Unit 1: Biochemistry

Hypothesis

  • an explanation that is testable and verifiable for something specific

Theory

  • a broad framework of explanations based on extensive evidence and testing

Independent variable

  • a factor that is changed in order to determine its effect on the dependent

Dependent variable

  • a factor that is measured to determine the effect of the independent variable

Positive control

  • a group that proves the testing system is functioning and produces an already expected result

Negative control

  • a group where no change is expected, tests that there are no other affecting factors

Qualitative data

  • data that is interpretive, observation based

Quantitative data

  • data that is measurable and countable

Homeostasis

  • the process of a biological system self regulating itself to maintain stable internal conditions in order to survive

Negative feedback loop

  • counteracts change in order to put a system back in stable condition

Positive feedback loop

  • amplifies a change, pushing it to completion

Stimulus

  • change in the internal or external environment that triggers a change in behavior or physiological response

polar/hydrophilic

  • water loving

nonpolar/hydrophobic

  • water hating

adhesion

  • the attractive force between 2 difference substances

cohesion

  • the attractive force between the same substances

hydrogen bond

  • H bonded to O, N, F and is very attracted to lone electrons, strongest IMF

covalent bond

  • when electrons are shared

electronegativity

  • how well an atom attracts electrons in a shared chemical bond

heat capacity

  • how much energy it takes to increase the energy of something

density

  • how much matter is in a certain volume

pH scale

  • measures acidity and basicity

solvent

  • something that dissolves a solute

functional group

  •     a group of atoms attached to a carbon backbone of a molecule that determines its chemical properties and behaviors

monomer

  • individual molecules that build to make up polymers

polymer

  • make of monomers, long complex chains

dehydration synthesis

  • when 2 or more monomers bond together to form a polymer and release a molecule of H2O as a byproduct

hydrolysis

  • when water is used to break down the bonds of a substance

mono-/di-/polysaccharide

  • simple units of sugar that cannot be further broken down: glucose, fructose

  • double sugars that form when monosaccharides are bonded”: sucrose, lactose

  • long, complex carbohydrates made of chains of monosaccharides used for structural building and energy storage

    • starch and glycogen for energy storage

    • chitin and cellulose for building

amino acid

  • standard building blocks for proteins

polypeptide

  • chain of amino acids

peptide bond

  • the covalent bonds between amino acids making up polypeptides

nucleotide

  • basic structure of DNA and RNA

nucleic acid

  • large biomolecules for storing genetic information

saturated vs. unsaturated

  • molecule or solution that is filled/not filled to its max capacity

trans fat

triglyceride

OBJECTIVES:

Ch.1 - Scientific Method & Characteristics of Life

Identify characteristics shared by all living things.

  • made of one or more cells

  • can reproduce + pass on their genetic information

  • requires some form of energy in order to survive

  • maintains homeostasis

  • responds and adapts to their environment

Describe an example of how humans maintain homeostasis.

  • sweating

Compare and contrast negative feedback loops and positive feedback loops. Identify and give examples.

  • negative feedback loop- counteracts change in order to get things back to normal conditions

    • homeostasis

  • positive feedback loop- amplifies change in order to finish it to completion

    • contractions at birth

Identify or pose a testable question based on an observation, data, or a model.

Determine the null hypothesis and an alternative hypothesis to a scientific question.

  • null - assumption that there is no effect or change

  • alternative- assumption that there is a change or relationship between the variables

Explain what a scientific theory is versus a hypothesis.

  • scientific theories are broader and based on extensive evidence and studies while hypotheses are testable and verifiable by a specific test

Distinguish between qualitative and quantitative data.

  • one is observable and one is countable

Identify the independent and dependent variables in an experiment.

Determine the control group of an experiment.

Ch.2 - Water & Macromolecules

Understand basic chemistry knowledge:

  • Understand the relationship between atoms, elements, molecules, and ions.

    • atoms are the indivisible units of matter

    • elements are pure substances made of the only one type of atom

    • molecules are 2 or more bonded atoms

    • ions are atoms with a charge, imbalance of electrons and protons

  • Distinguish between a polar and nonpolar molecule.

    • electrons in polar molecules evenly shared

  • Explain electronegative, heat capacity, and density.

  • Explain the pH scale and the difference between acids and bases.

  • Distinguish between covalent bonds, ionic bonds, and hydrogen bonds.

Diagram and explain the polarity of a water molecule.

Explain and identify the properties of water. Relate them to how water is essential to life on Earth.

  • Cohesion, adhesion, surface tension, heat capacity, universal solvent, ice floats

    • cohesion and adhesion allows for capillary action, how water travels from the roots to the branches of a tree

    • surface tension allows life to life on water

    • heat capacity allows large bodies of water to absorb heat in the atmosphere in the summers and regulate temperatures

    • being universal solvent means that water can dissolve a wide range of solutes, allos water to carry oxygen

    • ice floats so life can still exist below the surface in bodies of water + insulates the bottom of the water

List the five main elements found in living things.

  • C, H, O, N, P

Explain why organic molecules are based on carbon.

  • carbon can bond 4 times

Describe the relationship between monomers and polymers.

Explain how polymers are made through dehydration synthesis and broken down via hydrolysis.

  • in dehydration synthesis, monomers bond to create a polymer through a covalent bond and release a water molecule as a byproduct

  • hydrolysis requires water in order to overcome the bonds between monomers in polymers

For each of the four main macromolecules:

  • Identify the monomer(s), polymer(s), main elements, functional groups, and common food sources.

  • Know the general structure to help you identify examples.

  • Describe the functions.

  • Give examples.

Explain the phrase “shape matters” in the context of biomolecules.

  • the 3D shape determines its biological activity + function

  • enzymes + active sites

Give examples that relate a molecule’s structure to its function.

Review Questions:

  1. What is the difference between null and alternative hypotheses?

  2. Are teenagers better at geometry than adults? Formulate a null hypothesis and an alternative hypothesis.

    1. there is no difference in age and geometry ability

    2. teenagers are better at geometry

  3. A group of students are interested in examining the potential effects of caffeine (from soda) on heart rate. One group of students hypothesized that soda consumption will not have an effect on heart rate, while another group proposed an alternative hypothesis that soda consumption will increase heart rate. What data would be expected if the alternative hypothesis was supported?

    1. the change in heart rate of someone who drank soda is significantly higher than someone else’s who did not drink soda

  4. How do researchers determine their independent and dependent variables? How are these variables often graphed (i.e. what is on the x-axis and what is on the y-axis)?

    1. IV are changed to determine its effect on the dependent variable

    2. IV is on the x axis and DV is on the y axis

  5. You are washing cars to earn money. For each car you wash you earn $10. Identify the independent and dependent variables.

    1. number of cars washed

    2. money earned

  6. What is the difference between controlled variables and a control group? What is the purpose behind having a control group?

  7. What is the difference between a positive control and a negative control?

    1. positive control: expected to change, determines that equipment is working

    2. negative factors: expected to not change, determines in the testing conditions don’t have any other factors

  8. You want to design an experiment to determine if a new drug has an impact on lowering blood pressure. Test subjects with high blood pressure are given a new medication in pill form. The percentage of patients whose blood pressure decreased is measured. What are good positive and negative controls?

    1. negative: having someone take placebo medicine

    2. positive: using a drug that already is proven to work

  9. What types of data can be collected in an experiment. Give examples of each.

  10. Name the characteristics that all living things have in common.

    1. the ability to reproduce and pass genetic info to their offspring

    2. able to maintain homeostasis

    3. consists of one or more cells

    4. needs energy

    5. responds and adapts to environment

  11. Define homeostasis. Give an example.

    1. the process of a biological system maintaining internal conditions in order to survive changes in environment

  12. Compare and contrast negative and positive feedback loops.

  13. When are negative feedback loops helpful? Give an example of a negative feedback loop.

  14. When are positive feedback loops helpful? Give an example of a positive feedback loop.

  15. Identify the five main elements that make up all living things.

  16. How are hydrogen bonds different from other types of bonds?

    1. IMFs

  17. Draw a few water molecules. Label the types of bonds found in and between the molecules.

  18. How does electronegativity affect the interactions between water molecules?

  19. Describe the properties of water. Give an example of each.

  20. Describe two ways in which the properties of water benefit organisms.

  21. Draw the chemical formula of these functional groups: hydroxyl, carboxyl, carbonyl, phosphate, amine.

  22. How do functional groups affect the structure and behavior of organic molecules?

    1. gives the overall molecule a specific characteristic or behavior that changes its function

  23. What makes carbon a versatile element? Why is it important to living things?

    1. can bond 4 times → creates complex, important biomolecules

  24. Draw an example of a hydrolysis reaction and a dehydration synthesis reaction.

  25. Explain water’s role in hydrolysis and dehydration synthesis reactions.

  26. Draw the general structure of an amino acid.

  27. How do the R groups of amino acids contribute to protein structure?

  28. How does saturation affect fatty acid structure and its behavior?

  29. What is trans fat?

  30. Identify the three components of a nucleotide.

  31. What are three structural differences between a DNA molecule and a RNA molecule?

    1. DNA has a double helix

    2. DNA uses thymine and RNA uses uracil

    3. the base of DNA is deoxyribose vs. RNA’s ribose