Chapter 1: Biological molecules Flashcards
What is Molecular Biology?
The study of particular groups of biological molecules found in living organisms.
What is Covalent Bonding?
A bond between atoms share a pair of electrons in their outer shells. Forms a more stable molecule.
What is Ionic Bonding?
A bond formed between ions of opposite charge attracting one another. They are weaker than covalent bonds. (eg. Na+ and Cl- making sodium Chloride)
What is Hydrogen Bonding?
The attraction of the negative charges region of a polarised molecule to the positively charged region of another, forming a weak electrostatic bond. (Individually Weak, Collectively Strong)
Whats is a polar molecule?
A molecule with unevenly distributed charge of electrons, this causes separate positively/negatively charged regions. These molecules are said to be Polarised
What are Polymers?
Long chains of monomer sub-units
What is formed each time a monomer is added to a polymer chain?
a molecule of water/H2O
What is the formation of polymers called?
Polymerisation
What are reactions that produce water
called?
Condensation reactions
How are polymer chains broken down?
through the addition of water
What type of reaction involves the breaking down of polymers through the addition of water?
Hydrolysis
What do Polynucleotides (nucleic acids) hydrolyse to make?
Mononucleotides
What do Nucleotides make after condensation?
Polynucleotides (nucleic acids)
What do Polysaccharides (carbohydrates) hydrolyse to make?
Monosaccharides
What do Monosaccharides make after condensation?
Polysaccharides (carbohydrates)
What do fatty acids or glycerol hydrolyse to make?
Lipids
What do Lipids make after condensation?
Either fatty acids or glycerol
What do Polypeptides hydrolyse to make?
Amino acids
What do Amino acids make after condensation?
Polypeptides
What is the metabolism?
All the chemical processes in the body
What is a mole?
The SI unit for measuring the amount of a substance (abbreviated to mol)
How many particles are in one mole?
6.022x10^23
What is this number ,6.022x10^23, called?
Avagadros constant
What is a molar solution?
A solution with one mole of solute per litre of solution