Biomolecules and Intermolecular Interactions

Vocabulary flashcards based on key concepts discussed in the lecture regarding biomolecules and intermolecular interactions.

Covalent bonds

Strong chemical bonds formed by the sharing of electron pairs between atoms.

Non-covalent interactions

Weak chemical interactions, including ionic bonds, hydrogen bonds, and van der Waals forces.

Keq

Equilibrium constant, a value that describes the ratio of products to reactants at equilibrium.

∆G

Gibbs free energy change, indicating the spontaneity of a reaction; negative values indicate spontaneity.

Hydrophobic interaction

Non-polar molecules clustering together in an aqueous environment, driven by entropy.

Ionic interactions

Attractive or repulsive forces between charged species.

Hydrogen bonds

Attraction between a hydrogen atom covalently bonded to an electronegative atom and another electronegative atom.

Van der Waals forces

Weak attractions between molecules due to transient partial charges.

Dipole

A molecule that has a positive end and a negative end, typically due to electronegativity differences.

Entropy (S)

A measure of disorder or randomness in a system.

Clathrates

Cage-like structures formed by water around non-polar molecules.

Hydrophilic

Water-attracting substances that are polar or charged.

Hydrophobic

Water-repelling substances that are non-polar.

Biomolecules

Organic molecules produced by living organisms, including proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, and nucleic acids.

Membrane assembly

The process by which biomolecular membranes form, driven by hydrophobic interactions.

Polarity

The distribution of electric charge over the atoms joined by the bond.

Standard state

A set of conditions (1 bar pressure and specific temperature) used in thermodynamic calculations.

Gibbs free energy equation

∆G = ∆H - T∆S, relating the energy change to enthalpy, temperature, and entropy.

Protein folding

The process by which a protein assumes its functional shape or conformation.

Aqueous environment

Surroundings that are predominantly water.

Polar amino acids

Amino acids that have side chains that can form hydrogen bonds due to their polarity.

Non-polar amino acids

Amino acids that have side chains that do not form hydrogen bonds due to their non-polarity.

Charge complementarity

The principle that oppositely charged groups attract, while like charges repel.

Hydrogen bond donor

A molecule or functional group that provides a hydrogen atom for the formation of a hydrogen bond.

Hydrogen bond acceptor

A molecule or functional group that receives a hydrogen atom from a hydrogen bond.

Molecular interactions

The various forces that hold molecules together in a structure.

Thermodynamics

The branch of physical science that deals with the relations between heat and other forms of energy.

Electrostatic interactions

Forces of attraction or repulsion between charged particles.

Transition state

A high-energy state during a chemical reaction that must be achieved for the reaction to proceed.

Hydrophobic effect

Influence that drives non-polar substances out of water.

Inorganic ions

Charged particles that are not carbon-based; examples include Na+ and Cl-.

Entropy change (∆S)

The change in disorder of a system during a process.

Biochemical interactions

Interactions that occur between biomolecules, crucial for biological processes.

Transient dipoles

Temporary changes in charge distribution that lead to van der Waals forces.

Strong intermolecular interactions

Attractive forces between molecules that are significant in magnitude.

Weak intermolecular interactions

Attractive forces between molecules that are minor in magnitude.

Chemical groups

Specific groups of atoms that impart particular properties to a molecule.

Hydrophobic side chains

Hydrophobic (non-polar) groups in amino acids that play a key role in protein structures.

Anomalously high boiling point

A boiling point that is higher than what would be expected based on molecular weight.

Vicosity of water

The measure of the resistance of water to flow, influenced by hydrogen bonding.

Charged species

Atoms or molecules with a net electrical charge, such as cations and anions.

Dipole moment

A measure of the separation of positive and negative charges in a molecule.

Interaction strength

The intensity of attraction or repulsion between molecules.

Thermodynamic favorability

A measure of whether a reaction is likely to occur based on changes in enthalpy and entropy.

Ionic strengths

Concentration of ions in a solution, affecting interaction forces.

Experimental setups

Designed arrangements for conducting scientific experiments.

Chemical stability

A measure of how resistant a chemical substance is to change.

Biochemical pathways

Series of chemical reactions occurring within a cell.

Molecular orientation

The arrangement of a molecule in three-dimensional space.

Macromolecular structure

The complex structure of large molecules, such as proteins and nucleic acids.