SPONCH Elements and Functional Groups

Vocabulary flashcards covering the SPONCH elements, their biomolecule types, and functional group structures and properties.

Phosphorus (P)

An element found in nucleic acids and one type of lipid known as a phospholipid.

Sulfur (S)

An element found in proteins.

Oxygen (O)

An element found in carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids, and proteins.

Nitrogen (N)

An element found in nucleic acids and proteins.

Carbon (C)

An element found in carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids, and proteins.

Hydrogen (H)

An element found in carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids, and proteins.

Hydroxyl group

A functional group with structure OH that is polar because of an electronegative oxygen atom and forms hydrogen bonds.

Carboxyl group

An acidic functional group found in cells in ionized form with a $-1$ charge that forms ionic and hydrogen bonds.

Amino group

A basic functional group that has a $+1$ charge in ionized form and forms ionic and hydrogen bonds.

Sulfhydryl group

A polar functional group with structure S-H where 2 sulfhydryl groups react forming a covalent bond between S atoms, called a disulfide bridge.

Phosphate group

A negatively charged functional group that forms ionic and hydrogen bonds.

Methyl group

A non-polar, uncharged, and hydrophobic functional group with structure C-H.

hydroxl

carboxyl

amino

sulfhydryl

phosphate

methyl