Biomolecules Flashcards
(25 cards)
Ionic Bonds
The transfer of electrons from one element to another (cations + anions -)
Covalent Bonds
Sharing of electrons between elements (may be single, double, or triple bonds)
Polar covalent bonds
Unequal sharing of electrons between atoms; leaving partially positive/negative spots (oxygen-hydrogen, nitrogen-hydrogen usually)
Van der Waals Interactions
Electrons accumulating (by chance) in one area of a molecule, causing changing regions of positive and negative regions in a molecule. Other molecules can be attracted to these regions if close
Hydrogen Bonds
When a hydrogen atom bonded to a strongly electronegative atom get attracted to another strongly electronegative atom
What are the inorganic compounds important to biology?
Water, Acids, Bases, Buffers, and Salts
H2O’s Properties
-Able to form hydrogen bonds with oxygen and other negatively charged atoms
-Has high Adhesion
-Has excellent thermal capabilities
Acids are…
Compounds that produce hydronium ions in water (H3O+)
Bases are…
-Compounds that contain hydroxide (Ex- NaOH, CaOH)
Water’s pH
7 @ 25 degrees
Solutions that have a pH under 7 are…
Acidic
Solutions that have a pH above 7 are…
Alkaline
Why are buffers necessary in the body?
They help maintain a stable pH in biological systems
Salts are formed when…
An acid and a base undergo a neutralization reaction
What atoms make up the bulk of important organic compounds in biology? (Hint: there are 5)
Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen, and Phosphorus
Dehydration Synthesis
Compounds or monomers lose water (one loses a hydrogen, the other a hydroxide that form water together) and combine into a polymer
Hydrolysis
A large polymer is broken down by adding a water molecule
The Biological Sub-Molecules important to biology are…
Simple Hydrocarbons, Ketones, Organic Acids, and Alcohol
Ketones are…
Compounds containing a carbonyl group (carbon double bonded to oxygen). A change in the location of the carbonyl group changes the molecule
Ex- Acetone
Carboxylic Acid (or a “carboxylic group”) is the result of…
A carbonyl group and a hydroxyl group on each end of a hydrocarbon
Ex- Acetic Acid/Vinegar
Alcohol is designated by…
A hydroxyl group attached at any point on a hydrocarbon
Ex- Ethanol
A Hydrocarbon is…
A compound made of carbon and hydrogen only
Ex- Ethane
Proteins are…
-Large molecules that form parts of the cytoplasm, hormones, antibodies, antigens, muscles, and help provide structure to cartilage and keratin
-polymers of amino acids
-joined via dehydration synthesis
Amino Acids consist of what?
Two functional groups:
An Amine (NH2) and a Carboxyl group (COOH) joined to a central carbon that is attached to an R-group
H H O
| | ||
H - N - C - C
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R O - H
