Chemical Components of Cells Flashcards
Covalent Bonds
When atoms share electron(s)
Non-covalent bonds
Ionic bonds and Hydrogen bonds
Ionic bonds
When an atom gains or donates an electron leading to atoms with positive or negative charges.
Gain electron –> negative charge
Lose electron –> positive charge
Hydrogen Bonds
weak electrostatic interactions with single hydrogen shared between 2 electronegative atoms
Hydrophobic interactions
Water fearing interactions, interactions between groups insoluble in water, groups tend to group together to minimize exposure to water.
Van der Walls interaction- very weak interactions
Life supporting properties of H2O
About 70% of cell’s weight, good solvent, ice is solid form, less dense than liquid from, important to aquatic ecosystems
Acids
A molecule that is capable of donating a hydrogen atom
Base
A molecule that is capable of receiving a hydrogen atom
Amphoteric Molecule
A molecule that can serve as an acid or a base
Buffer
Solution that minimizes the fluctuation in pH; binds/ releases hydrogen
The nature of biological Molecules
Organic Chem. centers around the chemistry of carbon:
Carbon binds up to 4 other atoms since it has 4 outer shell electrons (8 are needed to fill the outer shell, octet rule)
Functional groups of biological molecules
Grouping of atoms with often behaves as a unit, responsible for physical and chemical properties:
OH- hydroxyl group
COOH- carboxyl group
SH- sulhydryl group
NH2- Amino Group
Macromolecules
Form structures and carry out cellular activities, usually huge and highly organized polymers.
Carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids
Monomers
Sugars—> polysaccharides (carbohydrates)
Amino Acids–> proteins
Nucleotides–> nucleic acids
Fatty acids–> lipids
Other important molecules
Metabolites- Metabolic intermediate, a compound formed along chemical pathways leading to end product
Vitamins- usually, small molecules adjunct to proteins
ATP- molecules for energy storage
Urea- metabolic waste product
