AP Bio Unit 1 (chemistry of life)

What are the four major macromolecules in living organisms?

Carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.

What is the basic unit of carbohydrates?

Monosaccharides.

What are lipids primarily composed of?

Hydrocarbon chains.

What is the function of proteins in biological systems?

They serve as enzymes, structural components, and signaling molecules.

What are nucleotides made of?

A sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base.

What is the role of water in biological systems?

Water is a solvent, a temperature buffer, and is involved in biochemical reactions.

What is an ion?

An atom or molecule with a net electric charge due to the loss or gain of one or more electrons.

Describe a polar covalent bond.

A bond where electrons are shared unequally between atoms, resulting in a molecule that has a partial charge.

What is the pH scale used for?

To measure the acidity or basicity of a solution.

What happens to proteins at high temperatures?

High temperatures can denature proteins, altering their structure and function.

What is the significance of enzyme-substrate specificity?

Enzymes catalyze specific biochemical reactions and their specificity prevents unwanted reactions.

What is a buffer solution?

A solution that resists changes in pH when acids or bases are added.

Define cohesion in the context of water properties.

Cohesion is the phenomenon where water molecules are attracted to each other due to hydrogen bonding.

Define adhesion in the context of water properties.

Adhesion is the attraction between water molecules and other substances.

What is the main function of DNA?

To store and transmit genetic information.

What is the difference between saturated and unsaturated fats?

Saturated fats contain no double bonds between carbon atoms, while unsaturated fats have one or more double bonds.

What is hydrolysis?

The process of breaking down complex molecules by the addition of water.

What is the importance of functional groups in organic molecules?

Functional groups determine the reactivity and properties of the organic molecules.

Name one example of a disaccharide.

Sucrose, lactose, or maltose.

What is the primary structure of proteins?

The sequence of amino acids in a polypeptide chain.

What is the significance of activation energy in chemical reactions?

Activation energy is the energy required to start a reaction, affecting the rate of the reaction.

Describe the relationship between genotype and phenotype.

Genotype refers to the genetic makeup of an organism, while phenotype is the observable traits expressed.

What characterizes a base in a chemical context?

A substance that can accept protons or donate electron pairs.

What is a peptide bond?

The covalent bond formed between two amino acids during protein synthesis.

What are vesicles?

Small membrane-bound sacs that transport substances within a cell.

Define metabolism.

The sum of all chemical reactions that occur within a living organism.