Chemistry of Life Flashcards
bonding, functional groups, etc.
What is electronegativity? How can you tell the type of bond from it?
electronegativity is a measure of the strength with which an atom can attract electrons
how to tell the bond:
under 0.5 = covalent
between 0.5- 1.6 = polar covalent
above 1.6 = ionic
What are ionic bonds
bonds formed by the transfer of an electron from atom to atom
What are the two types of fatty acid molecules?
saturated fatty acid
unsaturated fatty acid
Whats a hydrolysis reaction?
a reaction to break apart the disaccharide with the addition of a single water molecule
simply: hydrolysis needs water to break apart the disaccharide
How to differentiate between alpha and beta glucose?
the 1st hydroxyl (OH) is at the bottom in alpha
the 1st hydroxyl is at the top in beta
What makes up a saturated fatty acid?
- single bonded chain (carbon)
- has max # of hydrogens
- saturated with H’s
- stable & doesn’t break easily
- SOLID @ ROOM TEMP
- the longer the chain, the less soluble it is
What are the properties of each functional group?
Hydroxyl
~ cmpds = alcohols
~ polar (electronegative oxygen atom draws electrons towards itself)
~ attracts water molecules & dissolves organic chemicals like sugar (hydrophilic)
~ molecules that contain this are soluble in water
Carbonyl
~ two types: ketones & aldehydes
~ polar as oxygen has a partially negative charge and carbon has a partially positive charge
~ hydrophilic
Carboxyl
~ cmpd = carboxylic acids
~ has acidic properties because of hydroxide ions
~ as the covalent bond between oxygen and hydrogen is so polar, hydrogen ions tend to disassociate
~ ionic form (cells) = carboxylate group
Amino
~ cmpd = Amine
~ acts as a base; picks up a proton from the surrounding solution
~ ionized with a charge of 1+ under cellular conditions
~ ex. as glycine has both an amine group and a carboxyl group, it is called an amino acid
Sulfhydryl
~ cmpd = thiols
~ two sulfhydryl groups can interact to help stabilize protein structure
Phosphate
~ cmpd = organic phosphates
~ makes the molecule its a part of an anion
~ can transfer energy between organic molecules
~ non polar & negatively charged
What are intramolecular bonds? What are the three types?
the bonds between atoms of the same molecule
three types:
~ pure covalent bonds
~ ionic bonds
~ polar covalent bonds
What is the acronym to draw beta glucose? how do you draw it?
B UDUD
(start from c1 to c4)
Whats a condensation/dehydration synthesis reaction?
a reaction where two monosaccharides join to form a disaccharide and a single water molecule is produced
simply: condensation produces water
Are lipids polar or non-polar? Why?
they are less polar as they have fewer hydroxyl and carboxyl groups making them hydrophobic (water-fearing)
What are the different polysaccharides (complex carbohydrates) and what are their functions?
- cellulose: plant structural support, fiber carbohydrate (cannot digest)
~ long straight chain
~ from beta glucose - starch: short-term plant energy storage
~ fewer branches; slower to break down
~ from alpha glucose - glycogen: short-term animal energy storage
~ many branches; fast to break down
~ branch point is alpha 1,6 - chitin: used by insects and crustaceans to form exoskeleton
~ has a nitrogen-containing functional group
what are polar covalent bonds
bonds formed when a pair of valence electrons is unequally between two atoms
What are the two types of unsaturated fatty acids? Describe each.
Cis:
- very bulky
- LIQUID AT ROOM TEMP
Trans:
- packed together well
- can be solid
- is unhealthy
What makes up an unsaturated fatty acid?
- one or more double bonds
- not saturated with H’s
- LIQUID @ ROOM TEMP
- 2 types: cis and trans
