Chapter 2 Flashcards
(24 cards)
Why is chemistry important in biology?
all matter is made up of atoms/ chemical processes and reactions underlie all biological relationshps
why is carbon important?
important for biological processes
- can form many different bonds
- all known life is carbon based
what are hydrogen bonds?
formed between an atom in one molecule and another atom in another molecule
why is water special?
- cohesion
- high heat capacity
- low density as a solid- lattice structure
- good solvent
cohesion
molecules hold together, surface tension
acids
pH below 7, more H+ ions
bases
pH above 7, more OH- ions
isotopes
elements with the same number of protons but different number of neutrons
radioactive
break down spontaneously
molecules
groups of atoms held together by bonds
macromolecule
large molecule made up from smaller building blocks or subunits
- carbohydrates
- lipids
- proteins
- nucleic acids
carbohydrates
molecules that contain carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen: primary fuel for running all cellular machinery and for structure of cells
monosaccharides
simple sugars
- glucose is important - fuel, converted to fat
disaccharides
two simple sugars bonded together
polysaccharides
complex carbohydrates
-starch
lipids
made primarily from atoms of carbon hydrogen and oxygen
- more stored energy
- dont dissolve in water
hydrophilic
water loving, attracts water
hydrophobic
repels water
types of lipids
fats
sterol - growth and development
cholesterol - cell membranes
phospholipids - major component of membrane
saturated fat
max number of hydrogen atoms in hydrocarbon chain
unsaturated fat
some carbon atoms are bound to a single hydrogen
protein
building blocks of life
- builders
enzymes
molecules that help initiate and accelerate chemical reactions in bodies
- type of protein
nucleic acid
macromolecules that store information
RNA, DNA
