gen bio outline 3 (new)

Why is carbon able to form large, complex organic molecules?

It has 4 valence electrons, allowing it to form 4 stable covalent bonds.

What are hydrocarbons?

Molecules made only of Carbon and Hydrogen

What are hydrocarbons physical properties?

they are nonpolar and hydrophobic (water-fearing)

What is a functional group?

A group of atoms attached to a carbon skeleton that replaces Hydrogen, changing the molecule's shape and chemical properties

Hydroxyl group

• Polar

• neutral

• Hydrophilic

• Found in alcohols

Carbonyl group

• Polar (but less than OH)

• neutral

• Hydrophilic

• Found in sugars

Carboxyl group

• acidic

• polar

• Hydrophilic

• Found in amino acids and fatty acids

Amino group

• Basic

• Can be polar or nonpolar

• Hydrophilic

• Found in amino acids

Phosphate group

• Acidic

• polar

• Hydrophilic

• Found in phospholipids, nucleic acids, and ATP

Methyl group

• Nonpolar

• neutral

• Hydrophobic

• Involved in DNA methylation

What is the difference between a monomer and a polymer?

Monomers are small, repeating building blocks. Polymers are long chains made by linking those monomers together.

What are the chemical reactions used to build polymers?

Dehydration synthesis

What are the chemical reactions used to break down polymers?

Hydrolysis

Which of the 4 biological macromolecule classes is not a true polymer

Lipids

Monosaccharide

A single sugar monomer (e.g., glucose)

Polysaccharide

A large polymer made of hundreds to thousands of monosaccharides

What type of bond connects carbohydrate monomers?

A glycosidic linkage

What are the two primary functions of polysaccharides, with examples?

• Storage: Starch (plants) and Glycogen (animals).

• Structure: Cellulose (plant walls) and Chitin (fungi/arthropods)

What universal property is shared by all lipids?

highly hydrophobic and do not dissolve in water

What type of bond is commonly used to build lipids?

An ester bond

What are the components and main function of Fats (Triglycerides)?

Made of Glycerol + fatty acids; used primarily for energy storage

Why are phospholipids considered "amphipathic"?

They have both a hydrophilic (water-loving) phosphate head and hydrophobic (water-fearing) fatty acid tails. This structure forms cell membranes

What is the structural hallmark of a steroid?

A distinct fused ring structure. (Used for cell membranes and hormone signaling)

What are the 5 core components that make up an amino acid?

• A central Carbon attached to a Hydrogen

• a carboxyl group

• amino group

• a variable R group (side chain)

What bond connects amino acids together, and what chain does it form?

Connected by peptide bonds to form a polypeptide chain

What are the 5 major functions of proteins in cells?

• Structure

• signaling/communication

• enzymes

• defense

• transport

What is protein denaturation?

When a protein loses its shape (and structural stability), causing it to lose its function.

What is the monomer of a nucleic acid?

Nucleotides (made of a sugar, a phosphate, and a nitrogenous base)

What are the two main types of nucleic acids and their function?

• DNA and RNA

• Used to store and transmit genetic info

Formula for Hydroxl

—OH

Formula for Carbonyl

=O

Formula for Carboxyl

—COOH

Fomrula for Methyl

—CH₃

Formula for Amino

—NH₂

Formula for Phosphate

—PO₄H²

polar

unequal sharing of electrons that creates positive and negative ends

nonpolar

electrons shared equally with a balanced charge

Dehydration Synthesis

removes water

Hydrolysis

adds water