Chapter 1 and Chapter 2 Flashcards
(U) One of the nitrogen bases in RNA but not in DNA.
uracil (U)
A 3-carbon alcohol, with three OH groups that serve as binding sites
glycerol
A 5-carbon monosaccharide found in RNA
ribose
A 5-carbon sugar that is an important component of DNA
deoxyribose
A 6-carbon sugar such as glucose and fructose
hexose
A bond that joins monosaccharides to form disaccharides and polymers
glycosidic bonds
A chemical bond formed by the sharing of electrons between two atoms
covalent bonds
A chemical bond in which electrons are transferred and not shared between atoms.
ionic bonds
A class of lipids that compose a major structural component of cell membranes
phospholipid
A collection of statements, propositions, or concepts that explain or account for a natural event
theory
A compound containing primarily carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen in a 1:2:1 ratio
carbohydrates
A concocted word to denote “proteinaceous infectious agent”; a cytopathic protein associated with the slow-virus spongiform encephalopathies of humans and animals.
prion
A discovery made through experience, not planned experimentation
empirical
A dissolving medium
solvent
A distinct chemical substance that results from the combination of two or more atoms
molecule
A field involving deliberate alterations (recombinations) of the genomes of microbes, plants, and animals through special technological processes
Genetic engineering
A filamentous network of carbohydrate-rich molecules that coats cells
glycocalyx
A general term for the totality of chemical and physical processes occurring in a cell
metabolism
A glucose polymer stored by cells
glycogen
A group of single-celled, eukaryotic organisms
protozoa
A large protein molecule evoked in response to an antigen that interacts specifically with that antigen
antibody
A link formed between molecules when two or more atoms share, donate, or accept electrons
chemical bond
A living thing ordinarily too small to be seen without magnification; an organism of microscopic size
microorganism
A long, fibrous polymer composed of β-glucose; one of the most common substances on earth
cellulose
A macromolecule made up of a chain of repeating units. Examples: starch, protein, DNA
polymers
A member of the domain Eukarya whose cells have a well-defined nucleus and membrane-bound organelles; includes plants, animals, fungi, protozoa, and algae
eukaryote
A microbe that has no nucleus
akaryote
A mixture of one or more substances (solutes) that cannot be separated by filtration or ordinary settling
solution
A molecular complex of lipid and carbohydrate found in the bacterial cell wall.
lipopolysaccharide
A monosaccharide with five carbon atoms per molecule. Examples: arabinose, ribose, xylose
pentose
A more specific name for a virus when it is outside of its host cells
virus particle
A negatively charged ion
anion
A negatively charged subatomic particle that is distributed around the nucleus in an atom
electron
A network of polysaccharide chains cross-linked by short peptides that forms the rigid part of bacterial cell walls. Gram-negative bacteria have a smaller amount of this rigid structure than do gram-positive bacteria.
Peptidoglycan
A nitrogen base that is an important encoding component of DNA and RNA. The two most common are adenine and guanine
purines
A nucleotide that is the primary source of energy to cells
adenosine triphosphate (ATP)
A polysaccharide composed of glucose monomers
starch
A polysaccharide found in seaweed and commonly used to prepare solid culture media.
agar
A polysaccharide similar to cellulose in chemical structure. This polymer makes up the horny substance of the exoskeletons of arthropods and certain fungi.
chitin
A positively charged ion
cations
A process in which water is used to break bonds in molecules. Usually occurs in conjunction with an enzyme
hydrolysis
A process occurring in plants, algae, and some bacteria that traps the sun’s energy and converts it to ATP in the cell. This energy is used to fix CO2 into organic compounds.
photosynthesis
A protein biocatalyst that facilitates metabolic reactions
enzyme
A relatively large chain of amino acids linked by peptide bonds
polypeptide
A ringed compound of which pyrimidines and purines are types
nitrogen base
A set system for scientifically naming organisms, enzymes, anatomical structures, and so on
Nomenclature
A simple molecule that can be linked by chemical bonds to form larger molecules
monomers
A simple sugar such as glucose that is a basic building block for more complex carbohydrates
monosaccharide
A small component of eukaryotic cells that is bounded by a membrane and specialized in function
organelle
A small component of eukaryotic cells that is bounded by a membrane and specialized in function
organelles
A solution with a pH value above 7 on the pH scale
basic
A solution with a pH value below 7 on the pH scale
acidic
A specialized area of biology that deals with living things ordinarily too small to be seen without magnification, including bacteria, archaea, fungi, protozoa, and viruses.
microbiology
A substance comprising only one kind of atom that cannot be degraded into two or more substances without losing its chemical characteristics
elements
A substance that alters the rate of a reaction without being consumed or permanently changed by it.
catalyst
A substance that is uniformly dispersed in a dissolving medium or solvent
solute
A sugar containing two monosaccharides. Example: sucrose (fructose + glucose)
disaccharide
A sulfide-containing amino acid that usually produces covalent disulfide bonds in an amino acid sequence, contributing to the tertiary structure of the protein
cysteine
A technology, also known as genetic engineering, that deliberately modifies the genetic structure of an organism to create novel products, microbes, animals, plants, and viruses.
recombinant DNA technology
A tentative explanation of what has been observed or measured
hypothesis
A term that designates all parasitic worms
helminth
A term used to describe a variety of substances that are not soluble in polar solvents such as water but will dissolve in nonpolar solvents such as benzene and chloroform. Lipids include triglycerides, phospholipids, steroids, and waxes
lipid
A term used to describe an electrically neutral molecule formed by covalent bonds between atoms that have the same or similar electronegativity
nonpolar
A theory first originating in the 1800s that proposed that microorganisms can be the cause of diseases. The concept is actually so well established in the present time that it is considered a fact.
germ theory of disease
A type of lipid composed of a glycerol molecule bound to three fatty acids
triglycerides
A version of an element that is virtually identical in all chemical properties to another version except that their atoms have slightly different atomic masses
istotope
A weak chemical bond formed by the attraction of forces between molecules or atoms—in this case, hydrogen and either oxygen or nitrogen. In this type of bond, electrons are not shared, lost, or gained.
hydrogen bond
All tangible materials that occupy space and have mass.
matter
An acidic salt containing phosphorus and oxygen that is an essential inorganic component of DNA, RNA, and ATP
phosphate
An electrically neutral particle in the nuclei of all atoms except hydrogen
neutron
An elementary particle that carries a positive charge. It is identical to the nucleus of the hydrogen atom.
protons
An elementary virus particle in its complete morphological and thus infectious form. A virion consists of the nucleic acid core surrounded by a capsid, which can be enclosed in an envelope
virion
An individual membrane-bound living entity; the smallest unit capable of an independent existence
cell
An unattached, charged particle
ion
Any agent (usually a virus, bacterium, fungus, protozoan, or helminth) that causes disease
pathogens
Any compound that ionizes in solution and conducts current in an electrical field
electrolytes
Category of prokaryotes with peptidoglycan in their cell walls and circular chromosome(s). This group of small cells is widely distributed in the earth’s habitats.
bacteria (singular, bacterium)
cholesterol
Best-known member of a group of lipids called steroids. Cholesterol is commonly found in cell membranes and animal hormones
cholesterol
Completely free of all life forms, including spores and viruses.
sterile
Decomposition of harmful chemicals by microbes or consortia of microbes
bioremediation
During the formation of a carbohydrate bond, the step in which one carbon molecule gives up its OH group and the other loses the H from its OH group, thereby producing a water molecule. This process is common to all polymerization reactions
dehydration synthesis
Early belief that living things arose from vital forces present in nonliving, or decomposing, matter.
spontaneous generation
In a chemical reaction, the substance(s) that is(are) left after a reaction is completed
product(s)
In chemistry, a particular molecular combination that reacts in predictable ways and confers particular properties on a compound. Examples: —COOH, —OH, —CHO
functional groups
In the levels of classification, a midlevel division of organisms that groups more closely related organisms than previous levels. An order is divided into families
family
In the levels of classification, the broadest general category to which an organism is assigned. Members share only one or a few general characteristics.
domain
In the levels of classification, the division of organisms that follows phylum
class
In the levels of classification, the division of organisms that follows class. Increasing similarity may be noticed among organisms assigned to the same order
order
In the levels of classification, the most specific level of organization
species
In the levels of classification, the second division from more general to more specific. Each domain is divided into these.
kingdom
In the levels of classification, the second most specific level. A family is divided into several genera
genus
In the levels of classification, the third level of classification from general to more specific. Each kingdom is divided into numerous phyla. Sometimes referred to as a division
phylum
Initial protein organization described by type, number, and order of amino acids in the chain. The primary structure varies extensively from protein to protein.
primary (1°) structure
Invisible to the naked eye
microscopic
Large, molecular compounds assembled from smaller subunits, most notably biochemicals
macromolecules
Macroscopic and microscopic heterotrophic eukaryotic organisms that can be uni- or multicellular
fungi
Methods of handling microbial cultures, patient specimens, and other sources of microbes in a way that prevents infection of the handler and others who may be exposed
aseptic technique
Microscopic, acellular agent composed of nucleic acid surrounded by a protein coat
virus
Molecule composed of short chains of amino acids, such as a dipeptide (two amino acids), a tripeptide (three), and a tetrapeptide (four)
peptide
Molecules entering or starting a chemical reaction
reactants
Molecules that are a combination of two or more different elements
compounds
Molecules that contain the basic framework of the elements carbon and hydrogen
organic chemicals
Molecules that lack the basic framework of the elements of carbon and hydrogen
inorganic chemicals
Most complex protein structure characterized by the formation of large, multiunit proteins by more than one of the polypeptides. This structure is typical of antibodies and some enzymes that act in cell synthesis.
quaternary (4°) structure
Nitrogen bases that help form the genetic code on DNA and RNA. Uracil, thymine, and cytosine are the most important.
pyrimidines
One of the carbohydrates commonly referred to as sugars. Characterized by its 6-carbon structure
glucose
One of the carbohydrates commonly referred to as sugars. Commonly found in milk
lactose
One of the carbohydrates commonly referred to as sugars. Common table or cane sugar
sucrose
One of the carbohydrates commonly referred to as sugars. Fructose is commonly fruit sugars
fructose
One of the carbohydrates referred to as sugars. A fermentable sugar formed from starch
maltose
One of the nitrogen bases found in DNA and RNA in the purine form.
guanine (G)
One of the nitrogen bases found in DNA and RNA, with a purine form
adenine (A)
One of the nitrogen bases found in DNA and RNA, with a pyrimidine form.
cytosine (C)
One of the nitrogen bases found in DNA but not in RNA. Thymine is in a pyrimidine form
thymine (T)
One of the three domains (sometimes called superkingdoms) of living organisms, as proposed by Woese; contains all eukaryotic organisms.
Eukarya
Organism visible to the naked eye
macroorganism
Predominant organic molecule in cells, formed by long chains of amino acids
protein
Present everywhere at the same time
ubiquitous
Principles and procedures for the systematic pursuit of knowledge, involving the recognition and formulation of a problem, the collection of data through observation and experimentation, and the formulation and testing of a hypothesis
scientific method
Prokaryotic single-celled organisms of primitive origin that have unusual anatomy, physiology, and genetics and live in harsh habitats
archaea
Protein structure that occurs when the functional groups on the outer surface of the molecule interact by forming hydrogen bonds. These bonds cause the amino acid chain either to twist, forming a helix, or to pleat into an accordion pattern called a β-pleated sheet
secondary (2°) structure
Protein structure that results from additional bonds forming between functional groups in a secondary structure, creating a three-dimensional mass
tertiary structure
Relating to a compound that has contrasting characteristics, such as hydrophilic-hydrophobic or acid-base
amphipathic
Scientific method of assigning names to organisms that employs two names to identify every organism—genus name plus species name.
binomial system
Scientific principle that states that living things change gradually through hundreds of millions of years, and these changes are expressed in structural and functional adaptations in each organism. Presumes that those traits that favor survival are preserved and passed on to following generations, and those traits that do not favor survival are lost.
evolution
Scientific term for sugar. Refers to a simple carbohydrate with a sweet taste
saccharide
Taxonomic categories.
taxa
Term to describe a molecule with an asymmetrical distribution of charges. Such a molecule has a negative pole and a positive pole
polar
The aqueous dissociation of an electrolyte into ions
ionization
The basic structural unit of DNA and RNA; each nucleotide consists of a phosphate, a sugar (ribose in RNA, deoxyribose in DNA), and a nitrogenous base such as adenine, guanine, cytosine, thymine (DNA only), or uracil (RNA only).
nucleotide
The belief in spontaneous generation as a source of life
abiogenesis
The breakdown of dead matter and wastes into simple compounds that can be directed back into the natural cycle of living things
decomposition
The building blocks of protein. Exist in 20 naturally occurring forms that impart different characteristics to the various proteins they compose
amino acids
The combining power of an atom based upon the number of electrons it can either take on or give up.
valence
The covalent union between two amino acids that forms between the amine group of one and the carboxyl group of the other. The basic bond of proteins
peptide bond
The evidence cited to explain how evolution occurs.
Evolution is the scientific principle that states that living things change gradually through hundreds of millions of years, and these changes are expressed in structural and functional adaptations in each organism. Evolution presumes that those traits that favor survival are preserved and passed on to following generations, and those traits that do not favor survival are lost.
theory of evolution
The expression of the amount of a solute dissolved in a certain amount of solvent. It may be defined by weight, volume, or percentage.
concentration
The formal system for organizing, classifying, and naming living things
taxonomy
The nucleic acid often referred to as the “double helix.” DNA carries the master plan for an organism’s heredity
deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)
The nucleic acid often referred to as the “double helix.” DNA carries the master plan for an organism’s heredity
ribonucleic acid (RNA)
The pathways of electrons as they rotate around the nucleus of an atom
orbital
The process of combining an acid and a base until they reach a balanced proportion, with a pH value close to 7
neutralization
The property of attracting water
hydrophilic
The property of repelling water
hydrophobic
The smallest particle of an element to retain all the properties of that element
atom
The study of organic compounds produced by (or components of) living things. The four main categories of biochemicals are carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.
biochemistry
The symbol for the negative logarithm of the H ion concentration; p (power) or [H+]10. A system for rating acidity and alkalinity
pH
The tendency of an atom to attract a bonding pair of electrons.
electronegativity
Weak attractive interactions between molecules of low polarity
van der Waals forces
When capitalized (Archaea), the term refers to one of the three domains of living organisms as proposed by Woese.
Archaea
When capitalized can refer to one of the three domains of living organisms proposed by Woese, containing all nonarchaea prokaryotes.
Bacteria
