Unit 1 Flashcards

Flashcards for key vocabulary and concepts from the Chemistry of Life notes to aid in AP Biology exam preparation.

Water

A molecule made of two hydrogen atoms covalently bonded to one oxygen atom; polar in nature.

Polar Compounds

Molecules like water that have distinct regions of charge due to bond structure.

Hydrogen Bonds

Weak bonds formed between a proton in one molecule and an electronegative atom of another.

Cohesion

The tendency of molecules of the same kind to stick together, important for surface tension in water.

Adhesion

The attraction of dissimilar molecules to each other, responsible for capillary action.

Macromolecules

Large biological molecules including carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids.

Polymers

Structures made of repeating smaller units called monomers, such as carbohydrates or proteins.

Dehydration Synthesis

A process where monomers are joined together to form polymers, releasing water.

Hydrolysis

A reaction that breaks down polymers into monomers using water.

Amino Acids

The building blocks of proteins, linked by peptide bonds.

Secondary Structure of Proteins

The folding of proteins into structures like alpha helices and beta sheets due to hydrogen bonding.

Tertiary Structure of Proteins

The three-dimensional shape of a protein formed by interactions between R groups.

Quaternary Structure of Proteins

Complex formed when multiple polypeptide chains come together.

Carbohydrates

Organic molecules that serve as immediate energy sources; made of (CH2O)n units.

Lipids

Nonpolar macromolecules, including fats and oils, made primarily from hydrocarbon chains.

DNA

The polymer of nucleotides that carries genetic information; consists of deoxyribose, phosphate, and nitrogenous bases.

RNA

A polymer of nucleotides similar to DNA but contains ribose and uracil instead of thymine.

Phosphodiester Bond

The bond that links the sugar and phosphate groups in the backbone of DNA and RNA.

Nucleotides

The building blocks of nucleic acids, consisting of a sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base.