Module 2, chapter 3, biological molecules Flashcards
biological elements water carbohydrates testing for carbohydrates lipids the structure of proteins nucleic acids DNA replication and the genetic code protein synthesis ATP
properties of simple covalent structures
- low melting and boiling points
- liquids and gases at room temp
- covalent bonds within molecules are strong but bonds between molecules are weak
important biological molecules
hydrogen
water
carbon dioxide
methane
ammonia
why is water important in biology
- it is a metabolite in many reactions
- it hydrates
- 55% of blood is made up of water
- habitat for aquatic animals
- 60 - 80% of the body is made up of water
what is a metabolite, and when is water a metabolite
a metabolite is any substance produced during metabolism, they usually serve the function of energy conversion
water is a metabolite in hydrolysis and condensation reactions
what is cohesion
when water sticks to itself
what is adhesion
when water sticks to other substances
what is the structure of water
- two hydrogen atoms contently bonded to one oxygen atom
what does polar mean and why is water a polar molecule
a polar molecule is a molecule that has differently charged regions
Water is polar, as the oxygen atom has more protons than the hydrogen atoms, so has a greater affinity for the shared electrons, making it slightly negative, this results in the hydrogen being slightly positive.
what does dipolar mean
having two differently charged regions
why can the oxygen atoms in water form hydrogen bonds
as the oxygen is slightly negative, it draws the slightly positive hydrogen atoms in
what is the result of hydrogen bonds
they mean that water molecules can bond with other water molecules, as the oxygen from one molecule attracts the hydrogen from another, this causes cohesion
what can cohesion explain
why a large amount of energy is lost before a temp/state change in water
what is surface tension caused by
cohesion at an air - water surface, it creates a solid like surface
why is water a good solvent
water had polar molecules, so is attracted to other substances that also have polar molecules, because these other substances will become part of the hydrogen bonds in water, they will dissolve and are called hydrophilic. Non polar molecules will not become part of this, so these substances will not dissolve (hydrophobic) e.g triglycerides
what is the formula of a calcium ion and what is it used for
Ca2+
nerve impulses, muscle, contractions,
what is the formula of a sodium ion and what is it used for
Na+
nerve impulses, kidney function
what is the formula of a potassium ion and what is it used for
K+
nerve impulses, stomata
what is the formula of a hydrogen ion and what is it used for
H+
catalysts, pH determination
what is the formula of an ammonium ion and what is it used for
NH4+
needed to make nitrate ions
what is the formula of a nitrate ion and what is it used for
NO3-
amino acid formation
what is the formula of a hydrogen carbonate ion and what is it used for
HCO3-
maintain blood pH