Chapter 2: Chemical Reactions and Biological Molecules - Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms from Chapter 2 notes on chemical reactions, energy, enzymes, and organic/inorganic compounds.

Catabolic

Relating to the metabolic process involving the breakdown of larger molecules into smaller ones, releasing energy.

Exchange

A type of metabolic reaction in which parts of two molecules are swapped or traded to form new products.

Anabolic

Relating to the metabolic process involving the synthesis of larger molecules from smaller ones, requiring energy.

Chemical Notation

Symbolic representation of atomic and molecular transformations using symbols and formulas.

Chemical Equation

A written expression showing substances engaged in a reaction on the left and newly formed substances on the right, with an arrow indicating direction and often indicating stoichiometry.

Reactants

Substances that participate in a chemical reaction.

Products

Substances formed by a chemical reaction.

Reverse Reactions

Processes that proceed in the opposite direction, converting products back to reactants.

Potential Energy

Stored capacity to do work due to position or state.

Kinetic Energy

Capacity to do work associated with motion.

Chemical Energy

Capacity to do work stored within molecular bonds; a form of stored capacity.

Electrical Energy

Capacity deriving from the movement of charged particles.

Mechanical Energy

Capacity relating to motion or position used to achieve work.

Enzymes

Biological catalysts that accelerate chemical reactions, usually proteins.

Active Site

Region of an enzyme where the substrate binds.

Substrate

Molecule that binds to an enzyme's active site and undergoes a chemical change.

Inorganic Compounds

Substances that do not contain carbon
–hydrogen (C
–H) bonds; include water, salts, acids, bases.

Water

A polar inorganic compound; universal solvent in biology.

Acids/Bases

Substances that influence hydrogen ion concentration in solution; acids donate H+, bases accept H+ or donate hydroxide.

Hydrogen Ion Concentration

The total quantity of H+ in a solution; dictates the solution's acidity (lower pH = more acidic).

pH Scale

A metric from 0 to 14 gauging acidity or basicity; 7 is neutral.

Buffer

Substance that resists changes in pH by neutralizing added acids or bases.

Organic Compounds

Substances containing carbon
–hydrogen (C
–H) bonds that form the basis of life.

Monomer

Small molecular unit that can join with others to form polymers.

Polymer

Large molecule composed of repeating monomer units.

Synthesis

Process of joining monomers to form larger molecules; an anabolic reaction.

Hydrolysis

Chemical reaction that uses water to break bonds in polymers, yielding smaller units.

Carbohydrates

Organic molecules of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen; primary energy source for cells; includes sugars and starches.

Lipids

Hydrophobic organic molecules (fats, oils, phospholipids) used for energy storage and cell membranes.

Amino Acids

Organic molecules that are the fundamental units of proteins; 20 standard types.

Proteins

Polymers of amino acids that perform a wide range of functions, including enzymes and structural roles.

Nucleotides

Monomers of nucleic acids consisting of a sugar, phosphate group, and nitrogenous base.

Nucleic Acids

Polymers (DNA, RNA) that store and transmit genetic information.

Oxidation/ redux reaction

Electron exchange

Monosaccharides

3-7 carbons; typically arranged in a ring structure

• e.g. glucose, dioxyribose, ribose

Disaccharide

2 monosaccharaides joined by polar covalent bond

• e.g. sucrose, lactose

Polysaccharide

Large, least soluble of carbohydrates

• Glucose storage as starch (plants) or glycogen (animals)

• e.g. glycolipids and glycoproteins