Unit 3- Biochemistry

Atoms 

the smallest unit of matter 

Ion

an atom or molecule where the total number of electrons is not equal to the total number of protons, giving it a net positive or negative charge. (has gained or lost one or more electrons, resulting in a net electric charge)

Octet rule 

atoms tend to gain, lose or share electrons so as to have 8 electrons

Ionic bond 

results from the transfer of electrons (stealing) from a metal to a nonmetal  which creates Ions.

Covalent bond

2 atoms share a pair of electrons 

polar

one atom holds onto the “SHARED” electron for a longer amount of time

non polar

atoms share the electron equally

solvent

dissolves substances (liquid)

solute

what is dissolved (solid)

solution

solute + solvent

Electronegativity

the ability of an atom to attract electrons towards itself in a covalent bond

hydrogen bonds 

Attraction between the partial charges in a hydrogen  & an (partial) - charge oxygen, nitrogen or fluorine atom

Organic compound

Organic compounds / biomolecules are molecules composed of carbon and hydrogen, and may contain any number of other elements

Biomolecule

Organic compounds / biomolecules are molecules composed of carbon and hydrogen, and may contain any number of other elements - b

Polymer

Polymers are molecules that are built out of MANY repeated pieces linked together

Monomer

The 1 piece that is repeated over and over

Chitin

(arthropods & fungi) - Function structure: The tough material that makes up the exoskeleton of arthropods and the cell walls of fungi

Phospholipid bilayer

So the cell membrane is 2 layers of phospholipids

Denature

unfolded into a polypeptide chain

Denaturation

caused by:

Increase in Temperature

change in pH ( Acidic / Basic)

change in Salinity (salt)

Catalyst

Anything that speeds up a chemical reaction

Digestion reaction (digestive enzyme)

break down molecules

synthesis reaction ( synthesis enzymes)

build molecules

Gene

sections of DNA ( letters / bases) with the instructions to make proteins