Bio 191 Unit 2: Organic Molecules, Bonds, and Macromolecules

What is the basic unit of matter?

An atom

What subatomic particles make up an atom?

Protons, neutrons, and electrons

What does the atomic number represent?

The number of protons in an atom

What is the atomic mass approximately equal to?

The total number of protons and neutrons

What determines how likely two atoms are to interact?

The atomic number

What is the octet rule?

Atoms are most stable when they have 8 electrons in their outer shell

What is the difference between reactive and unreactive atoms?

Reactive atoms have unfilled outer shells, while unreactive atoms have filled outer shells

What are ionic bonds?

Bonds formed by the transfer of electrons from one atom to another

What are covalent bonds?

Bonds formed by the sharing of electrons between two atoms

What is a single covalent bond?

A bond where one pair of electrons is shared

What is a double covalent bond?

A bond where two pairs of electrons are shared

What distinguishes nonpolar covalent bonds from polar covalent bonds?

Nonpolar bonds involve equal sharing of electrons, while polar bonds involve unequal sharing

What are hydrophilic molecules?

Molecules that are attracted to water and can dissolve in it

What are hydrophobic molecules?

Molecules that repel water and do not dissolve in it

What are inorganic molecules?

Molecules that do not contain carbon-hydrogen (C-H) bonds

What are organic molecules characterized by?

The size and shape of the carbon skeleton and the functional groups attached

What is a monomer?

A molecule that can bind to others to form a polymer

What is a polymer?

A macromolecule made up of repeating units linked by covalent bonds

What is dehydration synthesis?

A process that joins monomers to form polymers by removing water

What is hydrolysis?

A process that breaks down polymers into monomers by adding water

What are the four types of macromolecules?

Proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids

What are proteins made of?

Monomers called amino acids linked by peptide bonds

What are carbohydrates formed from?

Monomers of simple sugars or monosaccharides

What are lipids characterized by?

Being hydrophobic and not having a common structural element

What are nucleic acids composed of?

Monomers called nucleotides, which consist of a phosphate, sugar, and nitrogenous base

What is the role of functional groups in organic molecules?

They determine the molecule's behavior and chemical reactions

What is the significance of the carbon skeleton in organic molecules?

It determines the overall shape of the molecule

What is the relationship between structure and function in organic compounds?

The structure of a molecule determines its function