BIO30S Unit 2: Biochemistry

Flashcards covering biochemistry, essential elements, chemical bonds, water properties, acids, bases, salts, biological macromolecules, carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins.

Biochemistry

The study of the chemical processes and substances that occur in living organisms. Major branches include basic chemistry and biological chemistry.

Basic Chemistry

Deals with atomic structure, bonding, and chemical reactions.

Biological Chemistry

Focuses on carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids, and their roles in body functions.

Atomic Structure

Composed of protons, neutrons, and electrons; determines an element's properties.

Protons

Positively charged subatomic particles; the number of protons defines the atomic number.

Electrons

Negatively charged subatomic particles; their arrangement determines bonding properties.

Neutrons

Neutral subatomic particles; contribute to atomic mass.

Elements

Different types of atoms characterized by their unique number of protons.

Valence Electron

Electrons in the outermost energy shell of an atom; determine the bonding properties of the element.

Essential Elements for Life

About 25 elements required for life, including carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen.

Ionic Bonding

Bond formed through the transfer of electrons between a metal and a non-metal, resulting in attraction between oppositely charged ions.

Cation

Positively charged ion.

Anion

Negatively charged ion.

Covalent Bonding

Bond formed when atoms share electrons to achieve a full valence shell; typically occurs between two non-metal atoms.

Non-Polar Covalent Bond

Covalent bond where electrons are shared equally between atoms.

Polar Covalent Bond

Covalent bond where electrons are shared unequally between atoms, leading to partial charges on the atoms.

Electronegativity

Measure of an atom's ability to attract electrons in a covalent bond.

Hydrogen Bond

Weak bond formed between a slightly positive hydrogen atom and another slightly negative atom or molecule.

Chemical Reactions

Processes that occur when two or more unstable elements combine to produce a more stable compound,obeying the Law of Conservation of Matter.

Water (Polar Molecule)

A polar molecule due to unequal charge distribution; excellent solvent for polar substances and ions.

Hydrophilic

Substances that interact with or dissolve in water (ions).

Hydrophobic

Substances that do not interact with water (non-polar molecules).

Acids

Compounds that produce hydrogen ions (H+) in solution.

Bases

Compounds that produce hydroxide ions (OH-) in solution.

Neutralization Reaction

Reaction between an acid and a base, producing water and a salt.

pH Scale

Scale used to measure the acidity or basicity of a solution, ranging from 0 (strong acid) to 14 (strong base), with 7 being neutral.

Inorganic Molecules

Nonliving matter that plays a major role in the function of living things, such as salts.

Organic Molecules

Molecules that always contain carbon and hydrogen.

Monomer

Simple organic molecule that can exist individually or link with other monomers to form a polymer.

Polymer

Large molecule formed by the linking together of many monomers.

Dehydration Reaction

Reaction that removes water (H2O) to join monomers together, forming a polymer.

Hydrolysis Reaction

Reaction in which water is added to break a polymer into monomers (digestion).

Carbohydrates

Organic compounds composed of C, H, and O, used for quick fuel and short-term energy storage.

Monosaccharides

Simple sugars (1 monomer), e.g., glucose, fructose, galactose.

Disaccharides

Sugars consisting of 2 monomers, e.g., maltose, sucrose, lactose.

Polysaccharides

Large polymers made of many monosaccharides, e.g., starch, glycogen, cellulose.

Starch

Polysaccharide used for energy storage in plants.

Glycogen

Polysaccharide used for energy storage in animals.

Cellulose

Polysaccharide used for structure in plant cell walls (fiber).

Lipids

Nonpolar organic compounds used for long-term energy storage, structure (cell membrane), and hormone production.

Fats and Oils

Fats are solid at room temperature (usually from an animal). Oils are liquid at room temperature (usually from a plant).

Triglyceride

A lipid composed of glycerol and three fatty acids.

Saturated Fats

Fats with all carbon atoms bonded to hydrogen; have only single bonds, solid at room temperature, animal fats.

Unsaturated Fats

Fats with C=C double bonds in the fatty acids; prevent molecules from packing tightly, liquid at room temperature, plant and fish fats.

Phospholipids

Lipids with a glycerol, two fatty acids, and a phosphate group; form the phospholipid bilayer in cell membranes.

Steroids

Lipids composed of 4 fused carbon rings; examples include cholesterol and reproductive hormones.

Cholesterol

Important cell component found in animal cell membranes; precursor for other steroids.

Proteins

Diverse group of macromolecules with structural and functional roles, including enzymes, structure, transport, cell communication, defense, and movement.

Enzymes

Proteins that act as catalysts to speed up chemical reactions.

Amino Acids

Monomers of proteins, each containing a central carbon, amino group, carboxyl group, and R group.

Polypeptide

Polymer of amino acids linked by peptide bonds.

Denaturation

Unfolding of a protein, altering its secondary and tertiary structures and destroying its functionality.

Monomers of Carbohydrates

Monosaccharides, e.g., glucose, fructose. Form glycosidic bonds.

Monomers of Lipids

Glycerol and fatty acids. Form ester bonds.

Monomers of Proteins

Amino acids. Form peptide bonds.