Ch.3 Concepts & Connections Flashcards
describe the importance of carbon to life’s molecular diversity.
carbon is the backbone that has the ability to manufacture many different and complex molecules. carbon has 4 electrons in its valence shell making it easy to share with other atoms with 4 covalent bonds. carbon compound make up fuels (hydrocarbons) and fuels the body
describe the chemical groups that are important to life: 2 main groups, 6 sub-groups; hydroxyl, carbonyl, carboxyl, amino, phosphate and methyl.
functional groups and methyl group. functional groups affect a molecule’s function by participating in chemical reactants, these groups are polar; oxygen or nitrogen exert a strong pull. also hydrophilic (water-loving). methyl groups; a non-polar, non-reactive but affects molecular shape and thus function.
explain how a cell can make a variety of large molecules from a small set of molecules.
cells make up most of their macromolecules by joining smaller molecules into chains called polymers. the building blocks of polymers are monomers
define monosaccharides, disaccharides, and polysaccharides and explain their functions.
monosaccharides:single unit sugar carbohydrate-glucose, fructose in honey can be used to form more complex sugars and polysaccharides. disaccharides:constructed from 2 monos. by a dehydration reaction sucrose+fructose (HFCS). polysaccharides long chains of sugar units. macromolecules 1000’s of monos. linked by dehydration reactions; starch, glycogen, cellulose
define lipids, phospholipids, and steroids and explain their functions.
lipids:diverse compounds that are grouped together because the share 1 trait:they do NOT mix well w/water=hydrophobic ie:fats, unsaturated, salt, trans fats. phospholipids:major component in cell membranes. contain only 2 fatty acids attached to glycerol. steroids:lipids which contain 4 fused rings
describe the chemical structure of proteins and their importance to cells.
proteins most important role is as enzymes, the chemical catalysts that speed and regulate virtually all chemical reactions in cells. there are structural proteins found in hair and fibres that make up tissues (ligaments and tendons), contractile proteins found in muscles. defensive proteins such as antibodies in the immune system. signal proteins in hormones ad messaging. receptor proteins built into cell membranes and transfers signals into cells. transport proteins in redblood cells (hemoglobin) delivers O2. storage proteins (ovalbumin) egg white protein for amino acids.
describe the chemical structure of nucleic acids and how they relate to inheritance (2 types of nucleic acids)
genes consist of deoxiyribonucleic acid (DNA) which comes from the nuclei of a eukaryotic cells, organisms inherit genetic material from their parents consists of DNA. ribonucleic acid (RNA) in the nucleus of a eukaryotic cell a genedirects synthesis of an RNA molecule. DNA is transcribed into RNA, the RNA moves out of the nucleus and interacts with the protein-building machinery of the cell. therefore the genes instructions written in”nucleic acid language” is translated into “protein language”, the amino acid sequence of a polypeptide. both DNA and RNA are related to inheritance because the hereditary material of DNA contains the instructions for the primary structure of the polypeptide. RNA is the intermediary that conveys those instructions (as stated above).
explain how lactose tolerance has evolved in humans.
the majority of people stop producing the enzyme lactase in early childhood. lactose intolerance is actually a norm it is lactose tolerance that represents a recent mutation in the human gene.
