the cell & basic chemistry Flashcards
what are elements?
substances that cannot be broken down into simpler substances
who created the atomic theory and what is it?
John Dalton in the early 1800’s, he proposed that elements consisted of tiny particles called atoms
describe the charges of neutrons, protons, and electrons
neutrons are neutral, protons are positive, electrons are negative
what’s a carbon atom composed of
6 neutrons, 6 protons, 6 electrons
what releases radiation
decay of isotopes
what shell dictates the chemical properties of the element
the outer most shell (valence shell)
molecule
when two or more of the same type of atoms bond together
compound
a molecule containing atoms of at least two different elements
ionic bonding
transfer of one electron from one atom to another creating a stable valence electron
what determines the structure of compounds and energy release
electrons and their bonds
covalent bond
when atoms share electrons to complete an octet valence electron shell
cohesion
ability for water molecules to bind to themselves
adhesion
ability for water to cling to other polar surfaces
what happens when water ionizes
it releases an equal number of hydrogen ions (H+) and hydroxide ions (OH-)
whats an acid
substance that dissociates in water and releases hydrogen ions (H+)
whats a base
substances that either take up hydrogen ions (H+) or release hydroxide ions (OH-)
name the 4 types of biomolecules
carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids
why is carbon the backbone for living organisms structure
carbon can bond to itself and other atoms
carbohydrate
used as an energy source but also necessary for structure; can be single rings or long chains of sugar
what groups are included in lipids?
fats, oils, phospholipds, steroids, and waxes
fat structure
fatty acids have 16 or 18 carbons and hydrogens
triglycerides
composed of a glycerol backbone and 3 fatty acids
phospholipids
critical membrane component
steroids
four fused carbon rings,
proteins
primary importance and can make up 50% of the dry weight of most cells
protein functions:
metabolism, support, transport, defense, regulation
DNA
Composed of a deoxyribose
sugar
* Double stranded
* Helix shape
* Uses ATCG
* Very stable
RNA
Contains a ribose sugar ring
* Single strand
* Not helix shaped
* Uses AUCG
* Not stable
DNA base pairs
C and G pair
T and A pair up
