Chapter 2 Flashcards
A Chemical Reaction is…
making or breaking chemical bonds
A Catalyst is…
a substance that speeds up a chemical reaction
Anabolism is…
A type of chemical reaction
A Synthesis reaction
large molecules are formed by combining smaller molecules, requires energy: A + B -> AB
Catabolism is…
A type of chemical reaction
Decomposition reaction
large molecules are broken down into smaller molecules, usually releases energy:AB -> A + B
Exchange reaction is when…
molecules are broken down then reformed to make a different molecules: AB + CD <-> AD + BC
Oxidation is when…
a molecule loses an electron
Reduction is when…
a molecule gains an electron
What are Inorganic Compounds?
small, ionically bound molecules
lack carbon
vital to body functions
Ex: water, electrolytes, many acids, bases and salts
Water is…
considered to be the universal solvent
a polar molecule; hydrophylic (“water loving”) which allows other polar molecules to be dissolved in it
has a high heat capacity, i.e. a substance that requires a lot of energy to increase its temperature
What is Acid?
A substance that releases hydrogen ions (H+ = a proton)
What is a Base?
A proton acceptor or a substance that releases hydroxide ions (OH-)
The pH scale is a…
measurement of the acidity or alkalinity of a solution
(runs from zero to 14, 7 is neutral)
(below pH 7 is acidic, above 7 is alkaline)
What are Organic Compounds?
contain carbon that is chemically bonded (covalently) to hydrogen
large biologically important molecules
contain the elements C,H,O,N,P,S
A Carbohydrates Primary Function is?
energy source
Carbohydrates are?
Sugars, starches, glycogen
A Monosaccharide is a..
simple sugar, a monomer (individual subunit that is used to make more complex molecules)
A type of carbohydrate
A Disaccharide is..
two monosaccharides that are chemically bonded together
ex. Sucrose = Glucose + Fructose
a type of carbohydrate
A Polysaccharide is..
many monosaccharides chemically bonded together
ex. Glycogen
a type of carbohydrate
A Lipid is…
essential to the structure and funtion of cell membranes; energy storage
non-polar (a substance that doesn’t dissolve in water)
What is a Triglyceride?
a glycerol molecule bonded to three fatty acids
a simple lipid
A Phospholipid is…
a triglyceride where one of the fatty acids has been removed then replaced with a molecule that contains a phosphate group
Phospholipids are amphipathic, i.e. have both polar and nonpolar regions
a type of complex lipid
A Steroid is made from?
Cholesterol
What are Steroids used for?
hormones and cell membranes
What are the Fat Soluble Vitamins?
A, D, E, K
Proteins are used for?
Structure and function
What is an Amino Acid?
the building block (and monomer) for protein
An Amino Acid contains which 2 groups?
amino and carboxyl group
What is Dehydration Synthesis?
removing a molecule of H2O (from between two smaller molecules) to form a chemical (covalent bond)
What is a Polypeptide?
long chains of amino acids bonded together
What is DNA?
Deoxyribonucleic Acid
What is DNA used for?
used to carry hereditary information, i.e. makes up genes/chromosomes
What is RNA?
Ribonucleic Acid
What is RNA used for?
for protein synthesis
Where is RNA Made then Transported?
made in the nucleus then transported to the cytoplasm
What is ATP?
Adenosine Triphoshate
the primary energy storage molecule in cells
Proteins are approximately how much of a Cells Dry Weight?
1/2
What is a Co-enzyme?
non-protein portion that activates the enzyme
What is a Cofactor?
an organic coenzyme
What do Enzymes end in?
enzymes usually end in “-ase”
Enzymes are named after the?
Substrate they act on
Almost all reactions in the body require?
Enzymes
What are enzymes?
Biological catalysts
Enzymes usually contain Protein Portions named?
Apoenzyme
What is a Polypeptide?
long chains of amino acids bonded together
What is the Primary Structure?
the specific order that the amino acids are arranged
this is determined by genes
What is the Secondary Structure?
chains of amino acids are connected they either coil (“alpha helix”) or form a zig-zag pattern (“Pleated Sheet”)
What is the Tertiary Structure?
the 3-dimensional shape that the finished polypeptide takes
What is the Quaternary Structure?
when two or more polypeptides drawn together to form the finished protein
What is Denaturation?
any alteration in the Secondary, Tertiary or Quaternary structures
