Understanding the Molecules of Life

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts from the lecture on molecules of life and their significance in biological systems.

Diversity

The variety of different species, people, and molecules that exist on Earth.

Polar Molecule

A molecule that has regions of partial negative and positive charge due to unequal sharing of electrons.

Covalent Bond

A type of bond where atoms share electrons.

Hydrogen Bond

A weak bond formed between a hydrogen atom with a partial positive charge and an electronegative atom.

Surface Tension

The energy required to increase the surface area of a liquid; water has high surface tension due to hydrogen bonding.

Cohesion

The tendency of similar molecules to stick together; water exhibits high cohesion.

Carbon Atom

An atom with 6 protons, capable of forming up to 4 covalent bonds.

Isomers

Compounds with the same molecular formula but different structural arrangements.

Proteins

Biomolecules that act as catalysts (enzymes) to speed up chemical reactions.

Nucleic Acids

Molecules that store and transmit genetic information, such as DNA and RNA.

Polynucleotide

A polymer made of nucleotide monomers, which form the structure of nucleic acids.

Phosphodiester Bond

A covalent bond that connects nucleotides in DNA and RNA by linking the phosphate group to the sugar.

Lipid

A type of biomolecule that is hydrophobic and not composed of repeating units, unlike polymers.

Saturated Fatty Acids

Fatty acids that contain the maximum number of hydrogen atoms and no double bonds.

Unsaturated Fatty Acids

Fatty acids that have fewer hydrogen atoms due to the presence of double bonds.

Steroids

A type of lipid characterized by a ring structure, such as cholesterol.

Phospholipid

A molecule that makes up the cell membrane, consisting of a hydrophilic head and hydrophobic tails.