Foundations in Biology Module 3.1 Biological molecules Flashcards
What are all living things primarily made up of
Carbon
Oxygen
Hydrogen
Sulfur
Phosphorus
Covalent bonding
sharing of electrons
How many bonds can carbon form
4
How many bonds can nitrogen form
3
How many bonds can oxygen form
2
How many bonds can hydrogen form
1
Why is life on earth referred as “carbon-based”
Carbon is the backbone of most biological molecules
What is a positive ion
cation
What is a negative ion
anion
Define electrolytes
Ions in solution
What is the role of calcium (Ca2+) ions
- nerve impulse transmission
- muscle contraction
What is the role of sodium (Na+) ions
- nerve impulse transmission
- kidney function
What is the role of potassium (K+) ions
- nerve impulse transmission
- stomatal opening
What is the role hydrogen (H+) ions
- catalysis of reactions
- pH determination
What is the role of ammonium ions (NH4+) ions
production of nitrate ions by bacteria
What is the role of nitrate (NO3-) ions
nitrogen supply to plants for amino acid and protein formation
What is the role of hydrogen carbonate (HCO3-) ions
maintenance of blood pH
What is the role of chloride (Cl-) ions
balance positive charge of sodium and potassium ions in cells
What is the role of phosphate ions (PO4 ^3-) ions
- cell membrane formation
- nucleic acid and ATP formation
- bone formation
What is the role of hydroxide ions
- catalysis of reactions
-pH determination
What elements do carbohydrates consist of
C,H,O
What elements do lipids consist of
C,H,O
What elements do proteins consist of
C,H,O,N,S
What elements do nucleic acids consist of
C,H,O,N,P
What is the general formula of carbohydrates
Cx(H2O)x
Define polymer
Long chain molecules made about of monomers in a repeating pattern
What is the monomer of carbohydrates
saccharides/sugars
What is the monomer of proteins
amino acids
