UNIT 1: BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES

carbon

central atom to all living things; necessary for ORGANIC molecules; has tetravalence

polymer

long chains of smaller monomers/building blocks

monomer

small building blocks that make up polymers

hydrocarbons

long chains of carbon and hydrogen covalently bonded together

isomer

molecules with the same number of atoms and same elements, but different structures (and thus different properties and functions)

methyl group

Consists of a carbon atom bonded to three hydrogen atoms. Affects gene expression; often tags DNA

hydroxyl group

functional group - alcohols, polar, helps dissolve organic compounds like sugar

carbonyl group

functional group - ketones or aldehydes, sugars

carboxyl group

found in an amino acid

amino group

nitrogen bonded to two hydrogens;one part of an amino acid

sulfhydryl

forms "bridges" in proteins, "cross-linking" to stabilize protein structure

phosphate group

activates molecules, transfers energy between organic molecules; found in nucleic acids

dehydration synthesis

builds polymers by joining monomers; requires removal of H2O

hydrolysis

breaks down polymers by removing monomers; requires addition of H2O

carbohydrates

polymer that functions as an immediate source of energy, storage, or structural support. Monomers are monosaccharides

types of polysaccharides

starch, glycogen, cellulose, and chitin

function of starch and glycogen

short-term energy storage in plants (starch) and animals (glycogen)

lipids

long-term energy storage, insulation, protection, shock absorption; polymer that includes fats, phospholipids, steroids

difference between saturated and unsaturated fat

saturated - solid at room temp, comes from animals, contains only single bonds

unsaturated - liquid at room temp, comes from plants, contains at least one double bond

function of steroids

signaling, hormones, some vitamins

proteins

polymer that is used for transport, structural support., includes enzymes; Monomers are amino acids

primary protein structure

sequence of amino acids

secondary protein structure

amino acid sequence interacts to form alpha helices and beta-pleated sheets

tertiary protein structure

alpha helices and beta-pleated sheets interact within the same polypeptide chain; some proteins only reach this level

quaternary protein structure

multiple polypeptide chains interact to form a protein

denaturation

process of protein structure being disrupted and unfolding; renders protein nonfunctional

nucleic acids

stores and transports genetic information; Monomers are nucleotides; types include RNA & DNA;

Elements necessary for life

oxygen (O), carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and hydrogen (H), phosphorus (P), sulfur (s)

atomic number

number of protons in an element

mass number

number of protons plus number of neutrons

isotopes

atoms that have a different number of neutrons than normal

valence electrons

electrons found in the outermost "shell" orbiting the nucleus of an atom

atoms with a complete valence shell...

will not react with any other atom

chemical bonds

attractions that hold atoms together

three main types of chemical bonds

covalent, ionic, hydrogen

bonds that share electrons

covalent

polar covalent bonds have...

unbalanced partial charges

NaCl (sodium chloride) is connected by which type of bond?

ionic

weak attractions that result from polar covalent or ionic molecules being attracted to other polar covalent or ionic molecules.

hydrogen

water and DNA contain these special types of bonds in addition to covalent bonds

hydrogen

cohesion

bonding of water molecules sticking to neighboring water molecules through hydrogen bonds

adhesion

clinging of water molecules to other substances

surface tension

a measure of how difficult it is to stretch or break the surface of a liquid

capillary action

transport of water and dissolved nutrients against gravity, usually in plants

what emergent property of water is responsible for water regulating regional and global climate?

high specific heat/high heat of vaporization/evaporative cooling

Water property responsible for ice insulating frozen ponds and lakes rather than killing everything in it?

unique density

Universal solvent

it can dissolve most polar and ionic substances

solvent

dissolving agent in a solution; usually water

solute

substance being dissolved

hydrophilic

water-loving; any substance that has an affinity for water; polar substances

hydrophobic

water-fearing; any substance that repels water; nonpolar substances

pH

measure of the concentration of hydrogen ions (H+) in a solution

acid (definition and pH)

substance that increases [H+] of a solution; pH 0 - 6.99

base (definition and pH)

substance that reduces [H+] of a solution; increases [OH-] of a solution; pH 7.01 - 14

buffer

substance that minimizes changes in [H+] and [OH-]; resists changes in pH