Chapter 2: Chemistry of life Flashcards
Why is it easy to dissolve things in water?
Water is polar and able to form hydrogen bonds with ions and polar molecules
Hydroxyl group
These participate in chemical reactions in a predictable manner and can cause a drastic change in function
Functional groups
The ability to absorb or release large amounts of heat with only a slight change in temperature. How difficult it is to heat up
Specific heat
What element is in almost all molecules of living organisms (except water)?
Carbon
Compounds with the same molecular formula but a different arrangement of atoms
Isomers
Adhesion
When water clings to the substance of another surface
Why is ice less dense than liquid water?
When the hydrogen bonds become more stable, there is more room for air to come in which leads to lower density
This element has four valence electrons which allows it to make four different bonds
Carbon
How is aquatic life able to survive in the winter?
The top layer freezes to ice and floats because it is less dense, thus creating an insulation layer for the aquatic life
These are critical in the pharmaceutical industry
Enantiomers
Why does water expand when it’s frozen?
The hydrogen bonds become stable and form a lattice-like structure
Cohesion
Water molecules interact with each other due to h-bonding to create things like surface tension and a dome on a penny
These have different biological properties but the same molecular formula
Isomers
Phosphate group
Methyl group
Sulfhydryl group
Amino group
Carboxyl group
Carbonyl group
