Biological Molecules (basics) Flashcards

1
Q

What’s an element?

A

A compound composed of one type of atom

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2
Q

What does pure carbon consist of?

A

Only of atoms with six protons and six electrons

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3
Q

How many bonds has Carbon typically got and where is it found?

A

4 bonds

Carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, & nucleic acids

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4
Q

How many bonds has Hydrogen typically got and where is it found?

A

1 bond

Is found in carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and nucleic acids

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5
Q

How many bonds has Oxygen typically got and where is it found?

A

2 bonds

Carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and nucleic acids

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6
Q

How many bonds has Nitrogen typically got and where is it found?

A

3 bonds

Proteins and nucleic acids

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7
Q

How many bonds has Sulphur typically got and where is it found?

A

3-5 bonds

Proteins

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8
Q

How many bonds has Phosphorus typically got and where is it found?

A

2 bonds

Nucleic acids

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9
Q

What are other important elements?

A

Sodium, potassium, calcium & iron

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10
Q

How do atoms connect with one another?

A

By forming bonds

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11
Q

Molecules contain more than one atom which are connected together by?

A

Intramolecular bonds (bond within the same molecule)

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12
Q

Molecules can be either?

A

Elements (oxygen gas O2 or Nitrogen gas N2)

OR

Compounds - which comprise more than one element (glucose C6H12O6)

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13
Q

what depends on the way that atoms bond with one another?

A

Depends on the number of electrons in the outer orbital of the atom

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14
Q

Compounds can have either bonds?…

A

Covalent bonds (C6H12O6)

Or

Ionic bonds (NaCl)

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15
Q

Explain covalent bonding

A

A covalent bond occurs when two atoms share a pair of electrons

The electrons used to form the bond are unpaired and present in the outer orbital of the atom

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16
Q

Give an example of when the sharing is equal

A

Oxygen gas (O2)

17
Q

give an example of when the sharing is unequal

A

water (H2O)

18
Q

Explain how unequal electron sharing works

A

When the sharing of the electrons is unequal, the atom that has the greater share of electrons becomes slightly negatively charged (delta-, meaning slight negative charge)

The Atom that has the lesser share of the electrons becomes slightly positively charged (delta+)

19
Q

what does a molecule having a polar nature mean?

A

Where electrons are unequally share a molecule

(Water because of the unequal sharing of electrons)

20
Q

What happens in ionic bonding?

A

One atom in the pair donates an electron and the other receives it.

This forms positive and negative ions that are held together by the attraction of the opposite charges

21
Q

CATIONS=

A

Positively charged ions

22
Q

ANIONS

A

Negatively charged ions

23
Q

Why are ionic compounds not molecules?

A

Because ionic compounds have ions arranged in a giant lattice structure even in solid state.

So each of the Ion is attracted to many oppositely charged ions around it.

It is not possible to pin point which of the ion is linked to which particular ions

So ionic compounds do not exist as molecules

24
Q

What are calcium ions necessary for?

A
  • nerve impulse transmission
  • muscle contraction
25
Q

What are sodium ions necessary for?

A
  • nerve impulse transmission
  • kidney function
26
Q

What are potassium ions necessary for?

A
  • nerve impulse transmission
  • stomatal opening
27
Q

What are hydrogen ions necessary for?

A
  • catalysis of reactions
  • pH determination
28
Q

What are ammonium ions necessary for?

A
  • production of nitrate ions by bacteria
29
Q

What are nitrate ions necessary for?

A
  • nitrogen supply to plants for amino acid and protein formation
30
Q

What are hydrogen carbonate ions necessary for?

A

Maintenance of blood pH

31
Q

What are chloride ions necessary for?

A
  • balance positive charge of sodium
  • potassium ions in cells
32
Q

What are phosphate ions necessary for?

A
  • cell membrane formation
  • nucleic acid & ATP formation
  • bone formation
33
Q

What are hydroxide ions necessary for?

A
  • catalysis of reactions
  • pH determination
34
Q

What are polymers?

A

Biological molecules are often polymers

Polymers are long chain molecules made up by linking of multiple individual molecules (called monomers) in a repeating pattern

35
Q

What are the monomers in carbohydrates ?

A

Sugars (saccharides)

36
Q

What are the monomers in protein?

A
  • amino acids