Biochemistry - ACT Biology

Biochemistry

Study of chemical processes within living organisms.

Atoms

Basic unit of matter composed of a nucleus with protons and neutrons, surrounded by electrons.

Protons

Positively charged particles in the nucleus of an atom.

Neutrons

Neutral particles in the nucleus of an atom.

Electrons

Negatively charged particles orbiting the nucleus.

Atomic Nucleus

Contains protons and neutrons, bound together by strong forces.

Chemical Element

Pure substance consisting of one type of atom, represented by symbols.

Isotopes

Atoms of the same element with different numbers of neutrons.

Radioactive Isotopes

Unstable isotopes that break down over time, used in various scientific and practical applications.

Chemical Compounds

Formed by the chemical combination of two or more elements in definite proportions.

Chemical Bonds

Formed when two atoms attract electrons, releasing or requiring energy.

Ionic Bonds

Formed by the transfer of electrons from a metal to a non-metal atom.

Covalent Bonds

Formed by the sharing of electrons between non-metal atoms, creating molecules.

Hydrogen Bonds

Weak bonds between hydrogen and other atoms, important in maintaining molecular structures.

Properties of Water

Asymmetrical and highly polar molecule with a bent shape and partial negative charge on oxygen.

Specific Heat Capacity

Water can absorb and release heat with minimal temperature changes, regulating Earth's climate and supporting marine life.

pH (Potential of Hydrogen)

Measures acidity or basicity on a scale of 0 to 14.

Organic Compounds

Compounds containing carbon atoms, including carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.

Carbohydrates

Organic compounds providing quick energy, classified as monosaccharides, disaccharides, and polysaccharides.

Monosaccharides

Simplest carbohydrates, categorized by the number of carbon atoms (trioses, pentoses, hexoses).

Disaccharides

Two monosaccharides joined by dehydration synthesis, broken down by hydrolysis.

Polysaccharides

Many monosaccharides joined by dehydration synthesis, including cellulose, starch, glycogen, and chitin.

Lipids

Non-polar organic compounds like fats, oils, and waxes.

Simple Lipids

Include fats, oils, triglycerides, and waxes, composed of glycerol and fatty acids.

Complex Lipids

Phospholipids consisting of glycerol, two fatty acids, and a phosphate group, crucial for cell membranes.

Lipid Derivatives

Derived from complex lipids, including steroid hormones like estrogen, testosterone, and cholesterol.

Proteins

Polymers of amino acids linked by peptide bonds.

Amino Acids

Building blocks of proteins, composed of carboxyl and amine groups, hydrogen atom, and R group.

Enzymes

Catalysts speeding up reactions, with unique tertiary structures and specific substrates.

Induced Fit Model

Enzyme shape changes to fit substrate.

Lock and Key Model

Disproved idea of rigid enzyme-substrate fit.

Enzyme Denaturation

Loss of enzyme function due to extreme temperature or pH changes.

Allosteric Sites

Bind activators or inhibitors, affecting enzyme activity.

Active Sites

Bind substrates, unaffected by allosteric site binding.

Nucleic Acids

DNA, RNA, and ATP, essential for genetic information storage, transfer, and energy metabolism.

Nucleotides

Comprise phosphate group, pentose sugar, and nitrogen base (adenine, thymine, cytosine, guanine in DNA

Primary Structure

Linear sequence of amino acids.

Secondary Structure

Coiling or folding pattern held by hydrogen bonds.

Tertiary Structure

3D shape of the enzyme.

Quaternary Structure

3D arrangement of multiple polypeptide chains.

Cellulose

Plant cell wall component.

Starch

Plant carbohydrate storage.

Glycogen

Animal carbohydrate storage in liver and muscle.

Chitin

Arthropod exoskeleton, mushroom cell wall material.

Buffers

Resist pH changes in solutions, aiding biological stability.

Solutions

Homogeneous mixtures of solutes dissolved in solvents.

Solutes

Substances dissolved in solutions.

Solvents

Liquids in which solutes dissolve.

Suspensions

Heterogeneous mixtures with undissolved particles.

Adhesion

Water sticking to other substances, enabling capillary action in plants.

Cohesion

Water molecules attracting each other, forming beads and aiding in transpiration and surface tension.