Biomolecules & the cell Flashcards
What is the backbone of biological molecules?
Give examples of biological molecules.
Carbon.
Carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids.
H+
Acids.
Substance will act as an acid or a base, & therefore will impact the surrounding pH (acidity).
4 facts about neutrons.
- A neutron is one of three main particles that make up the atom.
- Neutrons are found in the nucleus and are neutral in electric charge; their mass and diameter are about the same as those of a proton.
- Atoms of the same element that differ in their numbers of neutrons are called isotopes.
- Neutrons consist of fundamental particles known as quarks and gluons; gluons carry the strong nuclear force that binds the together the quarks in a neutron.
Water acts as a _____.
Solvent.
What is a solvent? Give an example.
A substance that is able to dissolve a solute. e.g. Water.
Solute
The substance that is being dissolved by the solvent.
Solution.
A solution is a homogenous mixture consisting of a solute dissolved into a solvent.
e.g.
Salt water = solution
Salt = solute
Water = solvent
Water is considered a _____ substance
Polar.
Polar substance
Parts of the compound are weakly positive & parts are weakly negative.
Which end of the water molecule is more positive/negative?
Oxygen - negative end of molecule
Hydrogen - positive end of molecule
What are inorganic ions important for?
Give an example.
Vital cellular activities
e.g. ions i.e. electrolytes - essential for electrical activity needed to support muscle contractions, neuron activation.
Inorganic ions - what element do they not contain?
Identify crucial ions for biological system.
What role does it play in the body? Give examples.
Carbon.
Na+, Ca2+, Cl-, K-
Many essential cellular processes:
- enabling action potentials (neural activity)
- creating electrochemical gradients
- influencing protein structure & function (muscles)
