Chapter 2: Chemical Basis of Life Vocabulary Flashcards

A comprehensive collection of vocabulary flashcards covering basic chemistry, water interactions, biological mixtures, macromolecule structures, protein folding, enzymes, and lipid categories based on Chapter 2 lecture notes.

Atomic Number

A fundamental property of an element representing its number of protons, used in combination with atomic mass to determine the number of neutrons in an atom.

Valence Electrons

The electrons located in the outermost shell of an atom that govern its chemical bonding behavior and valence.

Nonpolar Covalent Bond

A chemical bond characterized by equal sharing of electrons between atoms, such as in C-C and C-H bonds.

Polar Covalent Bond

A chemical bond formed by unequal sharing of electrons between atoms, such as the intramolecular bond within a single water molecule or in O-H and N-H bonds.

Hydrogen Bond

An intermolecular attraction formed between partial charges, such as the bond formed between two or more water molecules.

Solution

A homogeneous mixture containing a solute dissolved in a solvent, where water serves as the solvent in human physiology.

Suspension

A mixture containing large particles, such as cells, that do not remain mixed over time and fall to the bottom of a container.

Colloid

A mixture containing intermediate-sized particles that remain suspended throughout the mixture without settling to the bottom.

Solute

The chemical substance that is dissolved within a solvent to create a solution.

Solvent

The liquid component of a solution that dissolves the solute, which in human physiology is water.

Buffer Systems

Chemical mechanisms in biological solutions that help maintain homeostasis by resisting changes in pH.

Molecular Formula

A chemical notation that specifies the exact numbers and types of atoms present in a molecule.

Structural Formula

A chemical representation showing the arrangement and bonding pattern of atoms within a molecule.

Dehydration Synthesis

A chemical reaction that combines smaller monomer units into larger biological molecules through the release of water.

Hydrolysis

A chemical reaction that breaks down complex biological molecules into smaller components through the addition of water.

Monosaccharides

The smallest category of carbohydrates, consisting of single monomeric sugar molecules.

Polysaccharides

The largest category of carbohydrates, composed of long chains of repeating monosaccharide units.

Glycoproteins

Molecules consisting of carbohydrate chains attached to proteins.

Glycolipids

Molecules consisting of carbohydrate chains attached to lipids.

Amino Acid R Group

The functional side chain of an amino acid that can be classified as hydrophilic or hydrophobic, governing its interaction with water.

Primary Protein Structure

The linear sequence of amino acids linked together by peptide bonds within a polypeptide chain.

Secondary Protein Structure

Local folding patterns such as alpha helices and beta sheets maintained by hydrogen bonds along the polypeptide backbone.

Tertiary Protein Structure

The overall three-dimensional folding structure of a single polypeptide chain, determined by interactions among amino acid R groups.

Quaternary Protein Structure

The structural complex formed by the association of two or more individual polypeptide chains.

Catalytic Cycle

The sequence of chemical steps through which an enzyme binds substrates, facilitates a reaction, releases products, and returns to its original state.

DNA

A nucleic acid molecule composed of a double strand of nucleotides linked together in a double-stranded helical structure.

ATP

Adenosine triphosphate; a modified nucleotide serving as the energy currency of the cell that cycles between low-energy ADP and high-energy ATP.

Cholesterol

A category of lipid characterized by a hydrophobic four-ring structure.

Triglycerides

A class of lipids composed of a single glycerol molecule bound to three fatty acids.