Molecules of Life

Vocabulary flashcards for the topic of molecules of life, covering key terms and definitions from the lecture notes.

Atom

The basic unit of matter, consisting of protons, neutrons, and electrons.

Covalent Bond

A strong bond formed when valence electrons are shared between atoms.

Ionic Bond

A bond formed when one atom donates an electron to another atom, resulting in attraction between oppositely charged ions.

Valence Electrons

Electrons located in the outermost orbital of an atom that determine how the atom can bond with others.

Hydrogen Bond

A weak bond involving a hydrogen atom and an electronegative atom, often found in water molecules.

Polar Molecule

A molecule with a partial positive charge on one end and a partial negative charge on the other end due to unequal sharing of electrons.

Nonpolar Molecule

A molecule that has no charge and electrons are shared equally, resulting in no distinct positive or negative ends.

Macromolecule

Large molecules made up of smaller building blocks (monomers), such as proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, and lipids.

Condensation Reaction

A chemical reaction where monomers combine to form polymers with the elimination of water.

Hydrolysis Reaction

A reaction where polymers are broken down into monomers by the addition of water.

pH

A measure of the concentration of protons (H+) in a solution, ranging from 0 (acidic) to 14 (alkaline).

Organic Molecule

Molecules that contain carbon and are essential for life.

Saturated Fatty Acid

A fatty acid with no double bonds between carbon atoms, typically solid at room temperature.

Unsaturated Fatty Acid

A fatty acid with one or more double bonds, typically liquid at room temperature.

Functional Group

A specific group of atoms within a molecule that is responsible for the characteristic reactions of that molecule.

Nucleotide

The building block of nucleic acids, composed of a sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base.

Polypeptide

A chain of amino acids linked by peptide bonds that fold into functional proteins.

Glycosidic Bond

The bond formed between monosaccharides during the formation of disaccharides and polysaccharides.

Phospholipid

A type of lipid that forms the structural foundation of cell membranes, consisting of a glycerol backbone, two fatty acids, and a phosphate group.