Acid-Base Properties, Scientific Method, and Macromolecules

Vocabulary flashcards reviewing acid vs base properties, scientific method variables, and biological macromolecule classes and assays.

Acid and Base Properties Chart

A comparison framework analyzing acids ($\text{pH} < 7$, increases $[\text{H}^+]$) and bases ($\text{pH} > 7$, decreases $[\text{H}^+]$) across pH, texture, $[\text{H}^+]$ impact, and representative examples.

Acid

A chemical compound with a $\text{pH} < 7$ that increases the $[\text{H}^+]$ concentration in an aqueous solution.

Base

A chemical compound with a $\text{pH} > 7$ that decreases the $[\text{H}^+]$ concentration in an aqueous solution.

Hypothesis

A testable explanation or proposed answer formulated to address a scientific question.

Control

An experimental setup or group kept unmanipulated to serve as a baseline standard for comparison.

Dependent Variable

The variable in an experiment that is observed or measured to test the effect of changing the independent variable.

Independent Variable

The variable in an experiment that is intentionally changed or controlled by the experimenter.

Scientific Method

A systematic series of steps used to investigate phenomena, including observation, asking a question, forming a hypothesis, conducting an experiment, analyzing data, and drawing a conclusion.

Macromolecules

Large, complex biological molecules—comprising carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids—that perform vital cellular functions.

Carbohydrates

A class of macromolecules serving as primary cellular energy sources and structural support, tested using assays such as Benedict's test or Iodine test.

Lipids

A class of macromolecules functioning in long-term energy storage, insulation, and membrane structure, tested using assays such as Sudan IV.

Proteins

A class of macromolecules responsible for enzymatic catalysis, cellular structure, transport, and defense, tested using the Biuret assay.

Nucleic Acids

A class of macromolecules that stores, transmits, and expresses genetic information, tested using assays such as the Dische diphenylamine test.

Macromolecule Assay

A specific chemical test or procedure used to detect the presence or absence of a given class of macromolecules in a sample.