Garneau Unit 1 Study Guide: Biochemistry

Flashcards covering key biochemistry concepts from Garneau Unit 1 notes, including elements, atoms, bonds, properties of water, pH, organic molecules (carbs, lipids, proteins), enzymes, and sample practice questions.

What is an element?

The basic substance that cannot be broken down into simpler substances by chemical means; building blocks of matter.

What is an atom?

The smallest unit of an element that retains its properties; composed of protons, neutrons, and electrons.

Which six elements are most common in living organisms?

Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Sulfur (CHNOPS).

Describe covalent bonds.

Atoms share electrons to form covalent bonds.

Describe ionic bonds.

One atom transfers electrons; the resulting oppositely charged ions attract each other.

What type of bond forms between water molecules?

Hydrogen bonds.

What does cohesion refer to in water?

Water molecules sticking to each other via hydrogen bonds.

What does high heat capacity of water mean?

Water can absorb a lot of heat, helping to regulate temperature.

What is meant by water being a universal solvent?

Water dissolves many substances, facilitating chemical reactions.

What is the pH of pure water?

7 (neutral) on the pH scale.

Where do most life processes occur on the pH scale?

Around pH 7 (neutral).

Identify an exception to neutral pH in the human body.

Stomach acid (low pH).

How can you identify a molecule as organic?

If it contains carbon.

What do the prefixes mono- and poly- mean?

Mono = one/single; Poly = many.

What are the monomer and polymer for polysaccharides?

Monomer: Monosaccharide; Polymer: Polysaccharide; Formation via dehydration synthesis.

What are the monomer and polymer for proteins?

Monomer: Amino acid; Polymer: Protein (polypeptide).

What is the monomer for triglycerides?

Fatty acid.

What is the polymer for triglycerides?

Triglyceride.

What type of reaction forms polysaccharides and proteins?

Dehydration synthesis (condensation).

What is the function of carbohydrates (monosaccharides) in energy terms?

Monosaccharides provide a short burst of energy; polysaccharides store energy for longer use.

Give examples of simple carbohydrates.

Glucose, fructose, galactose.

Give examples of complex carbohydrates.

Starch, cellulose, glycogen.

What process breaks down carbohydrates to produce ATP?

Cellular respiration.

What are triglycerides and why are they important?

Triglycerides are fats used for energy storage; saturated fats have all single bonds; unsaturated fats have double bonds and are typically from plants.

What is the function of phospholipids in cells?

Building blocks of the cell membrane; form a phospholipid bilayer with a hydrophilic head and hydrophobic tails.

What is a sterol and what is its role?

Sterols are steroid molecules derived from cholesterol; they form hormones such as testosterone and estrogen.

What are the two primary functions of proteins?

Structural materials for body structures and enzymes that catalyze chemical reactions.

What is the monomer that makes up proteins?

Amino acids.

What happens to an enzyme when it is outside its optimal conditions?

Enzyme activity falls rapidly due to denaturation.

What were the enzyme’s optimal temperature and pH described, and what does denaturation mean in this context?

Optimal temperature ~32°C and optimal pH ~6.5; outside these, activity drops as the enzyme becomes denatured.

Name two factors that can denature proteins.

High heat and extreme pH (high or low).

How do enzymes function with lactose and lactase?

Lactase binds lactose at its active site, cleaving it into monosaccharides, which are released and the enzyme can catalyze more reactions.

Which element is suggested as most abundant in organic fertilizers made from animal products in the notes?

phosphorus

To which category of biological molecules does cellulose belong?

Carbohydrates.

Paramecium osmoregulation illustrates which characteristic of living things?

Metabolism (regarding cellular processes; often linked to homeostasis in osmoregulation in context).

Which biomolecule stores energy as solid fats in bears?

Lipids (triglycerides).

Which molecule in the table is a carbohydrate?

Monosaccharide (3).

What is the chemical formula of glucose?

C6H12O6.

What is the primary function of glucose in cells?

Quick (instant) energy.

Name two larger molecules that can be built from simple sugars.

Glycogen and starch (also cellulose).

What type of reaction links simple sugars to form larger carbohydrates?

Dehydration synthesis.

What happens if there is a shortage of glucose in cells?

Cells may break down fats for energy; risk of fatigue, impaired function, and potentially death if prolonged.

What is the overall equation for cellular respiration involving glucose and oxygen?

C6H12O6 + 6O2 → 6CO2 + 6H2O + ATP.