Grade 9 Bio - Biochemistry

protons

a particle with a positive charge. Found in the nucleus of an atom. Determines the atomic number of an element.

neutrons

Particle found in the nucleus of an atom. It has no charge.

electrons

Particle with a negative charge, found outside the nucleus of an atom.

What does the term "atomic number" refer to?

The atomic number represents the number of protons in an atom's nucleus.

What does the term "atomic mass" refer to?

Atomic mass refers to the total mass of an atom, which is determined by the sum of the masses of its protons, neutrons, and electrons.

Isotopes

Atoms of the same element with different numbers of neutrons. They have the same atomic number but different atomic masses.

ions

Charged particles formed by gaining or losing electrons.

cations

Positively charged ions formed by losing electrons.

anions

Negatively charged ions formed when atoms gain electrons. They have more electrons than protons, resulting in a negative charge.

ionic bonds

Type of chemical bond formed between atoms with opposite charges. Electrons are transferred from one atom to another, creating ions that attract each other.

valence electrons

The outermost electrons in an atom. They determine the atom's reactivity and ability to form chemical bonds.

covalent bonds

A type of chemical bond formed when two atoms share electrons. It is characterized by the sharing of electron pairs between nonmetal atoms.

non-polar covelent bonds

Type of chemical bond where electrons are shared equally between atoms, resulting in a balanced distribution of charge. Does not create charged particles.

polar covalent bonds

Type of chemical bond where electrons are shared unequally between atoms, resulting in a partial positive and partial negative charge.

What is the order of the strength of different bond types? (strongest to weakest)

Covalent → Ionic → Hydrogen

Why do covalent bonds form?

Covalent bonds form when atoms share electrons to achieve a stable electron configuration.

Hydrogen bonds

Type of chemical bond between a hydrogen atom and an electronegative atom (such as oxygen or nitrogen). It is weaker than covalent or ionic bonds but still important in biological molecules like water.

What type of bond does a water molecule have?

A water molecule has a polar covalent bond.

What are the five properties of water?

The five properties of water are cohesion, adhesion, high specific heat, universal solvent, and density.

What charge does polarity create?

Slightly negative, slightly positive

What does water cohesion mean?

Water molecules “stick” together.

Cohesion creates _________

surface tension

Why is cohesion important for life?

Water striders can walk on water.

What does water adhesion mean?

Water molecules can stick to other surfaces.

What does adhesion allow?

capillary action

When is water less dense?

When it is a solid.

Water molecules are more “loosey goosey” when it is a ____________.

liquid

Water molecules are more stable when they are a __________.

solid

Specific Heat

the amount of energy it takes to change something by 1 degree celsius.

What is another word for high specific heat?

heat capacity

Why does water have a high specific heat?

It’s hard for water molecules to begin moving faster because hydrogen bonds keep the water molecules stuck together.

How does high specific heat affect the weather?

The oceans’ temps. don’t change as much, regulating temperature.

Why is water considered the universal solvent?

Water can dissolve more substances than any other liquid.

What molecules can water not dissolve?

non-polar molecules

What are organic compounds?

Compounds that contain carbon.

Monomers

subunits of larger molecules

Polymers

3 or more monomers bonded together

Dehydration Synthesis

The creation of larger molecules from smaller monomers where a water molecule is released.

hydrolysis

the chemical breakdown of a compound due to reaction with water

Adenosine Triphosphate

stores and releases energy during cell processes, enabling organisms to function. ENERGY OF LIFE

What are the four major organic compound groups?

Carbs, proteins, lipids, nucleic acids.

What elements are in Carbohydrates?

CH2O

What is the monomer of carbs?

monosaccharide

What are 4 examples of carbs?

Sugars, starches, glycogen, cellulose

What are two functions of carbs?

Short term energy; cell structure

What are some signs that something is a carb?

Ends in ose, 1:2:1 ratio, “saccaharides”

What are the monomers of lipids?

fatty acids

What are some examples of lipids?

fats, oils, waxes, phospholipids, steroids

What are the functions of lipids?

Long-term energy, make up cell membranes, insulation

What should you look for to see if something is a lipid?

a little oxygen, a long hydrocarbon chain, don’t dissolve in water

What elements are in proteins?

CHON

What are the monomers of proteins?

Amino acids

What is the polymer of proteins?

There isn’t a true polymer → add glycerol

What are some protein examples?

collagen, antibodies, enzymes

What are the three functions of proteins?

Structure (skin, nails, etc.), defense (antibodies), enzymes

What to look for for proteins?

Nitrogen, “peptide”

What elements are in nucleic acids

CHONP

What are the monomers of nucleic acids?

nucleotides

What are the two examples of nucleic acids

DNA, RNA

What is the function of nucleic acids?

to store and transmit genetic information

What should you look for to see if something is a nucleic acid?

Phosphorus

Lipids are polar. (True or False)

False

How many types of amino acids are there?

20

The letter R is used in molecular structures to represent…

the “Rest of the molecule”. It consists of a group of carbon and hydrogen atoms of any size

What do nucleotides contain?

A 5-carbon sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous group

Saturated fat

hydrocarbon chains with only single bonds. Comes mainly from animals and is solid at room temp.

Unsaturated Fat

Hydrocarbon chains with both double and single bonds. Is liquid at room temp.

Enzymes

Globular proteins that speed of chemical reactions

What do enzymes reduce?

the amount of activation energy and time for a chemical reaction.

What do enzymes typically end with?

“ase”

What are some examples of enzymes?

catalase, amylase, lipase

Substrate

The substance that is the perfect match for an enzyme.

Active Sight

Where the substrate and the enzyme connect

Enzyme-substrate complex

a combined substrate and enzyme

What is another word for enzyme?

Catalyst

Activation energy

the energy needed to start a chemical reaction

Enzymes are reusable. (True or False)

True

What does shape equal?

Function

Enzymes undergo __________ ________, forming to the shape of the substrate.

conformational change

Reaction are _________ in colder temps.

slower

Reactions are _________ in warmer temps.

faster

Vmax

the maximum rate of reaction

There is not an optimal range of pH and temperature for enzymes. (true or false)

False

After the optimal range for enzymes is exceeded, the enzymes will _________

denature

Denature

lose the shape

What happens when enzymes denature?

They lose their function.

What can make enzymes denature?

low pH, high temp, high salinity

Inhibitor

a molecule which represses or prevents another molecule from engaging in a reaction

Activator

A particle that helps with enzyme activations