Introduction to Molecular Biology and Chemical Bonds Flashcards
Molecular Biology
Understanding biological processes at a molecular level.
Gene Structure
Arrangement and function of genes in organisms.
Biological Processes
Chemical reactions and interactions in living systems.
Covalent Bonds
Bonds formed by sharing electron pairs between atoms.
Polar Bonds
Covalent bonds with unequal electron sharing.
Non-Polar Bonds
Covalent bonds with equal electron sharing.
Ionic Bonds
Bonds formed by electron transfer between atoms.
Hydrogen Bonds
Weak bonds between hydrogen and electronegative atoms.
Hydrophobic Effects
Interactions that drive non-polar molecules together.
Van der Waals Forces
Weak attractions between molecules or parts of molecules.
Macromolecules
Large molecules essential for cell structure and function.
Chemical Bond Energy
Energy stored in chemical bonds, released during reactions.
Electron Transfer
Movement of electrons during chemical reactions.
Hydrolysis
Chemical breakdown involving water, releasing energy.
Phosphoanhydride Bonds
High-energy bonds in ATP, crucial for energy transfer.
Essential Elements
Key elements like C, H, O, N in life.
Carbon’s Role
Forms four covalent bonds, creating diverse structures.
Covalent Bond Types
Single, double, and triple bonds between atoms.
Bond Rotation
Rotation around single bonds affects molecular conformation.
Electrostatic Interactions
Attractions between charged ions and polar molecules.
Hydration Shell
Water molecules surround ions, stabilizing them in solution.
Non-Covalent Interactions
Weaker interactions crucial for macromolecule structure.
Enzymatic Reactions
Reactions involving enzymes to form or break bonds.
Biological Molecules
Proteins, nucleic acids, polysaccharides, and fats.
Electronegativity
Attraction power of an atom for bonding electrons.
Polar covalent bond
Unequal sharing of electrons between atoms.
Non-polar covalent bond
Equal sharing of electrons between atoms.
Dipole
Charge difference across a polar molecule.
Hydrogen bond
Weak attraction between hydrogen and electronegative atom.
Hydrophilic
Substances that dissolve well in water.
Hydrophobic
Substances that do not dissolve in water.
Hydrophobic effect
Nonpolar molecules aggregate in aqueous solutions.
Van der Waals interactions
Weak attractions due to transient dipoles.
Noncovalent forces
Weaker interactions than covalent bonds.
Molecular complementarity
Compatibility of molecular shapes and charges.
Monomers
Small building blocks of macromolecules.
Polysaccharides
Carbohydrates formed from multiple monosaccharides.
Glycosidic bonds
Linkage between monosaccharides in polysaccharides.
Fatty acids
Long-chain hydrocarbons with a carboxylic acid group.
Saturated fatty acids
Fatty acids with no double bonds.
Monounsaturated fatty acids
Fatty acids with one double bond.
Polyunsaturated fatty acids
Fatty acids with multiple double bonds.
Triacylglycerols
Storage lipids made from glycerol and fatty acids.
Phospholipids
Membrane lipids with hydrophilic head and hydrophobic tail.
ATP
Energy currency of the cell, stores energy.
Hydrolysis of ATP
Releases energy by breaking phosphate bonds.
Redox reactions
Electron transfer reactions in metabolism.
NAD+
Electron carrier, reduced to NADH.
OILRIG
Oxidation is loss, reduction is gain of electrons.
Anabolism
Synthesis of complex molecules from simpler ones.
Catabolism
Breakdown of complex molecules into simpler ones.
Covalent polymerization
Formation of macromolecules from monomers via dehydration.
