Chemistry Of Life Flashcards
compound that releases hydrogen ions (H+) in solution
Acid
amount of energy greater than the energy contained in the reactants, which must be overcome for a reaction to proceed
Activation energy
Nucleotide containing ribose and an adenine base that is essential in energy transfer
Adenosine triphosphate (ATP)
building block of proteins; characterized by an amino and carboxyl functional groups and a variable side-chain
Amino acid
smallest unit of an element that retains the unique properties of that element
Atom
compound that accepts hydrogen ions (H+) in solution
Base
solution containing a weak acid or a weak base that opposes wide fluctuations in the pH of body fluids
Buffer
class of organic compounds built from sugars, molecules containing carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen in a 1-2-1 ratio
Carbohydrate
substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without itself being changed in the process
Catalyst
form of energy that is absorbed as chemical bonds form, stored as they are maintained, and released as they are broken
Chemical energy
liquid mixture in which the solute particles consist of clumps of molecules large enough to scatter light
Colloid
substance composed of two or more different elements joined by chemical bonds
Compound
number of particles within a given space
Concentration
type of catabolic reaction in which one or more bonds within a larger molecule are broken, resulting in the release of smaller molecules or atoms
Decomposition reaction
change in the structure of a molecule through physical or chemical means
Denaturation
deoxyribose-containing nucleotide that stores genetic information
Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)
pair of carbohydrate monomers bonded by dehydration synthesis via a glycosidic bond
Disaccharide
covalent bond formed within a polypeptide between sulfide groups of sulfur-containing amino acids, for example, cysteine
Disulfide bond
subatomic particle having a negative charge and nearly no mass; found orbiting the atom’s nucleus
Electron
area of space a given distance from an atom’s nucleus in which electrons are grouped
Electron shell
substance that cannot be created or broken down by ordinary chemical means
Element
protein or RNA that catalyzes chemical reactions
Enzyme
type of chemical reaction in which bonds are both formed and broken, resulting in the transfer of components
Exchange reaction
group of atoms linked by strong covalent bonds that tends to behave as a distinct unit in chemical reactions with other atoms
Functional group
Lipid compound composed of a glycerol molecule bonded with three fatty acid chains
Triglyceride
type of anabolic reaction in which two or more atoms or molecules bond, resulting in the formation of a larger molecule
Synthesis reaction
