AP Biology Chemistry of Life Vocabulary

Capillary Action

the process of a liquid flowing in narrow spaces without the assistance of, or even in opposition to, external forces like gravity.

Hydrogen Bonds

a covalent bond involving a hydrogen atom located between a pair of other atoms that are electronegative

covalent bond

A chemical bond formed when two atoms share electrons

Solute

the substance that is dissolved

Solvent

A liquid substance capable of dissolving other substances

ionic bond

Formed when one or more electrons are transferred from one atom to another

Cohesion

Attraction between molecules of the same substance

Adhesion

attraction between molecules of different substances

Electronegativity

A measure of the ability of an atom in a chemical compound to attract electrons

functional groups

the components of organic molecules that are most commonly involved in chemical reactions

hydrocarbons

organic molecules consisting of only carbon and hydrogen

organic compounds

carbon-based molecules

Dehydration Reaction

A chemical reaction in which two molecules covalently bond to each other with the removal of a water molecule.

hydrolysis reaction

A chemical reaction that breaks apart a larger molecule by adding a molecule of water

Polymers

large compound formed from combinations of many monomers

Monomers

small unit that can join together with other small units to form polymers

Disaccharide

A double sugar, consisting of two monosaccharides joined by dehydration synthesis.

Monosaccharides

monomers of carbohydrates

Amino Acids

monomers of proteins

Hydrophobic

Water fearing

Hydrophilic

water loving

Polypeptide

A polymer (chain) of many amino acids linked together by peptide bonds.

Polysaccharides

Carbohydrates that are made up of more than two monosaccharides

Starch

A storage polysaccharide in plants consisting entirely of glucose.

Cellulose

polysaccharide consisting of glucose monomers that reinforces plant-cell walls

Glycogen

An extensively branched glucose storage polysaccharide found in the liver and muscle of animals

glycosidic linkage

A covalent bond formed between two monosaccharides by a dehydration reaction.

primary structure of protein

the amino acid sequence of the polypeptide chain

secondary structure of protein

pleated or twisted polypeptide chain due to hydrogen bonding within the chain (R-groups are not involved)

teriary structure of protein

3D folding of the polypeptide chain due to interactions of the R-groups

Quatrenary structure of protein

2 or more polypeptide chains folded together

Lipids

hydrophobic, nonpolar, and usually made up mostly of hydrocarbon chains

Fat

A large lipid molecule made from an alcohol called glycerol and three fatty acids; a triglyceride.

fatty acids

Monomers of Lipids

Protein

A three dimensional polymer made of monomers of amino acids.

Phospholipids

a lipid consisting of a glycerol bound to two fatty acids and a phosphate group.

steriod

A lipid that is composed of 4 fused carbon rings

antiparallel

referring to the arrangement of the sugar-phosphate backbones in a DNA double helix (they run in opposite 5' -3' directions).

nucleic acids

macromolecules containing hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, carbon, and phosphorus

DNA

deoxyribonucleic acid, a self-replicating material present in nearly all living organisms as the main constituent of chromosomes. It is the carrier of genetic information.

RNA

A single-stranded nucleic acid that passes along genetic messages

Nucleotide

monomer of nucleic acids made up of a 5-carbon sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base

Gene

A segment of DNA on a chromosome that codes for a specific protein

Pyrimidines

a nitrogenous base that has a single-ring structure

Purine

a nitrogenous base that has a double-ring structure

Glycerol

Combines with fatty acids to make lipids.

saturated fatty acid

a long-chain hydrocarbon with single covalent bonds in the carbon chain; no double bonds

unsaturated fatty acid

A fatty acid possessing one or more double bonds between the carbons in the hydrocarbon tail.

peptide bond

covalent bond formed between amino acids

R group of amino acids

a side chain specific to each amino acid that confers particular chemical properties to that amino acid.

high specific heat

The ability of water to resist changes in temperature.

surface tension

A measure of how difficult it is to stretch or break the surface of a liquid

Polarity

Molecules having uneven distribution of charges

nonpolar

equal sharing of electrons

evaporative cooling / heat of vaporization

property of a liquid where the surface becomes cooler during evaporation due to the loss of molecules due to heat absorption