Chemistry of Life Lecture Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering the basic chemistry of life, including atomic structure, chemical bonds, pH, macromolecules, and nucleic acids.

Matter

Anything that occupies space and has mass.

Element

A particular type of atom that has a specific number of protons in its nucleus.

Atomic #

The number of protons in an atom, such as 6 for Carbon or 8 for Oxygen.

What are the main elements that make up most of the body?

Carbon, Oxygen, Hydrogen, and Nitrogen.

Protons

Positively charged particles located inside the nucleus that determine the atomic number.

Electrons

Negatively charged particles located outside the nucleus that are smaller in mass than protons.

• same amount as protons

Neutrons

Neutral particles inside the nucleus, calculated by subtracting the atomic number from the atomic mass.

Isotopes

Atoms with the same atomic # but a different number of neutrons.

Chemical Bond

A chemical bond between atoms that produces molecules and compounds.

Ions

Particles with an electrical charge due to the gain or loss of electrons.

Cations

Positively charged ions, such as $Na^+$.

• losing electrons

Anions

Negatively charged ions, such as $Cl^-$.

• gaining electrons

Ionic Bond

An electrical attraction between ions of opposite charges.

• ions gain or lose electrons

Covalent Bond

The sharing of electron pairs between atoms, which can be single, double, or triple.

• forms molecules

Hydrogen Bond

A weak attraction between a Hydrogen atom and a nearby electronegative atom like Oxygen or Nitrogen.

Polar Covalent Bonds

A covalent bond between two different atoms where the stronger atom pulls electrons closer to its nucleus.

• slightly charged

Partial Charge

A slightly positive or slightly negative charge resulting from polar covalent bonding.

Hydrophilic

Polar substances that dissolve in water, where water molecules completely surround the particles.

Hydrophobic

Nonpolar substances that do not dissolve in water.

Acids

Molecules that release $H^+$ (hydrogen ions) when in water.

• HCL (hydrochloric acid)

Bases

Molecules that release $OH^-$ (hydroxyl ions) when in water.

• NaOH (sodium hydroxide)

pH Scale

The measure of $H^+$ concentration in an aqueous solution where each number is $10 \times$ more than the last.

Acidic Solution

A solution where $H^+ > OH^-$ and the pH number is below 7.

Basic Solution

A solution where $OH^- > H^+$ and the pH number is above 7.

Neutral Solution

A solution where $H^+ = OH^-$ such as pure water with a pH of 7.

Human Blood pH

The pH level of 7.35, which is considered slightly basic.

Macromolecules

Organic molecules found inside of cells that contain Carbon and Hydrogen atoms.

Monosaccharides

Simple sugars, such as Glucose ($C_6H_{12}O_6$).

Disaccharides

Two simple sugars joined together, such as Sucrose ($C_{12}H_{22}O_{11}$), losing a water molecule in the process.

Polysaccharides

Long chains of sugars used to store large amounts of energy.

Glycogen

A polysaccharide made in the body and stored in muscle and liver cells.

Insulin

A hormone released when blood sugar rises that lowers blood sugar levels.

Glucagon

A hormone released when blood sugar drops that raises blood sugar levels by breaking down liver glycogen.

Lipids

A category of macromolecules including fatty acids, oils, and steroids.

Triglycerides

Lipids made from one glycerol and three fatty acids.

Saturated Fat

Fats with only single bonds between carbons that are usually solid at room temperature.

Unsaturated Fat

Fats with one or more double bonds between carbons that are usually liquid at room temperature.

Phospholipids

Important lipids composed of two fatty acids and one phosphate group that are components of cell membranes.

Steroids

Lipid derivatives of cholesterol, including hormones like Testosterone and Cortisol.

Cholesterol

A type of steroid that can increase the risk of atherosclerosis if levels are too high in the blood.

Atherosclerosis

A cardiovascular disease associated with high levels of cholesterol in the blood.

Steroid Hormone Examples

Specific chemical messengers including Testosterone, Estrigne, Progesterone, and Cortisol.

Proteins

Polymers of amino acid monomers that make up structures like hair, nails, enzymes, and antibodies.

Amino Group

A polar chemical group with the formula $NH_3$ found in all amino acids.

Carboxylic Acid Group

A polar chemical group with the formula $COO^-$ found in all amino acids.

Polypeptides

Amino acids joined together in long chains.

Primary Structure

The first level of protein structure consisting of amino acids in a long chain.

Secondary Structure

The level of protein structure where Hydrogen bonds allow folding into an alpha helix or pleated sheet.

Tertiary Structure

Multiple secondary structures joined together into a large polypeptide subunit.

Quaternary Structure

Multiple polypeptide subunits joined together by Hydrogen bonds.

Nucleic Acids

Macromolecules like DNA and RNA that function in info storage, protein synthesis, and energy shuttling.

DNA

Double-stranded genetic information found in the nucleus.

Nucleotides

The building blocks of nucleic acids composed of a phosphate group, a sugar, and a nitrogen base.

Polynucleotide

A long strand of nucleotides joined together.

Adenine (A)

One of the four nucleotides of DNA that pairs with Thymine.

Thymine (T)

A DNA nucleotide that is not found in RNA and pairs with Adenine.

Guanine (G)

One of the four nucleotides of DNA that pairs with Cytosine.

Cytosine (C)

One of the four nucleotides of DNA that pairs with Guanine.

Uracil (U)

A nucleotide found only in RNA, replacing Thymine.

Genetic Code

The specific sequence of nucleotides that make up a DNA molecule.

Polar substances

substances that dissolve in water (hydrophilic)

Carbohydrates

type of macromolecule made up of sugars + polysaccharides