation energy
Hemoglobin: transport H2O, C6H12O6 and CO2
immunoglobulin: is antibodies (immunity)
what atoms make up carbs
- Carbon
- Hydrogen
- Oxygen
how is maltose formed?
dehydration synthesis to combine two glucose molecules into maltose
list structural differences between starch, glycogen, and cellulose
Cellulose:
- linear
- found in plant cell walls
- 3000 or more glucose units
- beta bonds
- glycosidic bonds
- humans cannot digest
Glycogen:
- many branches
- found in liver
- 16-24 glucose units
- alpha bonds
- glycosidic bonds
- digestible by humans
Starch:
- little amount of branches
- found in plants and plant roots
- 300-1000 glucose units
- alpha bonds
- digestible by humans
functions of carbs
- short term energy
- energy storage
- structural in plant cells
- identification markers
what atoms are found in lipids
- Carbon
- Hydrogen
- Oxygen
what are the 4 common types of lipids
- Fatty acids (saturated and unsaturated)
- phospholipids
- neutral fats
- steroids
differentiate between saturated and unsaturated fatty acids
Saturated: no double bonds, in-room temp solid
Unsaturated: double bonds, in-room temp liquid
how is a neutral fat formed and differences
Monoglyceride: 1 fatty acids with glycerol
Diglyceride: 2 fatty acids with glycerol
Triglyceride; 3 fatty acids with glycerol
All either by hydrolysis or dehydration synthesis
what are the three types of neutral fats and what are their functions
Monoglyceride, Diglyceride, Triglyceride
- long-term energy storage (adipose tissue)
- subcutaneous insulation
- a component in cell membranes
- lipid-based hormones
- protects and cushions organs
what is emulsification and how does an emulsifier work
- the breakdown of fat globules into tiny droplets by surrounding with emulsifiers
- lye + fatty acid = emulsifier
- fatty acids tail are hydrophobic and is not polar, so attaches to lipid
- lye is polar and hydrophilic, therefore is pointed outwards
what are the two types of nucleic acids and what are their functions
RNA: for protein synthesis
DNA: genetic information
what three parts make up a nucleic acid
phosphate group pentose sugar (ribose or deoxyribose) nitrogen base (purine or pyrimidine)
what is the backbone of a strand of DNA/RNA
phosphate sugar backbone
what parts make up a ATP molecule
Pentose sugar (ribose)
Adenine
Triphosphate group
what are the functions of ATP
energy currency for movement, growth and used for a cell to function
