General Chemistry and Biological Macromolecules Flashcards

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering fundamental chemical concepts, ions, water properties, mixtures, functional groups, lipids, carbohydrates, nucleic acids, and protein structures.

Proton

A subatomic particle located in the nucleus of an atom with a mass of $1\,amu$ and a positive ($+$) charge.

Neutron

A subatomic particle located in the nucleus of an atom with a mass of $1\,amu$ and no charge.

Electron

A subatomic particle located in electron shells around the nucleus with a mass of $\sim 0\,amu$ and a negative ($-$) charge.

Isomers

Molecules that share the same molecular formula (such as Glucose, Galactose, and Fructose with $C_6H_{12}O_6$) but possess different structural formulas.

Sodium Ion ($Na^+$)

The most common extracellular cation, essential for nerve and muscle electrical signaling, osmotic movement of water, and cotransport across plasma membranes.

Potassium Ion ($K^+$)

The most common intracellular cation, involved in nerve and muscle electrical signaling, glycogen storage in liver/muscle, and pH balance.

Calcium Ion ($Ca^{2+}$)

A cation that hardens bone and teeth, enables muscle contraction, exocytosis, blood clotting, and serves as a second messenger in hormonal stimulation.

Hydrogen Bond

A weak attraction formed between polar molecules, such as between water molecules due to the unequal sharing of electrons.

Amphipathic Molecule

A molecule containing both polar (hydrophilic) and nonpolar (hydrophobic) regions, such as phospholipids or bile salts.

pH Value

A measure of hydrogen ion ($H^+$) concentration ranging from 0 (acidic, high $[H^+]$) to 14 (basic, low $[H^+]$), with 7 being neutral ($[H^+] = [OH^-]$).

Suspension

A mixture containing large solutes or cells that scatter light and settle out of the liquid when not in motion, such as blood.

Colloid

A mixture containing medium-sized solutes that scatter light but do not settle out when remaining still, such as gelatin.

Emulsion

A mixture formed when a polar substance (water) and a nonpolar substance (oil) are agitated together.

Hydroxyl Group

A polar functional group ($-OH$) that forms hydrogen bonds and increases solubility in water, present in carbohydrates, proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids.

Carboxyl Group

A polar functional group ($-COOH$) that acts as an acid and forms hydrogen bonds, found in amino acids and fatty acids.

Dehydration Synthesis

A chemical reaction in which monomers are combined to form dimers or polymers by removing a molecule of water ($H_2O$).

Hydrolysis

A chemical reaction that breaks down polymers or dimers into monomers through the addition of a water molecule ($H_2O$).

Triglycerides

Lipids composed of one glycerol molecule and three fatty acids, serving as the main form of long-term energy storage, body insulation, cushioning, and structural support.

Lipogenesis

The synthesis of triglycerides from glycerol and three fatty acids via dehydration synthesis.

Glycogenesis

The metabolic pathway that converts excess glucose into glycogen for storage in tissues like the liver and skeletal muscle.

Purines

Double-ring nitrogenous bases consisting of Adenine (A) and Guanine (G), found in both DNA and RNA.

Pyrimidines

Single-ring nitrogenous bases consisting of Cytosine (C), Uracil (U, unique to RNA), and Thymine (T, unique to DNA).

Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP)

A nucleotide composed of adenine, ribose sugar, and three phosphate groups containing high-energy bonds, functioning as the cellular currency of chemical energy.

Primary Protein Structure

The linear sequence of amino acids connected together by covalent peptide bonds.

Secondary Protein Structure

Structural patterns in a protein formed by hydrogen bonds, creating localized Alpha helices (spiral coils) or Beta sheets (planar pleats).

Tertiary Protein Structure

The overall three-dimensional shape of a single polypeptide chain, categorized as either globular or fibrous.

Quaternary Protein Structure

The high-level protein structure resulting from the assembly of two or more distinct polypeptide chains.

Proline

A special amino acid whose ring structure introduces bends or kinks into a polypeptide chain.

Cysteine

A special amino acid containing a sulfhydryl group capable of forming covalent disulfide bonds within or between protein chains.

Methionine

A special amino acid that always serves as the initial amino acid in a newly synthesized protein sequence.