molecular biology Flashcards
what is a covalent bond
a chemical bond that involves the sharing of an electron
examples of carbohydrates
- starch
- ribose
- alpha-D-glucose
examples of lipids
- steroids
- phospholipids
- triglycerides
examples of proteins
- enzymes
- polypeptides
- structural proteins
examples of nucleic acid
- DNA
- RNA
how do you detect protein presence
with biuret, it turns purple if positive
how do you detect starch presence
with iodine, it turns black/blue if positive
what is metabolism
the enzymatic reactions that take place inside a living organism
what is anabolism
the synthesis of complex molecules from simpler molecules. requires input of energy.
what is catabolism
the breaking of bonds of complex molecules into simpler molecules. these reactions release energy. could include hydrolysis.
what is hydrolysis
it is the breaking down of chemical bonds by the addition of water molecules. opposite of condensation.
what is condensation
a reaction where two smaller molecules combine to form a larger molecule with the accompanied formation of water molecules. opposite of hydrolysis.
what are the properties of water
- has a negatively charged oxygen atom
- has two positively charged hydrogen atoms
- is polar
- atoms are joined by covalent bonds
- solvency
- adhesion
- cohesion
- thermal properties
