Biological Molecules Flashcards
Atomic number
Number of protons
Mass number
Number of protons and neutrons
Molecule
Two or more atoms chemically joined together
Compound
Two or more atoms of different elements chemically joined together
Ion
A charged particle
Isotope
Atoms of the same element with different mass numbers
pH
The measure of the concentration of Hydrogen Ions present
An acid
A substance that dissociates into ions when in a solution, releasing H+.
A buffer
Chemicals that act as bases or acids to maintain a stable pH, e.g. plasma proteins
Ionic bond
An electrostatic attraction between inorganic compounds, e.g. NaCl
Covalent bond
Two hydrogen atoms sharing electrons
Specific heat capacity
The amount of energy needed to raise the temperature of a substance, e.g. water
Structural Isomers
Two molecules that have the same chemical formula but different structural formulas
Condensation reaction
A chemical reaction between two compounds where one of the products is water
Hydrolysis reaction
The reaction of water with another (chemical) compound to form two or more products
Oxidation reaction
The reaction of oxygen with another (chemical) compound
Mucopolysaccharide
Polysaccharides combined with amino acids e.g. chitin
Saturated fatty acid
Only contains [C-C] single bonds
(Poly)unsaturated fatty acid
Contains one or more [C=C] double bonds
Amino acid
An organic compound composed of amine and carboxyl functional groups
Amphoteric
Molecules, such as amino acids, which can acts as bases and acids
Peptide bond
The chemical bond formed in a condensation reaction between the amine group of one amino acid and the carboxyl group of another.
Primary structure
The sequence of amino acids in the chain
Secondary structure
The three-dimensional chains of amino acids which form alpha-helixes and beta-sheets, held together by Hydrogen bonds
Tertiary structure
The three-dimensional shape that the molecule forms when the polypeptide helix twists and folds around itself
Quaternary structure
The linking of a number of polypeptide chains
Denaturation
The permanent change of a proteins tertiary and quaternary structure
Globular proteins
Compact, highly twisted polypeptide chains rolled up into a ball. Water-soluble, less stable, all enzymes are globular.
Prosthetic group
A tightly bound, specific non-polypeptide unit required for the biological function of some proteins
Conjugated protein
Combination of a protein with a prosthetic group
Fibrous proteins
Polypeptide chains laid down in parallel chains and linked together to form long sheets.
Macronutrients
Needed in small amounts in living organisms: the essential elements consumed in the largest quantities e.g. carbon and hydrogen
Micronutrients
Needed in minute quantities: trace elements such as salts, ions or elements that support the metabolism e.g. copper
