biology: chemistry of life, elements of life

methyl group

-CH3

hydroxl group

-OH

carboxyl group

-COOH

carbonyl group

-C=O

amino group

-NH2

sulfhydryl group

-SH

phosphate group

-OPO3 2-

organic compounds

containing carbon and hydrogen

hydrocarbons

contain only carbon and hydrogen

macromolecule

large organic molecule composed of many smaller molecules

macromolecule classes

carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids

monomers

building blocks of polymers

polymers

large compound formed from combinations of many monomers

dehydration synthesis/reaction

chemical reaction where two monomers are linked together with the loss of H20

hydrolsis

chemical breakdown of compound due to adding H20

polarity

the property of having poles or being polar due to unequal sharing of electrons

cohesion

attraction (covalent) between molecules of the same kind due to polarity

adhesion

attraction between molecules of different kinds due to polarity of H2O

capillary action

tendency of water to rise in a thin tube, due to high adhesion and cohesion combined

temperature control

H2O having the ability to resist change in temperature due to hydrogen bonds

density

H2O molecules expand and become less dense (water), and looses ability to move

solvent

dissolving agent in solution

solution

mix of substances

solute

substance which is dissolved

universal solvent

H2O, due to polarity and ability to dissolve many different solutes

surface tension

the force of hydrogen bonds acting as a net for the surface of water