The Molecules of Life

These flashcards cover key concepts and vocabulary from Chapter 2 of Nester's Microbiology, focusing on the molecules of life, their structures, functions, and importance in biological systems.

Martinus Beijerinck

A Dutch microbiologist known for isolating nitrogen-fixing microorganisms called rhizobia.

Rhizobia

Nitrogen-fixing microorganisms isolated from the root nodules of legumes.

Chemical bond

The attraction between atoms that allows the formation of chemical substances.

Ionic bond

A type of bond where atoms lose or gain electrons and attract due to opposite charges.

Covalent bond

A bond formed when atoms share electrons.

Hydrogen bond

A weak bond formed when a hydrogen atom in a polar molecule is attracted to an electronegative atom.

Mole

A quantity that contains 6.022 x 10^23 particles of a substance.

Molarity

The concentration of a solution expressed as the number of moles of solute per liter of solution.

Organic molecules

Molecules that contain carbon and hydrogen, often forming covalent bonds.

Carbohydrates

Organic molecules made of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen typically involved in energy storage and structural components.

Amino acids

The subunits of proteins that consist of a central carbon, an amino group, a carboxyl group, and a variable R group.

Peptide bond

A covalent bond formed between two amino acids during the dehydration synthesis reaction.

Proteins

Complex molecules made up of chains of amino acids that perform various functions in the body.

Nucleotides

The building blocks of nucleic acids, composed of a pentose sugar, a phosphate group, and a nucleobase.

Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA)

The molecule that carries genetic information in living organisms, typically double-stranded.

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP)

The energy currency of the cell, providing energy for cellular processes.