Biochem Quiz flashcards

What are atoms composed of

What are atoms composed of

Protons, neutrons, and electrons

What is an atom’s atomic number

The number of protons in an atom

What is an atom’s atomic mass

The weighted average of all naturally occurring isotopes of an element

What is an element

A pure substance composed of only one type of atom

What are the living elements

Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen, Oxygen, Phosphhorus, and Sulfur (CHNOPS)

What is an isotope

A different form of an element, varying in the number of neutrons found in the nucleus

What is a positively charged ion called

Cation (More protons than electrons)

What is a negatively charged ion called

Anion (More electrons than protons)

What is a valence electron

An electron belonging to an atom’s outermost (valence) electron shell; involved in chemical bonding

What is the octet rule

Atoms want to lose, gain, or share electrons to fill out their valence electron shells; Causes atoms to form chemical bonds

What is a polar covalent bond

A bond formed between atoms with an electronegativity difference of 0.5 and 1.7 resulting in an uneven sharing of electrons

What is a non-polar covalent bond

A bond formed between atoms with similar electronegativities (0-0.5 difference) resulting in an even sharing of electron pairs

What is an ionic bond

A very strong bond in which atoms transfer electrons between one another. Their unstable and opposite charges cause them to be mutually attracted to one another

What is a hydrogen bond

An weak attraction between H δ+ and a strongly electronegative atom

What is water

A strongly polar molecule that is very important for life. H2O

What is a universal solvent

A substance that has a special feature that allows it to pull apart/dissolve other similarly charged compounds (water)

What is heat capacity

The amount of heat energy needed to raise the temperature of a substance

What is heat of vaporization

The amount of heat energy needed to break enough bonds holding a substance together and cause it to phase change into a gas

What is adhesion

The ability of a substance to stick to other substances through hydrogen bonding

What is cohesion

The ability of a substance to stick to itself

What is surface tension

A result of a substance’s cohesion; The force that keeps the surface of a liquid held together even when put under stress

What is capillary action

A result of a substance’s cohesion and adhesion; The ability of a substance to move up small tubes without the help of any outside forces

What makes water special

It’s cohesive and adhesive properties, it’s high heat capacity, and it’s high polarity

What is hydrophilic

A water loving substance that can interact with water molecules; usually either ionic or polar covalent

What is hydrophobic

A water hating substance that doesn’t interact with water molecules; usually non-polar covalent. They group together in water

What is pH

The measurement of the concentration of H+ ions in an aqueous solution. pH = −log [H+]. Water has a neutral value of 7

What is pOH

The measurement of of the concentration of -OH ions in a solution. Water has a neutral value of 7. Inversely proportional to pH

What is a solvent

A substance in which another substance can be dissolved in

What is a solute

A substance capable of being dissolved by a solvent

What is a solution

A mixture between a solvent an a solute in which the solvent is at a significantly higher concentration than the solute

What is an acid

A substance that donate H+ or H3O+ ions to a solution to lower the pH. They can also take away OH- ions

What is a base

A substance that accept H+ ions from a solution to raise the concentration of OH- (hydroxide ions) in that solution

What is an amphiprotic substance

A substance that can function as both an acid and a base. They’re found in bodily systems, regulating pH levels

Why pH is important to living systems

Certain molecules in a living system function best in certain pH ranges. When a protein for example is in an environment with an unfavorable pH it denatures, losing it’s 3d shape

What is one biological function of pH

Lactic acid is produced during aerobic cell respiration, like that of which that occurs in muscles. When it reaches too high of a concentration, the muscle stops functioning as well, thus forming a feedback loop

What is a macromolecule

A very large molecule that is essential for biological functioning (carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids)

What is a functional group

A molecule that can bond with another larger molecule, giving it special properties regardless of what molecule their bonded to

What is a hydroxyl group

A functional group consisting of an O and H atom that makes the molecule it’s attached to polar

What is a carboxyl group

A functional group formed from the bonding of a carbonyl (C=O) group and a hydroxyl (OH) group. These groups make molecules acidic

What is an amino group

A functional group formed by the combination of an N atom and two H atoms (H2N). They make molecules basic

What is a phosphate group

A functional group consisting of two OH groups bonded to a PO2 group. They form bond between nucleic acids and make whatever molecule they’re attached to acidic

What is a Sulfhydryl group

A functional group consisting of an S atom bonded to an H atom. They’re polar, but not as polar as hydroxyl groups. Form disulfide bridges in proteins

What is a carbohydrate

A macromolecule composed of Carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen in a 1:2:1 ratio; Saccharides, used in energy storage/transport, structural purposes, and communicative purposes

What is a lipid

A non-polar macromolecule composed of hydrocarbon chains; fats or oils

What is a side chain/R group

The rest of the molecule to which a functional group is attached to

What is an amino acid

The monomers of proteins, consisting of a carboxyl group, amino group, and hydrogen atom bonded to a carbon atom. The fourth electron pair of this carbon atom is bonded to a side chain unique to that amino acid

What is a nucleic acid

A macromolecule consisting of a long chain of nucleotides; DNA or RNA

What is a nucleotide

The monomers of nucleic acid polymers; composed of a phosphate group and nitrogenous base bonded to a pentose sugar

What is a protein

A macromolecule composed of a unique series of amino acids

What is a protein’s primary structure

The sequence of amino acids that make up a polypeptide chain, held together by peptide bonds. They determine higher protein structures

What is a protein’s secondary structure

The shape in which a polypeptide chain grows, formed as a result of hydrogen bonds between amino acids; α helix or β pleated sheet

What is a protein’s tertiary structure

The folding of a protein’s secondary structures to form complex 3D shapes that give a protein it’s function. Determined by interactions between side chains of amino acids

What is a protein’s quaternary structure

The further folding of multiple polypeptide chains. This isn’t found in every protein, and when it is, it can be modified when needed, enhancing the protein’s functional capabilities

What is hemoglobin

A protein found in blood that helps carry oxygen throughout an organism’s cells

What are enzymes

Biological catalysts with very specific shapes meant to speed up very specific chemical reactions; RNA or proteins

What is a triglyceride

A lipid composed of a glycerol molecule bonded to three fatty acids or hydrocarbon chains. They can store a lot of energy within their many bonds

What is a phospholipid

An amphipathic lipid composed of two non-polar hydrocarbon chains and one very polar phosphate group bonded to a glycerol molecule. Found in cell membranes

What is a steroid (lipid)

A type of lipid consisting of four carbon rings; Cholesterol

What is a saturated fat

A lipid in which the fatty acids are composed of exclusively singular bonds. They can be packed together really tightly and are solid at room temperature

What is an unsaturated fat

A lipid in which the fat acids contain occasional double bonds. They can’t be packed together very tightly, and are liquids (oils) at room temperature

What is a monosacharide

A type of carbohydrate consisting of one sugar molecule. They’re used in metabolic processes; Glucose, fructose, galactose

What is a disaccharide

A type of carbohydrate consisting of two sugar molecules bonded through a glycosidic linkage

What is a polysaccharide

A type of carbohydrate consisting of glycosidic linkages between several monosaccharides. They’re used for structural purposes

What is dehydration synthesis

A process through which chemical bonds can be formed through the removal of water

What is hydrolysis

A process through which chemical bonds are broken through the addition of water

What is DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid)

A nucleic acid consisting of two nucleic chains bonded together in a helical shape through hydrogen bonds between their corresponding nitrogen bases; Stored in the nucleus

What is RNA (Ribonucleic Acid)

A single stranded nucleic acid read by ribosomes to synthesize proteins in a cell. Can form a unique 3D structure by folding over itself

What are the base pairings of nucleic acids

Adenine - Thymine/Uracil and Cytosine - Guanine

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