Biol 101: Molecules of Life Study Guide

Organic molecules

Molecules that contain carbon and hydrogen.

Inorganic molecules

Molecules that do not contain both carbon and hydrogen.

Native state

The state a compound takes under normal conditions.

CH4

An organic molecule.

NH3

An inorganic molecule.

Carbon versatility

Carbon molecules are versatile as molecular ingredients due to their ability to form four covalent bonds.

Atomic number of carbon

6

Electrons in outer shell of carbon

4

Covalent bonds

Bonds formed by sharing electrons.

Single bond (C-C)

Indicates that two electrons are being shared.

Double bond (C=C)

Indicates that four electrons are being shared.

Hydrocarbon

A molecule made of just carbon and hydrogen.

Functional group

A combination of atoms attached to the carbon backbone which always reacts in the same way.

Hydroxyl group (OH)

Confers alcohol properties to the molecule.

Carboxyl group (COOH)

Confers acid properties to the molecule.

Acidic property of COOH

It can donate a proton (H+) in water.

Amino group (NH2)

Confers amine properties to the molecule.

Phosphate group (PO4)

Makes the molecule negatively charged.

Amino acid functional groups

Contains both amino and carboxyl groups.

Isomer

Two molecules with the same chemical formula but different structures.

Macromolecule

A large molecule made of many monomers.

Monomer

A small molecule that's strung together to make a larger molecule.

Dimer

Two monomers stuck together.

Dehydration synthesis

The reaction that builds polymers by removing a molecule of water.

Hydrolysis

The reaction that breaks down polymers by adding water.

Energy release in hydrolysis

Hydrolysis releases energy.

Energy requirement in dehydration synthesis

Dehydration synthesis requires the addition of energy.

Enzymes in reactions

They speed up hydrolysis or dehydration synthesis reactions by lowering the activation energy needed.

Carbohydrates chemical formula ratio

Has CHO in a ratio of 1:2:1.

Lipids chemical composition

Contains CHO but many more C than O.

Proteins chemical composition

Contains CHON.

Nucleic acids chemical composition

Contains CHONP.

C10H20O2

Identified as a lipid.

C6H12O6

Identified as a carbohydrate.

Monomers of carbohydrates

Includes glucose, fructose, galactose, ribose, and deoxyribose.

Chemical formula of Ribose

C5H12O5.

C5H12O5

Chemical formula for ribose.

RNA

Where ribose is found.

C5H10O4

Chemical formula for deoxyribose.

DNA

Where deoxyribose is found.

Sucrose

Made of glucose and fructose.

Lactose

Made of galactose and glucose.

Maltose

Made of glucose and glucose.

Starch

Energy storage molecule of plants.

Glycogen

Short term energy storage molecule of animals.

Cellulose

Structural molecule in cell walls of plants.

Chitin

Structural molecule in exoskeletons, shells, and cell walls of insects, crabs, and fungi.

Lipids

Long term energy storage molecule in animals.

Hydrophobic

Property of lipids indicating they do not mix with water.

Triglyceride

Made of 1 glycerol with 3 fatty acids.

Saturated fatty acids

Have single bonds between the carbons.

Unsaturated fatty acids

Have carbon-carbon double bonds.

Solid

State of saturated fats at room temperature.

Cholesterol

Precursor for all steroids.

Phospholipid

Has 2 fatty acids and a phosphate group, differing from triglycerides which have 3 fatty acids.

Hydrophilic

The head part of a phospholipid.

Protein functions

Structural, contractile, transport, and enzymes.

Amino acids

Monomers of proteins that form peptide bonds with each other.

Amino acid structure

Central carbon, amino group, carboxyl group, hydrogen, R group.

Functional groups in amino acids

Amino and carboxyl group.

Primary structure

Level of protein organization with a straight chain of amino acids.

Secondary structure

Level where alpha helix and beta sheet form.

Tertiary structure

Level where the 3D structure of a protein emerges.

Quaternary structure

Level where several polypeptides come together to make a protein.

Chaperone

Protein that monitors folding.

Prions

Misfolded proteins.

Sickle cell anemia

Example of how one wrong amino acid affects hemoglobin, causing sickle shape and reduced oxygen carrying capacity.

Denatured protein

Inactive protein due to loss of shape, which leads to loss of function.

Nucleotide

Monomers of nucleic acids.

Parts of a nucleotide

Phosphate, sugar, base.

Deoxyribose

Sugar present in DNA.

Ribose

Sugar present in RNA.

DNA bases

A, T, G, C.

RNA bases

A, U, G, C.

Hydrogen bonds between A and T

Two.

Hydrogen bonds between G and C

Three.

Purines

Bases A and G.

Pyrimidines

Bases T and C.

Double helix

Term used by Watson and Crick to describe DNA structure.