Chapter 2 Flashcards
What are waters passive and active roles in biological systems?
Passive- the structures of biomolecules are formed in response to reactions with water
Active- water is a participant in many biochemical reactions
How does water have a permanent dipole?
What functions does this give water?
The O has a partial negative charge (δ-) and the H has a partial positive charge (δ+)
Because of the dipole water can form electrostatic interactions with charged molecules and can form hydrogen bonds
Water can flip to present either positive or negative end to a bi ding molecule
What are hydrogen bonds?
Electrostatic interactions between an electronegative atom with a hydrogen linked (donor) to another electronegative atom with a free electron pair (acceptor)
Noncovalent and relatively weak (5% strength of a covalent bond)
How do you find which element is the donor and acceptor in hydrogen bonds?
The donor will have a direct bond to a hydrogen (———) while the acceptor will have the hydrogen attach to its free electrons (- - - -)
Can water serve as an acceptor and a donor in hydrogen bonds?
Why?
Yes since it has two hydrogen’s bonds directly and two free electron pairs attached to the oxygen
It donates and accepts two hydrogen bonds
What determines if a hydrogen bond is strong or weak?
If the donor and acceptor line up straight, they are stronger
R—-O——H- - - -O (strong)
R—-O——H
|
O (Weaker)
What is the heat of vaporization and specific heat capacity?
Heat of vaporization- the amount of heat required to vaporize a liquid at its boiling temp
Specific heat capacity- the amount of heat required to raise the temp of a substance one degree
The large number of hydrogen bonds in water contributes to making these high
What does isothermic mean?
Means to stay at constant temperature, most living organism need to regulate and maintain their temperatures
The high composition of water and high specific heat capacity helps us stay cool
What are the two reasons water is an extremely effective hydrogen bonder?
- Water can both accept and donate hydrogen bonds
2. Waters small size allows it to adopt optimal positioning for geometry of hydrogen bonding
Which type of molecules have the greatest solubility in water?
Molecules that carry charge (- or +) and/or participate in hydrogen bonds (donors or acceptors)
What are amphipathic molecules?
Molecules that contain both hydrophobic and hydrophilic portions
Ex: fatty acids
What are the polarities of hydrophilic and hydrophobic
Hydrophilic- polar
Hydrophobic- non polar
What happens when an amphipathic molecule is mixed with water?
The polar hydrophilic region interacts favourably with water but the non-polar regions cluster together to present the smallest hydrophobic surface to water
What do non covalent forces influence?
- formation and stabilization of structures of bio molecules
- recognition/interactions of one biomolecule with another
- binding of reactants to enzymes
What’s the difference between hydrogen bonds and ionic (electrostatic) interactions?
Hydrogen bonds are electrostatic interactions but since there are so many hydrogen bonds they have their own class
