Unit 1: Macromolecules and Water

Vocabulary flashcards covering atomic structure, chemical bonding, water properties, and the four major biological macromolecules based on the Unit 1 lecture notes.

CHNOPS

The six chemical elements required for life: Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen, Oxygen, Phosphorus, and Sulfur.

Atom

The smallest particle of an element, consisting of protons and neutrons in the nucleus and electrons outside the nucleus.

Ionic Bond

A bond formed when electrons are transferred between atoms, creating ions that stick together due to opposite charges.

Covalent Bond

A chemical bond formed when electrons are shared between atoms.

Nonpolar Covalent Bond

A bond characterized by the equal sharing of electrons between atoms.

Polar Covalent Bond

A bond where electrons are shared slightly unequally because they are pulled more by one atom than the other.

Hydrogen Bond

A weak intermolecular force formed between a slightly positively charged hydrogen atom of one molecule and a negatively charged atom of another molecule.

Cohesion

The property of water molecules sticking to themselves.

Adhesion

The property of water sticking to other polar or charged surfaces.

Density of Ice

A property where water freezes into orderly hydrogen bonds that are far apart, causing ice to be less dense than liquid water and float.

Universal Solvent

A description of water referring to its ability to dissolve more things than any other solvent due to its polarity and small size.

Hydrophilic

Substances that interact and mix well with water.

Hydrophobic

Substances that do not mix well with water.

Monomer

A single unit or "building block" used to create larger chains.

Polymer

A long chain made of repeating monomer units.

Dehydration Synthesis

The process of making a polymer from monomers by removing a molecule of water.

Hydrolysis

The process of cutting apart a polymer into monomers by adding a molecule of water.

Carbohydrates

Sugars made of Carbon, Hydrogen, and Oxygen in a $1:2:1$ ratio that serve as a source of energy.

Monosaccharides

Simple sweet-tasting sugars like Glucose, Fructose, and Galactose that serve as the monomers for carbs.

Polysaccharides

Complex carbohydrates such as Starches, Fibers, Glycogen, and Cellulose that digest more slowly for long-term energy.

Cellulose

A complex carbohydrate found in plant cell walls that humans cannot digest, commonly known as fiber.

Lipids

Hydrophobic molecules made of Carbon, Hydrogen, and very few Oxygen atoms used to store energy, insulate, and form cell membranes.

Phospholipids

The main component of cell membranes, consisting of a hydrophilic head and two hydrophobic tails.

Triglycerides

The most common type of lipid used for long-term energy storage, composed of a glycerol and three fatty acid chains.

Saturated Fats

Fats with no double bonds between carbon atoms that are full of Hydrogen and usually solid at room temperature.

Unsaturated Fats

Fats with at least one double bond between carbon atoms and usually liquid at room temperature.

Proteins

Macromolecules made of Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, and Nitrogen that are responsible for cellular processes and building tissue.

Amino Acids

The monomers of proteins; there are 20 different types identified by their unique R-groups.

Nucleic Acids

Macromolecules made of Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen, and Phosphorus, such as DNA and RNA.

Nucleotide

The monomer name for the building blocks of nucleic acids.