Chemistry of Life AP Exam Review

These flashcards cover key concepts related to the chemistry of life, including water properties, biological macromolecules, and their functions.

Water Polarity

Water has polarity due to polar covalent bonds between hydrogen and oxygen, contributing to hydrogen bonding.

High Specific Heat Capacity

Water's ability to maintain homeostatic body temperature in living organisms.

Hydrolysis

A reaction that breaks down molecules into smaller molecules by adding water, cleaving covalent bonds.

Dehydration Synthesis

A reaction where smaller molecules join through covalent bonds, resulting in the loss of a water molecule.

Monosaccharides

Simple sugars that serve as the monomers for polysaccharides (complex carbohydrates).

Saturated Fatty Acids

Fatty acids that contain only single bonds between carbon atoms.

Unsaturated Fatty Acids

Fatty acids that contain at least one double bond between carbon atoms, resulting in kinks in the carbon chain.

Lipids

Typically nonpolar, hydrophobic molecules providing energy storage, insulation, and structural functions.

Nucleotides

The monomers that form nucleic acids (DNA and RNA), each consisting of a five-carbon sugar, phosphate, and nitrogenous base.

DNA Structure

DNA is structured as an antiparallel double helix, with complementary base pairing (A-T, C-G).

Primary Structure of Proteins

The specific sequence of amino acids in a protein that determines its overall shape and function.

Hydrogen Bonds

Weak bonds that play a crucial role in stabilizing structures such as proteins and nucleic acids.

Functional Groups of Amino Acids

Variable R groups that can be hydrophobic, hydrophilic, or ionic, influencing protein structure and function.