Unit 1: Biochemistry

Element

a substance that cannot be broken down into smaller parts and still retain its properties

Atom

smallest part of an element

Compound

consists of two or more elements combined in a fixed ratio

Molecule

smallest part of a compound

Ionic

metals give away/lose electrons, non-metals accept/gain electrons, created charged ions, INORGANIC

Covalent

non-metals share electrons, no charges, ORGANIC

Polar Covalent Bonding

electrons are NOT shared equally, partial charges are created

Non-Polar Covalent Bonding

electrons are shared equally, no charges occur

Intermolecular bonding

bonding between two or more different molecules

Intramolecular bonding

bonding within a molecule, can be polar or non-polar

Hydrogen bonding

occurs between partial positive and partial negative charges in polar molecules, weak by themselves but strong in large numbers

Hydrophilic

water loving, polar molecules

Hydrophobic

water fearing, non-polar molecules

Cohesion

two of the same molecules hydrogen bond, allows for the transport of water and dissolved nutrients, and surface tension

Surface tension

measure of how difficult it is to break the surface of a liquid, force pushing upwards on surface of the water, more hydrogen bonds: stronger force

Adhesion

water polar bonds to different type of polar molecule

High specific heat capacity

due to hydrogen bonds between water molecules: when heat is absorbed by water, hydrogen bonds must break, when heat is released, hydrogen bonds must form

High heat of vaporization

due to hydrogen bonds between water molecules, water requires a lot of energy to convert 1g of liquid water to a gas

Expansion upon freezing

ice floats on liquid water because it’s less dense due to hydrogen bonds, volume of water expands when it freezes into solid

Dissociate

positive and negative ions separate when mixed with water, falls apart into original state. Ex) acid added to solution: releases the hydrogen ions, causes acidity of the solution to increase

pH scale

scale from 0-14 representing the concentration of {H+} hydrogen ions and {OH-} hydroxide ions in a solution, more H+ is acidic, more OH- is basic

[ ]

concentration of

Enzyme

organic catalyst, only work if the pH is correct, required in chemical reactions

Negative feedback loops

bring pH back to normal

Buffers

absorb extra H+ and OH- to keep pH balanced, attach the H+ or OH- to buffer molecule

Monomer

smallest molecule possible for a particular organic group

Macromolecule

largest molecule possible, chemically bonding monomers together

Polymer

macromolecule where all the monomers are identical

Synthesis

chemical reaction that creates a chemical bond, turning monomers into macromolecules, release water molecules

Hydrolysis

chemical reaction that breaks a chemical bond, separating monomers, requires water molecules

Monosaccharides

monomers of carbohydrates, all follow empirical formula

Structural isomers

H and OH are attached in different locations, changes the chemical nature of the sugar

Disaccharides

monomers join with another monomer, maltose = glucose + glucose

Glycosidic bond

bond created between carbohydrates, when two monosaccharides do synthesis with each other

Starch

straight chains of glucose with few side chains, used as glucose storage in plants

Glycogen

highly branched chain of glucose, used as glucose storage in animals

Cellulose

not a nutrient, straight chain of glucose with few side chains, uses very strong bond that humans lack the enzyme to break (created by every second glucose monomer rotated 180 degrees), used as structural component in cell walls, promotes digestive health (fiber)

Monomers

glycerol and fatty acids

Saturated

completely full, ex) C in triglyceride is saturated with H because all C have four bonds and can’t make more bonds

Ester bond

bond created by synthesis in a lipid

Fatty acid monomers

saturated fatty acids, monounsaturated fatty acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids

Adipose

fat tissue, collection of fat cells

Emulsification

non-polar side of bile is attracted to lipid bubble, polar side of bile is attracted to water

Phospholipid

macromolecule of lipid, only use is to construct cell membranes, creates both polar and non-polar ends

Steroids

macromolecule of lipid, cholesterol and sex hormones

Peptide bonds

synthesis bonds between amino acids

Primary protein structure

linear chain of polypeptides, specific order of amino acids is genetically determined

Secondary protein structure

helix or pleated sheet shape, hydrogen bonds between H and O of the peptide bonds twists the protein

Tertiary protein structure

globular shape, location and sequences of R groups determines where the folds are

Quaternary protein structure

3 or 4 different globular proteins bond

Phosphodiester bonds

nucleotides synthesis bonding

ATP

energy molecule for all living things, macromolecule of nucleic acids