Carbon and Biological Molecules Flashcards

A set of vocabulary flashcards reviewing key concepts on carbon, biological molecules, isomers, macromolecules, protein structures, and nucleic acids based on the self-study quiz.

Isomers

Molecules that have the same chemical formulas but different structures.

Cis/Trans Isomers

Molecules that exhibit structural variation around a double bond.

Enantiomers

Molecules that are mirror images of each other and have an asymmetric/chiral carbon atom

Structural Isomers

Molecules that have the same chemical (molecular) formula, but different arrangements of bonds between atoms.

Carbon (C) Atom Bonding

Carbon atoms always have four bonds.

Carbon-Hydrogen (C-H) Bonds

Non-polar covalent bonds formed between carbon (C) and hydrogen (H) atoms.

Oxygen-Hydrogen (O-H) Bonds

Polar covalent bonds formed between oxygen (O) and hydrogen (H) atoms.

Oxygen-Carbon (O-C) Bonds

Polar covalent bonds formed between oxygen (O) and carbon (C) atoms.

Hydrolysis Reactions

break bonds between linked monomers.

Condensation Reactions

responsible for the linking of monomers into polymers.

Polysaccharides

polymers of sugar monomers.

Monosaccharides

Single sugar monomers that are easily soluble in water.

Fats (Triacylglycerols) are hydrophobic because

they contain many $\text{C-C}$ and $\text{C-H}$ bonds.

Polyunsaturated Fats

contain several $\text{C=C}$ double bonds.

Physical State Difference in Oils vs. Fats

Oils are liquid at room temperature while fats are solid because oils contain more $\text{C=C}$ double bonds.

Fat vs. Phospholipid

fats do not contain phosphate, whereas phospholipids contain a phosphate group.

Proteins

Biological macromolecules that are polymers of amino acids.

Protein Secondary ($2^\text{o}$) Structure

Level of protein structure shown by an alpha ($\text{α}$)-helix and a beta ($\text{β}$)-pleated sheet.

Protein Quaternary ($4^\text{o}$) Structure

Level of protein structure that exists when the protein is composed of at least two subunits.

Native Conformation

The functional three-dimensional shape of a protein.

Protein Denaturation

The loss of a protein's native conformation.

Nucleotides

Molecules composed of a $5\text{C}$ sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base.

DNA Nitrogenous Bases

The nitrogenous bases found in DNA nucleotides, abbreviated as T, G, C, and A.

RNA Nitrogenous Bases

The nitrogenous bases found in RNA nucleotides, abbreviated as C, G, U, and A.

DNA vs. RNA Nucleotides

differ structurally in their five carbon ($5\text{C}$) sugars.

First Strand of DNA: ATTGGCCTT

Second Strand: TAACCGGAA.