Cgemical Basis Of Life Flashcards
In biology matter is…
Chemicals
What occurs in living things chemicals ?
Formation of structural components and the production of chemical reactions
What are the 5 properties of water important to life
Water cohesive behaviour
High specific heat
High heat of evaporation
Lower density of ice
Solubility
What is cohesion behaviour and why is it important to life
Is the tendency of water molecule to stick to each other due to hydrogen bonding.
It allows water to move through narrow spaces in plants for example. ( water transport in plants)
Inside cells, water cohesion properties aid in maintaining cell structure and creating a stable environment for chemical reactions.
What is surface tension
Cohesion of water molecules at its surface. Allows small insects to walk on the surface of water.
What is specific heat
Heat (amount of energy) needed to raise the temperature of water for 1 degree
What is the heat of evaporation
Amount of energy required to change 1 gram of substance from liquid to gas.
What is the meaning of hydrophilic and hydrophobic
Hydrophilic: any substance that has affinity for water
Hydrophobic: any substance that repel water
What are organic compounds
Special class of chemicals produced by and derived from living things
What element is always present in all organic compounds
Carbon
Properties of organic molecules
Depend on:
The length of the carbon skeleton
Types of molecular components attached to the skeleton called fictional groups
What are functional groups
Group of atoms with definite chemical properties attached to the carbon of organic molecules (reactive part of the hydrocarbon chain )
What are carbonyl and hydroxy groups
Hydroxy: one hydrogen paired with one oxygen atom
Carbonyl: one oxygen atom double bounded to a carbon atom
