Chemistry of Life - AP Biology

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts in the chemistry of life, including water properties, biomolecules, and protein structures.

Polarity

A property of water molecules that results from unequal sharing of electrons, causing a partial positive and partial negative charge.

Hydrogen Bond

A weak attraction between a highly electronegative atom and a hydrogen atom involved in a separate polar covalent bond.

Cohesion

The ability of water molecules to resist separation from one another, resulting in surface tension.

Adhesion

The tendency of water to stick to unlike substances, such as water molecules sticking to a car window.

Capillary Action

The movement of water up small tubes due to adhesion and cohesion.

Hydrophilic

Substances that are 'water loving' and can dissolve in water.

Hydrophobic

Substances that are 'water fearing' and cannot dissolve in water.

Dehydration Synthesis

The process of combining smaller molecules into larger ones by removing water.

Hydrolysis

The process of splitting large molecules into smaller molecules using water.

Functional Groups

Clusters of atoms in a molecule that provide polarity or acidity, influencing the molecule's behavior.

Monosaccharides

The simplest form of carbohydrates, also known as simple sugars, such as glucose.

Disaccharides

Carbohydrates formed by the joining of two monosaccharides.

Polysaccharides

Complex carbohydrates that consist of many monosaccharides linked together.

Saturated Fatty Acids

Fatty acids that have single bonds within their hydrocarbon tails, leading to a solid state at room temperature.

Unsaturated Fatty Acids

Fatty acids that contain one or more double bonds, making them liquid at room temperature.

Triglycerides

Lipids formed from one glycerol molecule and up to three fatty acids.

Proteins

Diverse macromolecules used for structure, enzymes, transport, communication, and cellular defense.

Amino Acids

The basic building blocks of proteins, each containing an amine group, carboxyl group, and a variable R group.

Peptide Bonds

Covalent bonds that connect amino acids, formed between the amine group of one amino acid and the carboxyl group of another.

Primary Structure

The unique sequence of amino acids in a protein, which determines its function.

Secondary Structure

Folding of the polypeptide chain stabilized by hydrogen bonds, resulting in shapes like alpha helices and beta sheets.

Tertiary Structure

The overall 3D shape of a protein, determined by interactions among R groups.

Quaternary Structure

The structure formed when two or more polypeptide chains associate or bond together.

Denaturation

The process by which a protein loses its shape and function due to changes in temperature, pH, or other factors.

Nucleic Acids

Polymers made of nucleotide monomers, essential for genetic information storage, including DNA and RNA.

Base Pairing Rules

In DNA, adenine pairs with thymine and guanine pairs with cytosine.

DNA Directionality

DNA strands are antiparallel, running in opposite directions with respect to the 5' and 3' ends.