Vocabulary : Chapter 2

Question 1

Organic Molecules

Answer 1

Molecules that contain carbon

Question 2

Biomolecules

Answer 2

Organic molecules associated with living organisms. There are 4 major groups : carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleotides.

Question 3

Conjugated Proteins

Answer 3

Protein molecules combined with another kind of biomolecule.

Question 4

Lipoproteins

Answer 4

Proteins combined with lipids

Lipoproteins are found in cell membranes and in the blood, where they act as carriers for less soluble molecules, such as cholesterol.

Question 5

Glycosylated Molecules

Answer 5

Molecules to which a carbohydrate has been attached.

Question 6

Glycoproteins

Answer 6

Proteins combined with carbohydrates.

Question 7

Glycolipids

Answer 7

Lipids that are bound to carbohydrates.

Question 8

Polymers

Answer 8

Large molecules made up of repeating units

Poly - many
- mer a part

Example: glycogen and starch are glucose polymers.

Question 9

Functional Groups

Answer 9

Combination of elements that occur repeatedly in biological molecules.

Atoms in a functional group tend to move from molecule to molecule as a single unit.

Example: (hydroxyl group) -OH are added and removed from molecules as a whole rather than by only oxygen or hydrogen.

Question 10

High-energy Electrons

Answer 10

Electrons in certain atoms can capture energy from their environment and transfer it to other atoms, allowing the energy to be used for synthesis, movement, and other life processes. Can be emitted as radiation.

Example: Bioluminescent.

Question 11

Free Radicals

Answer 11

Unstable molecules with an unpaired electron, thought to contribute to again and to the development of certain diseases (some cancers).

Question 12

Covalent Bonds

Answer 12

Arrangement of electrons in the outer energy level of an atom determines the element’s ability to bind with other elements.

These bonds are strong and require the input of energy to break them apart.

Question 13

Ions

Answer 13

If an atom or molecule gains or loses one or more electrons, it acquires an electrical charge and becomes an ion.

Question 14

Cations

Answer 14

An atom that gives up electrons has a positive charge (+).

Examples: Sodium, potassium, calcium, hydrogen, magnesium.

Question 15

Anions

Answer 15

An atom that gains electrons acquires one negative charge (-).

Example: Chloride, bicarbonate, phosphate, sulfate.

Question 16

Polar molecules

Answer 16

When electrons are shared unevenly, the atom(s) with the stronger attraction for electrons develops a slight negative charge (S+).

The atom(s) with the weaker attraction for electrons develops a slight positive charge (S-).

Example: water molecule

Question 17

Nonpolar molecules

Answer 17

Shared electrons are distributed so evenly that there is no regions of partial positive or negative charge.

Example: fatty acids

Question 18

Ionic bonds

Answer 18

When one atom has such a strong attraction for electrons that it pulls one or more electrons away from other atoms.

‘Electrostatic attractions’; an attraction of ions with opposite charges.

Example: table salt; Na+ and Cl-

Question 19

Hydrogen bonds

Answer 19

A weak attractive force between a hydrogen atom and a nearby oxygen, nitrogen, or fluorine atom.

No electrons are gained, lost, or shared in a hydrogen bond.

Question 20

Surface tension

Answer 20

The attractive force between water molecules that cause water to form spherical droplets when falling or bead up when spilled onto a non-absorbent surface.

Question 21

Van der Waals forces

Answer 21

Weak, nonspecific attractions between the nucleus of any atom and the electrons of nearby atoms.

This force allows atoms to pack tightly together and occupy a minimum amount of space.

Question 22

Isotope

Answer 22

An atom that gains or loses neutrons.

Question 23

Oligopeptide

Answer 23

2-9 amino acids.

Question 24

Polypeptide

Answer 24

10-100 amino acids.

Question 25

Proteins

Answer 25

More than 100 amino acids.

Question 26

What is the pH of human blood in the body?

Answer 26

pH is 7.40, slightly alkaline.

Question 27

Bicarbonate (HCO3-) anion contributes to the body in what way?

Answer 27

An important buffer moderating changes in the pH levels in the human body.