3.1 Biological Elements

All living thing are made of what key elements?

carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen

What other two elements have important roles in the biochemistry of cells?

phosphorus and sulfur

What are these six elements by far the most in biological molecules?

they are the most abundant

What is a molecule?

two or more atoms bonded together

Covalent bond?

shared pair of electrons

How many bonds can carbon form with other atoms?

a maximum of four covalent bonds

How many bonds can nitrogen form with other atoms?

usually forms 3 covalent bonds, but it can form a maximum of 4 covalent bonds

Why is life on this planet often referred to as being carbon based?

carbon forms the backbone of most biological molecules

What is an ion?

an atom or molecule in which the total number of protons is not equal to the total number of electrons

What charge when atoms gains electrons?

negative - anion

What charge if an atom loses an electron?

positive - cation

What are the positive and negative ions held together by?

the attraction of opposite charges

Electrolytes?

ions in solutions

cations (5)?

sodium ions, potassium ions, calcium ions, hydrogen ions and ammonium ions

Calcium ions necessary for?

nerve impulse transmission and muscle contraction

Sodium ions necessary for?

nerve impulse transmission and kidney function

Potassium ions necessary for?

generating electrical impulses in nerves and muscles, regulating fluid and electrolyte balance, maintaining a steady heartbeat, and helping cells process nutrients and expel waste

Hydrogen ions necessary for?

catalysis of reactions and pH determination

Ammonium ions necessary for?

production of nitrate ions by bacteria

Anions (5)?

nitrate ions, hydrogen carbonate ions, chloride ions,, phosphate ions and hydroxide ions

Nitrate ions necessary for?

nitrogen supply to plants for amino acid formation and protein formation

Hydrogen carbonate ions necessary for?

maintenance of blood pH

Chloride ions necessary for?

balance positive charges of sodium and potassium ions in cells

Phosphate ions necessary for?

cell membrane formation, nucleic acid and ATP formation and bone formation

Hydroxide ions necessary for?

catalysis of reactions, pH determination

What are the elements present in Carbohydrates?

CHO - carbon, hydrogen and oxygen

What are the elements present in Lipids?

CHO - carbon, hydrogen and oxygen

What are the elements present in Proteins?

CHONS - carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen and sulfur

What are the elements present in Nucleic acids?

CHONP - carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen and phosphorus

Monomer?

an individual molecule that join up to form polymers

What are polymers?

long-chain molecules made up by linking monomers (individual molecules)

What are the monomers called in carbohydrates?

sugars (saccharides)

What are the monomers called in proteins?

amino acids

Calcium ions chemical symbol?

…

sodium ions chemical formula?

…

potassium ions chemical formula?

K+

Hydrogen ions chemical formula?

H+

Nitrate ions chemical formula?

…

hydrogen carbonate ions chemical formula?

…

Ammonium ions chemical formula?

…

Chloride ions chemical formula?

Cl-

Phosphate ions chemical formula?

…

Hydroxide ions chemical formula?

OH-