LS Bio Chapter 2: The Chemistry of Life

LS Biology

Hydrogen Bond

weak attraction between a slightly positive hydrogen atom and another atom that is slightly negative

Cohesion

Attraction between molecules of the same substance

Adhesion

An attraction between molecules of different substances

Mixture

Material composed of two or more elements or compounds that are physically mixed together but not chemically combined.

Solution

A mixture that forms when one substance dissolves another.

Solute

Substance that is dissolved in a solution

Solvent

the substance in which the solute dissolves

Suspensions

mixtures of water and non dissolved material

pH Scale

scale with values from 0-14, used to measure the concentration of H+ ions in a solution

Acid

a compound that forms hydrogen ions (H+) in a solution; a solution with a pH of less than 7

Base

a compound that produces hydroxide ions (OH) in a solution; a solution with a pH of more than 7

Buffer

a compound that prevents sharp, sudden changes in pH

Monomer

small chemical unit that makes up a polymer

Polymers

molecules composed of many monomers; makes up macromolecules

Carbohydrate

Compound made up of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms, a major source of energy for the human body.

Lipid

Macromolecule made mainly from carbon and hydrogen atoms including fat, oils and waxes.

Nucleotides

subunit of which nucleic acids are composed; made up of a 5-carbon sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogen base

Nucleic Acid

Macromolecule containing hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, carbon and phosphorus.

Protein

macromolecule that contains carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen

Amino Acid

Compound with an amino group at one end and a carboxyl group on the other end.