molecules of life module 1

Flashcards covering basic concepts in The Molecules of Life

Atom

Consists of protons, neutrons, and electrons.

Element

Contains only one type of atom.

Atomic Number

The number of protons in an atom.

Atomic Mass

The number of protons plus the number of neutrons in an atom.

Isotopes

Atoms with the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons.

Orbitals

Regions of space where electrons are located.

Molecule

Two or more atoms held together by chemical bonds.

Chemical Bonds

The attractive forces that hold atoms together in molecules.

Covalent Bond

A chemical bond formed by the sharing of one or more electrons between atoms.

Polar Covalent Bond

A covalent bond where electrons are unequally shared between atoms, resulting in partial charges.

Nonpolar Covalent Bond

A covalent bond where electrons are equally shared between atoms.

Ionic Bond

A chemical bond resulting from the electrostatic attraction between oppositely charged ions.

Hydrophilic

Molecules that readily dissolve in water (water-loving).

Hydrophobic

Molecules that do not dissolve in water (water-fearing).

Organic Molecules

Molecules containing carbon.

Proteins

Organic molecules that provide structural support and act as catalysts (enzymes).

Nucleic acids

Organic molecules that encode and transmit genetic information.

Carbohydrates

Organic molecules that provide structural support and a source of energy.

Lipids

Organic molecules that Make up cell membranes, store energy, and are important in cell communication; are grouped together because they share the same physical property—they are all hydrophobic

Amino acid

Subunit of proteins.

Peptide bond

The covalent bond that joins amino acids together.

Nucleotide

Building blocks of nucleic acids.

Phosphodiester bond

The type of bond that joins two nucleotides together.

Monosaccharides

Simple sugars

Glycosidic bonds

Bonds between sugar molecules.

Fatty acids

A type of lipid, are long chains of carbon with a carboxyl group at the end.

van der Waals interactions

Weak, short-range electrostatic attractive forces between uncharged molecules, arising from the interaction of permanent or transient electric dipole moments.