DAT Ch 4 Bio Flashcards
(21 cards)
What makes carbon so versatile in forming molecules?
Carbon has 4 valence electrons, allowing it to form 4 covalent bonds in many shapes (chains, rings, branches).
What is organic chemistry?
The study of compounds containing carbon.
What type of bond is typically formed by carbon atoms?
Covalent bonds.
What shape does a carbon atom form when bonded to 4 other atoms?
Tetrahedral shape.
What are isomers?
Molecules with the same molecular formula but different structures.
What are structural isomers?
Isomers that differ in covalent arrangement of atoms.
What are cis-trans isomers?
Isomers with the same covalent bonds but different spatial arrangements.
What are enantiomers?
Isomers that are mirror images of each other.
Why are enantiomers important in biology?
They can have drastically different effects in biological systems (e.g., drug activity).
What is a functional group?
A specific chemical group attached to a carbon skeleton that affects molecular function.
Name the 7 functional groups important in biology.
Hydroxyl, Carbonyl, Carboxyl, Amino, Sulfhydryl, Phosphate, Methyl.
What does the hydroxyl group (-OH) do?
Makes molecules polar and helps form hydrogen bonds.
Where is the carbonyl group (>C=O) found?
In ketones and aldehydes; found in sugars.
What does the carboxyl group (-COOH) do?
Acts as an acid by donating H+.
What does the amino group (-NH₂) do?
Acts as a base by picking up H+.
What does the sulfhydryl group (-SH) do?
Forms disulfide bridges in proteins (stabilizes structure).
What does the phosphate group (-OPO₃²⁻) do?
Transfers energy between molecules (e.g., ATP).
What does the methyl group (-CH₃) do?
Affects gene expression and molecular shape.
What is ATP?
Adenosine triphosphate; a molecule that stores and transfers energy in cells.
What kind of reaction involves ATP?
Energy transfer via breaking phosphate bonds (releases energy).
Why is molecular shape important?
Shape determines function and interaction with enzymes/receptors.
