Biomolecules and Water: Covalent Bonds, Condensation, Hydrolysis, Polarity, and Hydrogen Bonding (Page 1 Notes)

Flashcards covering Page 1 notes on biomolecule composition, covalent bonding, condensation vs hydrolysis, water polarity, electronegativity, and hydrogen bonding.

What elements are living things primarily made from according to Page 1 notes?

Carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen.

What type of bonds hold atoms together within organic molecules?

Covalent bonds.

What happens during a condensation (dehydration synthesis) reaction?

Two molecules join and a water molecule is removed.

What is hydrolysis?

A reaction that uses water to split molecules apart.

Why is water considered a polar molecule?

Electrons are not evenly distributed; oxygen is more electronegative and carries a partial negative charge while hydrogens carry partial positive charges.

Which atom in a water molecule tends to attract electrons more strongly, giving it a partial negative charge?

Oxygen.

Which atoms in a water molecule carry partial positive charges?

Hydrogen atoms.

Where do electrons tend to spend more time in a water molecule, and why?

Around the oxygen, due to its higher electronegativity, giving oxygen a partial negative charge while hydrogens become partially positive.

What are hydrogen bonds and where do they form?

Hydrogen bonds are attractions between a highly electronegative atom of a polar molecule and a bonded hydrogen, such as between water molecules.

How many valence electrons does oxygen have?

Six.