Ch. 3 - The Molecule of Cells

Question 1

all life is based on/key element in life

Answer 1

carbon

Question 2

carbon (5)

Answer 2

• fourth most abundant element in the universe
• has 4 electrons in the outer valence shell and can form 4 covalent bonds
• easily forms and breaks bonds with oxygen and other carbon atoms
• crucial to respiration and photosynthesis
• most resistible building blocks

Question 3

simple organic molecules (2)

Answer 3

• ethane, propane (length)

- butane, 2-methylpropane (branching)

Question 4

slightly more complex (double bonds) (2)

Answer 4

• 1-butene, 2-butene (double bonds)

- cyclohexane, benzene (rings)

Question 5

isomers (3)

Answer 5

• are organic compounds with the same molecular formula but different structure
• structure relates function, isomers, even though the basic chemistry is the same, they differ in chemical properties

Question 6

3 types of isomers

Answer 6

structural, geometric, enantiomers

Question 7

structural isomers (2)

Answer 7

• pentane and 2-methyl butane

- same molecular formulae but the arrangement of atoms is different -> different chemical properties

Question 8

geometric isomers

Answer 8

• cis isomer: two x’s are on the same side
• trans isomer: two x’ are on opposite sides
• something as simple as flipping where functions; groups are located can result in a change in chemical properties

Question 9

monomer

Answer 9

subunit (molecule) that serves as a guiding block for a polymer

Question 10

polymer

Answer 10

large molecule consisting of many identical or similar monomers

Question 11

enantiomers

Answer 11

mirror images of each other

Question 12

dehydration synthesis

Answer 12

formation of larger molecules from smaller reactants accompanied by the loss of water molecule

Question 13

dehydration reaction

Answer 13

synthesis of a polymer

Question 14

catalyst

Answer 14

• increases the rate of a chemical reaction without being permanently changed
• polymerase enzymes catalyze dehydration synthesis reactions

Question 15

hydrolysis

Answer 15

adding water molecule on to separate/break bond

Question 16

other elements in organic molecules (H,O, N, P) (7)

Answer 16

• first 5 groups have polar covalent bonds = hydrophilic and highly soluble in water
• acids = COOH
• amino group = NH2
• link C = carbohydrates
• add amino and acid groups = amino acids -> link amino acids = proteins
• add P = phosphates - ATP
• add CH3, methyl group - important for gene expression and cell membrane formation