The Chemistry of Life Review

These flashcards cover key concepts from the Chemistry of Life chapter, focusing on essential definitions, properties, and processes related to biological molecules.

What are the three subatomic particles of an atom and their charges?

Protons (positive), Neutrons (neutral), Electrons (negative).

Define an element in chemistry.

An element is a substance that cannot be broken down into other substances by chemical reactions.

What is a compound?

A substance consisting of two or more elements combined in a fixed ratio.

Which four elements make up 96% of living matter?

Carbon (C), Hydrogen (H), Oxygen (O), and Nitrogen (N).

What distinguishes isotopes of an element?

Isotopes are forms of an element with differing numbers of neutrons.

What is the atomic number of an element?

The atomic number is the number of protons an element possesses.

How many covalent bonds can carbon form, and why is this significant?

Carbon can form four covalent bonds due to having four valence electrons, allowing for diverse molecules.

What is the difference between polar and nonpolar covalent bonds?

In polar covalent bonds, electrons are shared unequally, while in nonpolar covalent bonds, electrons are shared equally.

How do ionic bonds form?

Ionic bonds occur when one atom steals an electron from another, resulting in charged ions that attract each other.

What are hydrogen bonds, and how do they form?

Hydrogen bonds are weak attractions between a partial positively charged hydrogen atom of one molecule and a strongly electronegative atom of another.

What is the significance of buffers in biological systems?

Buffers minimize changes in pH by accepting and donating H+ ions.

What is the pH scale and what does it measure?

The pH scale runs from 0 to 14, measuring the relative acidity and alkalinity of aqueous solutions.

What are the four unique properties of water that contribute to life on Earth?

Cohesion, moderation of temperature, insulation by floating ice, and being a versatile solvent.

What is dehydration reaction in the context of organic molecules?

A dehydration reaction joins two monomers by removing a molecule of water to form a polymer.

Define monosaccharides and give an example.

Monosaccharides are the monomers of carbohydrates; an example is glucose (C6H12O6).

What distinguishes saturated fats from unsaturated fats?

Saturated fats have no double bonds between carbons and are solid at room temperature, while unsaturated fats have double bonds and are liquid at room temperature.

What are the four structural levels of proteins?

Primary, Secondary, Tertiary, and Quaternary.

What are nucleotides and what are their components?

Nucleotides are the monomers of nucleic acids, composed of a nitrogenous base, a pentose sugar, and a phosphate group.

What role do chaperonins play in protein folding?

Chaperonins assist in the proper folding of proteins by providing an isolated environment.

What is denaturation in proteins?

Denaturation is the loss of protein shape and function due to heat, pH changes, or other disturbances.