Foundational Chemistry: Properties of Water, Functional Groups, and Enzymes

Vocabulary flashcards covering Topic 2 (Properties of Water), major biological functional groups, and enzymes from Foundational Chemistry.

Polar Molecule (Water)

A molecule characterized by an unequal sharing of electrons, creating a partial negative charge ($\delta^-$) on the oxygen atom and partial positive charges ($\delta^+$) on the hydrogen atoms.

Hydrogen Bond

A bond formed between water molecules where a partially negative oxygen attracts a partially positive hydrogen; it is weak individually but very strong when numerous.

Cohesion

The property of water molecules sticking to other water molecules via hydrogen bonding.

Adhesion

The attraction of water molecules to other polar molecules or different surfaces.

Surface Tension

The measure of how difficult it is to stretch or break the surface of a liquid, creating a surface layer that allows water to resist external force (such as allowing insects to sit or walk on water).

Capillary Action

The ability of a liquid to climb narrow tubes (such as xylem in plant stems) through the combined action of cohesion and adhesion.

High Heat of Vaporization

The large amount of heat energy required to transform liquid water into a gas or vapor, which drives evaporative cooling (such as sweat cooling the body).

High Heat Capacity

The ability of water to absorb or release large amounts of heat while resisting rapid temperature change, thereby moderating environmental and coastal climates.

Density of Ice

The unique characteristic of water where hydrogen bonds form an expanded, stable crystal lattice upon freezing, making solid ice less dense than liquid water so that it floats and insulates the liquid below.

Universal Solvent

Water's capability to dissolve a wide variety of polar solutes and substances due to its polarity.

Hydroxyl Group

A functional group with the chemical formula $-OH$, found in molecules such as methanol, glycerol, glucose, and cholesterol.

Carboxyl Group

A functional group with the chemical formula $-COOH$ consisting of a carbon double-bonded to an oxygen and single-bonded to a hydroxyl group ($-C(=O)OH$), found in organic acids such as acetic acid, citric acid, and lauric acid.

Sulfhydryl Group

A functional group with the chemical formula $-SH$, found in molecules such as cysteine, dithiothreitol, and $\beta$-mercaptoethanol.

Amino Group

A functional group with the chemical formula $-NH_2$, consisting of a nitrogen atom bonded to two hydrogen atoms, found in amino acids such as glycine, lysine, proline, and glutamic acid.

Enzymes

Biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions.